Fed: Navy says it's learnt a lot from tragedy =2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2003
Fed: Navy says it's learnt a lot from tragedy =2

Commodore Deeks said the coronial inquiry had cleared the navy of allegations it coerced
witnesses to lie during a naval board of inquiry (BOI) into the incident.

"I think it's very clear ... that the coroner saw there was no pressure placed on any
witnesses in the board of inquiry, (or) that the witnesses were told to lie (or) that
nothing was presented to the board of inquiry that was a lie," Commodore Deeks told reporters
in Sydney today.

He said the navy had improved its ability to manage contracts and to apply safety standards
since the fire on board the Westralia.

This included better supervision of contractors.

"That's one area that the board of inquiry found needed some work done on, and this
has been supported by the coronial inquiry findings and we've taken steps to improve our
management of contracts and the work done on our ships," Commodore Deeks said.

He said all work on naval ships was now governed by numerous procedures, including
a "technical regulatory structure".

"(That's) as a direct result of the Westralia incident and as an ongoing process of
improvement of safety standards for the Royal Australian Navy," he said.

He said the coroner supported the findings of the BOI.

"Out of that board of inquiry there were 114 recommendations and all of those recommendations
have been accepted and acted upon and the last one is in the process of being acted upon
now," Commodore Deeks said.

He said the Navy would make a further statement on the coroner's finding in due course.

"The coroner did note that he supported the findings of the board of inquiry as to
the cause of the fire and made some comments about the board of inquiry being thorough
and he respected the findings of that board," he said.

AAP smb/nf/cbs/brt

KEYWORD: WESTRALIA NAVY 2 SYDNEY (REOPENS)

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