Document #1 29 January 2010 CONTINGENCY MEDIA TALKING POINTS Background (NOT FOR MEDIA RELEASE) Media reported on 18 January that an Afghan community leader in Australia claimed that a boat carrying 105 Afghan persons seeking to enter Australia had left Indonesia on 2 October 2009 and had not arrived. Several of the media reports carried the comment that Australian Government agencies had no knowledge of such a boat. All media enquiries on this topic should be referred to Customs and Border Protection. Talking Points • People smuggling operations place vulnerable people in unsafe vessels for a long and hazardous journey to Australia. • Working with other agencies, Border Protection Command detects reports and responds to threats in the offshore maritime area – including people smuggling. When did you find out about the vessel? Customs and Border Protection was monitoring a number of potential vessel departures from Indonesia to Australia in late September – early October 2009. Information received on 3 October suggested that a maritime-based people smuggling vessel may have left Indonesia on 2 October and experienced some difficulties the following day. Subsequent credible information received later that day indicated that these difficulties had been resolved. What steps did you take on receiving this information? Upon receiving the reports of a vessel in distress, Customs and Border Protection provided the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) with all relevant information. AMSA is the agency responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations in Australia’s Search and Rescue Zone. RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #1 The Australian Government also communicated this information with the Indonesian Government as the vessel was reportedly in Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Zone. Surveillance activities that day by Border Protection Command did not detect a vessel in distress What was the result of this action? On 3 October, actions by the Indonesian authorities and Border Protection Command surveillance did not detect a vessel in distress. There has been no confirmation of the alleged vessel’s current location. What are you doing to resolve this? Customs and Border Protection will continue to seek information that may shed light on the fate of the alleged vessel and its passengers. Starting in November, Australian agencies received reports of people who may have departed Indonesia on a vessel in October 2009 and have not arrived in Australia. If pressed: Are the two incidents- missing boat and missing persons- related? The missing vessel reported in the media on 18 January and the information received and acted upon regarding a vessel in difficulty on 3 October may be related, but not with certainty. Prepared by Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media Date 29 January 2010 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 2 Document #1 Drafted Drafted by: Name Belinda Cole Appointment Media Manager DATE 29/01/10 CLEARANCE Drafted Drafted by: Clearance Customs and Border Protection Customs and Border Protection Border Protection Command Name Appointment Michael Pezzullo Appointment DATE Chief Operating Officer 29 Jan 2010 Marion Grant Andrew Hudson DATE DCEO Border Enforcement A/G Director Policy, Engagement and Administration 29 Jan 2010 Appointment DATE 29 Jan 2010 CONSULTED AGENCIES Clearance PMC DIAC DFAT AFP DEFENCE AGs For information: Minister’s Office for Home Affairs Name RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 3 Document #2 s37(2)(b) s33(a) s37(2)(b) s33(a) s37(1)(b) s33(a) s37(1)(b) s33(a) s33(a) s33(a) s33(a) s37(2)(b) s37(2)(b) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #3 s47F RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #4 s47F From: Sent: To: Subject: rccaus@arnsa gov au Saturday, 3 October 2009 15 51 Border Protection Operations VESSEL IN DISTRESS Importance: I ow R 030548Z OCT 2009 FM RCC AUSTRALIA TO BASARNAS EX (EMAIL: BASARNAS@INDO NET ID) BASARNAS EX (FAX 0011622134832884) BASARNAS EX (FAX. 001162215501513) INFO COASTWATCH (AMSOC) CANBERRA (EMAIL: [email protected] ) EXEC MANAGERS AMSA (EMAIL [email protected] AU) AUSSAR RCC CHIEFS (EMAIL AUSSARCHIEFS@MAIL AMSA GOV AU) BT SUBJ. VESSEL IN DISTRESS AUSSAR 2009/6890 MARABAHAYA RCC AUSTRALIA HAS RECEIVED A DISTRESS MESSAGE FROM AN UNKNOWN VESSEL: NAME CALLSIGN MMSI 406 MHZ DISTRESS BEACON INMARSAT NUMBER UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN IN POSITION 06 55S 104 58E AT 030210UTC (NEAR SUNDA STRAIT, 15NMS OFFSHORE JAVA) AS THIS POSITION IS WITHIN THE INDONESIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE REGION. REQUEST BASARNAS JAKARTA ASSUME COORDINATION FOR THIS INCIDENT REQUEST HARDCOPY CONFIRMATION FROM BASARNAS JAKARTA THAT COORDINATION IS WITH BASARNAS JAKARTA. PLEASE RESPOND IN ENGLISH. RCC AUSTRALIA TELAH MENERIMA (SINYAL BAHAYA (DARURAT)/PERMINTAAN UNTUK BANTUAN) DARI (KAPAUPESAWAT TERBANG) DENGAN IDENTITAS NAMA NAMA PANGGILAN (CALLSIGN) MMSI 406 MHZ SINYAL (RAMBU) DARURAT (DISTRESS BEACON) INMARSAT NOMOR UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN LETAKNYA GARIS LINTANG 06 55S, GARIS BUJUR 104 58E AT PADA 030210UTC (NEAR SUNDA STRAIT, 15NMS OFFSHORE