News Release

HMCS Athabaskan Sea King Incident

CEFCOM NR–06.001 - February 2, 2006

OTTAWA – At approximately 1:34 p.m. EST this afternoon, HMCS Athabaskan's Sea King helicopter, with a crew of five on board, ditched approximately 50 kilometres off the east coast of Denmark . All five crewmembers were recovered by the ship and are safe. All have been examined by the medical officer and have returned to their quarters. Their families have been advised of the incident.

The accident occurred while the aircrew practised night landings with the Sea King off the back of the ship

The helicopter is in 16 metres of water, marked by a buoy. Salvage operations may be undertaken pending sea state. Currently the sea state is calm with half-metre waves and wind speed of less than 10 knots.

A full investigation into the incident is underway. No further details are available at this time.

Background

HMCS Athabaskan, commanded by Captain (Navy) Dave Gardam, is deployed with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1), a squadron consisting of destroyers and frigates from the alliance nations. Canadian Commodore Denis Rouleau took command of the SNMG 1 on Jan 26. HMCS Athabaskan is Commodore Rouleau 's flagship for SNMG1 – one of four standing elements of NATO Response Force Rotation 7 (NRF 7).

HMCS Athabaskan carries a crew of about 300 all ranks, including flight crew and maintenance technicians

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