NSW: Shipping company threatens legal action=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2001
NSW: Shipping company threatens legal action=2

Mr DEXTER says the company supports the decision of the ship's master to bring the
vessel into Australian waters despite warnings not to do so.

He says the master held grave concerns over the health of the asylum seekers and considered
it unsafe to move the ship out of Australian waters because he had responsibility for
the lives of those on board.

He says in the company's view it was the master's sole right to determine what had
to be done for the health and safety of the people.

Mr DEXTER says comments made earlier by the company's Oslo office about the SAS's boarding
of the ship being an act of piracy were a misunderstanding.

He says the company understands that the sole purpose of the boarding was to help provide
humanitarian and medical relief.

AAP kp/arb/jas/rp

KEYWORD: BOAT DEXTER 2 SYDNEY

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.