JAVA) KARENA LETAKNYA KAPAUPESAWAT TERBANG TSB ADA DI DALAM KAWASAN SRR INDONESIA KAMI MINTA SUPAYA BASARNAS JAKARTA MENGAMBIL ALIH TANGGUNG JAWAB UNTUK MENOKOORDINASIKAN KEOIATAN SAR KAMI MINTA KETERANGAN SECARA TERTULIS DARI BASARNAS JAKARTA YANG MENKONFORMASIKAN BAHWA BASARNAS JAKARTA TELAH MENGAMBIL ALIH TANGGUN JAWAB. TOLONG BALAS SURAT INI DENGAN MEMAKAI BAHASA iNGGERIS REGARDS RCC AUSTRALIA BT If you have received this transmission in error please note that that error does not constitute waiver of any confidentiality. privil ege or copyright in respect of information in the e-mail or attachments and any use of this material RELEASED UNDER THEall FOI ACT 1982 and attachments Page 1 is prohibited. Please notify the sender by return email and delete copies of this transmission Document #5 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #6 s47F s47F s47F RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #7 ; = P'.4 W. : 02174 r.732P4 COnPC14Qt lc 200:: j$ : P: INDONESIAN SAR AGENCY RADAN SAR NASIONAL 3' FLOOR, JL MEDAPi MERDEKA T1MUR 5 JAKARTA PUSAT 10110 - INDONESIA TO ATTN PHONE FAX L I FROM : RCC AUSTRALIA : DUTY OFFICER : +61 2 6230 6811 : +61 2 6230 6868 i PHONE I FAX : BASARNAS : 62-21 34832901 : 62-21 34832884 , J DATE: OKT 03, 2,009 NUMBER OF PAGE : 1 (ONE) SUBJECT : SMUGGLING VESSEL NO. 2243 SAR/ 0909 MESSAGE AAA REFERING YOUR MESSAGES DATED 03 OKT, 2009 0309 UTC, JAKARTA SAR OFFICE HAS BEEN COORDINATING WITH INDONESIAN NAVY AND THE COASTAL RADIO STATION THERE IS NO ACCIDENT AT THAT POSITION. BBB THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND COORDINATION. REGDS, PU Duty Officer 348329 01 62- 21- 343328 79 EMERGENCY 62 21 352 1111 TELEPHONE : FAX : 62-21-3483 2884 EMAIL : bmgirua$ indo..nctid RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #8 Australian Government Auserellas Oreisees Service Bonier Protection Comiread TELEPHON. MESSAGE s47F s47F /A;s -rit) g Pc ...... TSA tripsi-9- , , .- riAQA T-V2-, n1014.1:. (/4.) C Isl-xyziose />Log.1.6-tCAt 0)..S Client Response Svs./.131. Yes / No CC Border Protection CS CC Border Protection TI CC Border Protection ON CC Border Protection BR 0 CC EOC Cl CC HQNORCOM 0 CC AFMA 0 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #9 s47F s47F RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #10 Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Key Issue 9 Missing Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel Issues Media reported on 18 January that an Afghan community leader in Australia claimed that a boat carrying 105 Afghan persons seeking to enter Australia had left Indonesia on 2 October 2009 and had not arrived. Several of the media reports carried the comment that Australian Government agencies had no knowledge of such a boat. Talking points • I am aware of media reports on 18 January that an Afghan community leader in Australia claimed that a boat carrying 105 Afghan persons seeking to enter Australia had left Indonesia on 2 October 2009 and had not arrived. • I note that several of the media reports carried the comment that Australian Government agencies had no knowledge of such a boat. • At the time of the reported incident Australian Government agencies were working with overseas partners to monitor a number of Potential Irregular Immigrant ventures to Australia. The information available on these ventures did not definitively indicate points of departure or arrival for vessels, nor potential departure or arrival times. • Nevertheless, Australian agencies acted on information received on 3 October that indicated a boat, possibly en route to Christmas Island, was in distress. Although the location of this vessel was unclear, it appeared to be in the Indonesian Search and Rescue Region. • Australian agencies passed this information on to their Indonesian partners. The relevant Indonesian authority (BASARNAS) advised on 3 October that it was unable to identify a vessel in distress in the relevant area. Subsequent surveillance activities that day by Border Protection Command did not detect a vessel in distress. • Following further information that the vessel was no longer in distress late on 3 October, Border Protection Command assets continued to monitor the Christmas Island approaches. They did not detect a vessel fitting that description in the subsequent days and Australian Government agencies received no further information on the vessel in October. Version 2 25/10/2011 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 of 5 Page 1 Document #10 • In November, Australian agencies began receiving reports of people who had allegedly departed Indonesia in October, on a vessel that had not arrived in Australia. Checks on Christmas Island and with international organisations overseas have failed to identify these individuals. • We do not know for certain the fate of the vessel that was potentially targeting Christmas Island. We hope that it turned back to Indonesia. • The circumstances of this case demonstrate clearly that the Government must continue its efforts to deter, disrupt and detect maritime people smuggling ventures – ventures that often see vulnerable people put on unsafe vessels for the long and hazardous journey to Australia. IF NEEDED • Once the likely location of