Sailor Injured in Flare Accident on board HMAS Waller

On Wednesday night a sailor onboard the Navy submarine HMAS Waller suffered minor injuries as a result of the inadvertent activation of a pyrotechnic flare.

The injured sailor was treated by medics on board and transferred to Royal Perth hospital early this morning.  The family of the injured sailor have been informed.

HMAS Waller sustained superficial damage only and was able to remain at sea.  HMAS Waller will return to its home base at HMAS Stirling inWestern  Australia this morning for a short period.

HMAS Waller had just completed an anti-submarine exercise with HMAS Toowoombaand Sirius in the Western Australian Exercise areas off Fremantle at the time of the incident.

The Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane said he has been monitoring the situation closely.

“The most important thing is that this sailor is getting the best possible treatment,” CN said.

“I would like to commend the crew ofWallerfor their quick response to what could have been a far more serious incident.”

The launching of flares from a submerged submarine is a normal method of communicating with ships on the surface. The submarine uses the flares to indicate either it's position, the launch of a simulated torpedo attack or an emergency situation.

The incident is now under investigation and further details can not be provided.