the vessel was determined, Australian authorities requested that the Indonesian search and rescue authorities assume responsibility for coordinating actions as the location was in their Search and Rescue Region. • The Indonesian authorities accepted responsibility and advised later on 3 October that no search and rescue situation existed in the advised location. IF ASKED (Response to community concerns) • A framework is in place to ensure that community concerns regarding possible missing vessels, believed to be linked to people smuggling, are dealt with responsively. • All information received by agencies regarding possible missing vessels is communicated to a central point within Customs and Border Protection. This in turn enables whole-ofgovernment consideration and informs the government's response to that information. • Customs and Border Protection, including Border Protection Command, have long standing arrangements with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Where there is information to suggest that a venture may possibly be in distress, such information is referred to AMSA as the competent agency to undertake search and rescue activities as AMSA consider appropriate. • With regards to the possible missing vessel of 02 October 2009, I am advised the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has interviewed community members that contacted the agency regarding the vessel. I understand DIAC subsequently made inquiries to determine whether their relatives were already in Australia. Version 2 25/10/2011 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 2 of 5 Page 2 Document #10 • I further understand DIAC advised the members of the community that their relatives were not in Australia and have implemented a mechanism so, should relatives arrive in Australia, the relatives will be advised that a community member holds concerns for their safety. I refer you to DIAC should you seek further detail on activity undertaken by that agency. • Customs and Border Protection has received an enquiry from a concerned community member. In its response, Customs and Border Protection requested that if the community member receives more information that may help us to locate the possible missing vessel or those on board to provide it via the Customs and Border Protection Hotline as soon as possible. Cleared by: Jeff Buckpitt, National Director, Intelligence and Targeting Division Action officer: s47F s47F Work: 6275 6750 Work: s47F s47F Home: Home: s47F Mobile: s47F Mobile: 05 February 2010 Version 2 25/10/2011 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 3 of 5 Page 3 Document #10 Background At the time of the reported disappearance of the boat in October 2009, Australian agencies were working with Indonesian partners to identify and disrupt several Potential Irregular Immigrant ventures. This included the venture that has become known as the Merak boat – the vessel carrying 255 Sri Lankans intercepted by Indonesia authorities in early October 2009. Intelligence reporting on potential ventures at the time came from multiple sources, but was limited in nature, often incomplete and with little corroboration of the pieces of information available. The reporting was not often definitive on points of departure or arrival for vessels, nor on potential departure or arrival times. Consequently, agencies had a quite confused picture of potential ventures being mounted from Indonesia. It was in this context that reports were received of a vessel in distress. The nature of the information received did not allow agencies to form a definitive view of where the distress situation may have been. At one point there were three potential locations reported where the vessel may have been in distress, in difficulty or had simply lost its way. One piece of information on 3 October indicated a boat in distress which appeared to have Christmas Island as its intended arrival point. The location of this vessel was unclear, however, it appeared to be in the Indonesian Search and Rescue Region. As the information developed, it became clear that there may have been a safety of life at sea (SOLAS) situation. The nearest Australian Government vessel was some 360 nautical miles from the likely location. Once the Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel’s (SIEV) location was clearer, Border Protection Command provided advice on the situation to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. This occurred within four hours of the initial report of distress. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority immediately passed the likely location information to its Indonesian counterpart BASARNAS requesting that it assume coordination for any search and rescue. BASARNAS reported back the same day that it had coordinated actions in the area with the Indonesian navy and with the Indonesian Coastal Radio Station and that there was no distress incident in the location provided. Concurrently with the Indonesian action to mount a search and rescue response, Border Protection Command deployed a surveillance aircraft to monitor maritime activity along the likely track of the vessel. Despite indications late on 3 October that the vessel was again underway, the Border Protection Command surveillance activities (both airborne and surface) did not detect a vessel of interest that day – nor subsequent days. Potentially relevant information received between 5 and 10 October was again inconclusive on the status of the venture and the intended arrival point. However, the Australian Federal Police passed information concerning the vessel to Indonesian partners to assist with locating it. There was no further information received on the suspect vessel targeting Christmas Island in the month of October. Agencies continued to watch for the suspect vessel until 29 October when the decision was taken to cease active monitoring of it, as a period of over three weeks would have been ample time for the vessel to make its way to Christmas Island. Version 2 25/10/2011 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 4 of 5 Page 4 Document #10 Starting in November and continuing into December, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship was approached by individuals claiming to know persons who had been on a vessel that had departed Indonesia in early October and had not arrived in Australia. The Department undertook checks at Christmas Island and through Posts overseas to attempt to determine whether the named individuals were being processed on Christmas Island or were still overseas. These checks were not able to identify the named individuals. In addition, the Australian Federal Police received information in early December suggesting that a vessel had not arrived. Once again, checks to identify potential passengers who might already be on Christmas Island were inconclusive. Version 2 25/10/2011 RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 5 of 5 Page 5 Document #11 IN-CONFIDENCE QUESTION TIME BRIEF TAB ^No^ Missing Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel Media reported on 18 January that an Afghan community leader in Australia claimed that a boat carrying 105 Afghan persons seeking to enter Australia had left Indonesia on 2 October 2009 and had not arrived. Several of the media reports carried the comment that Australian Government agencies had no knowledge of such a boat. Key messages • A vessel may have departed Indonesia on 2 October and met with difficulties enroute to Christmas Island. That vessel did not arrive in Australia, though the exact fate of the vessel remains unknown. • At the time of the reported incident, Australian government agencies were working with overseas partners to monitor a number of Potential Irregular Immigrant ventures to Australia. The information available on these ventures did not definitively indicate points of departure or arrival for vessels, nor potential departure or arrival times. • Nevertheless, Australian agencies acted on a credible piece of information received on 3 October that indicated a boat was in distress. This vessel appeared to have Christmas Island as its intended arrival point. The location of this vessel was unclear. However, it appeared to be in the Indonesian Search and Rescue Region. • Australian agencies passed this information on to their Indonesian partners. The relevant Indonesian authority (BASARNAS) advised on 3 October that they were unable to identify a vessel in distress in the relevant area. Subsequent surveillance activities that day by Border Protection Command did not detect a vessel in distress. • Following further credible information that the vessel was no longer in distress late on 3 October, Border Protection Command assets continued to monitor the Christmas Island approaches. They did not detect a vessel fitting that description in the subsequent days and Australian Government agencies received no further information on the vessel in October. • In November Australian agencies began receiving reports of people who had allegedly departed Indonesia on a vessel in October that had not arrived in Australia. Checks on Christmas Island and with international organisations overseas have failed to identify the individuals. • We do not know for certain the fate of this vessel that was potentially targeting Christmas Island. We hope that it turned back to Indonesia. • The circumstances of this case demonstrate clearly that the Government must continue its efforts to deter, disrupt and detect maritime people smuggling ventures– ventures that often see vulnerable people put on unsafe vessels for the long and hazardous journey to Australia. Cleared by: Jeff Buckpitt, National Director, Intelligence and Targeting Division 28 January 2010 Work: 6275 6750 Mobile: s47F Action Officer: s47F s47F Date Created: 27 January 2010 Date Reviewed: 28 January 2009 Equivalent MOB ref number: ^MOB reference number^ IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #11 IN-CONFIDENCE Background At the time of the reported disappearance of the boat in October 2009, Australian agencies were working with Indonesian partners to identify and disrupt several Potential Irregular Immigrant ventures. This includes the venture that has become known as the Merak boat – the vessel carrying 255 Sri Lankans intercepted by Indonesia authorities in early October 2009. Intelligence reporting on potential ventures at the time came from multiple sources, but was limited in nature, often incomplete and with little corroboration of the pieces of information available. The reporting was not often definitive on points of departure or arrival for vessels, nor on potential departure or arrival times. Consequently, agencies had a quite confused picture of potential ventures being mounted from Indonesia. It was in this context that reports were received of a vessel in distress. The nature of the information received did not allow agencies to form a definitive view of where the distress situation may have been. At one point, there were three potential locations reported where the vessel may have been in distress, in difficulty or had simply lost its way Nevertheless, Australian agencies acted on the most credible information that they received. One piece of information on 3 October indicated a boat in distress which appeared to have Christmas Island as its intended arrival point. The location of this vessel was unclear; however, it appeared to be in the Indonesian Search and Rescue Region. As the information developed, it became clear that there may have been a safety of life at sea situation. The nearest Australian Government vessel was some 360 nautical miles from the likely location. Once the Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel’s (SIEV) location was clearer, Border Protection Command provided advice on the situation to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. This occurred within four hours of the initial report of distress. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority immediately passed the likely location information to its Indonesian counterpart BASARNAS requesting that it assume coordination for any search and rescue. BASARNAS reported back the same day that it had coordinated actions in the area with the Indonesian navy and with the Indonesian Coastal Radio Station and that there was no distress incident in the location provided. Concurrently with the Indonesian action to mount a search and rescue response, Border Protection Command deployed a surveillance aircraft to monitor maritime activity along the likely track of the vessel. Despite indications late on 3 October that the vessel was again underway, the Border Protection Command surveillance activities (both airborne and surface) did not detect a vessel of interest that day – nor subsequent days. Potentially relevant information received between 5 and 10 October was again inconclusive on the status of the venture and the intended arrival point. However, the Australian Federal Police passed information concerning the vessel to Indonesian Partners to assist with locating it. There was no further information received on the suspect vessel targeting Christmas Island in the month of October. Agencies continued to watch for the suspect vessel until 29 October when the decision was taken to cease active monitoring of it, as a period of over three weeks would have been ample time for the vessel to make its way to Christmas Island. Starting in November and continuing into December, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship was approached by individuals claiming to know persons who had been on a vessel that had departed Indonesia in early October and had not arrived in Australia. The Department undertook checks at Christmas Island and IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 2 Document #11 IN-CONFIDENCE through Posts overseas to attempt to determine whether the named individuals were being processed on Christmas Island or were still overseas. These checks were not able to identify the named individuals. In addition, the Australian Federal Police received information in early December suggesting that a vessel had not arrived. Once again, checks to identify potential passengers who might already be on Christmas Island were inconclusive. IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 3 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s7(2A) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 1 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s33(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s7(2A) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 2 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 3 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s47B(a)&(b) s7(2A) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 4 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s7(2A) s33(a)(i), s33(b) & s37(2)(b) s37(1)(b)&(c) s33(a)(i), s33(b), s37(1)(b)&(c) & 37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 5 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i), s33(b), s37(1)(b)&(c) & 37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i), s33(b), s37(1)(b)&(c) & s37(2)(b) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 6 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i), s37(1)(b)&(c) & s37(2)(b) s37(1)(b)&(c) s33(a)(i) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) & s37(2)(b) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 7 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s37(1)(b)&(c) s7(2A) s7(2A) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 8 Document #12 s33(a)(i) s7(2A) s33(a)(i) RELEASED UNDER THE FOI ACT 1982 Page 9
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