The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, and the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders today applauded the efforts of the Finding Sydney Foundation following the official conclusion of the search for HMAS Sydney II. The search vessel, SV Geosounder, returned to the port of Geraldton, Western Australia yesterday after completing final surveys of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

“It was with high hopes of finding HMAS Sydney II that we wished the search team well when they departed Geraldton in early May,” said Mr Snowdon. “On behalf of the relatives of the HMAS Sydney II crew and all Australians, I would like to thank all involved in the search for a job well done. The ROV pictures have certainly provided a fascinating insight into the circumstances in which Sydney and her crew was lost,” said Vice Admiral Russ Shalders. Certainly some questions remain but with her final resting place now known the focus for the Navy in the immediate future is to honour the memory of HMAS Sydney II and her ship’s company,” he said.

Mr Ted Graham, Chairman of HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd and his fellow volunteer Directors thanked the Navy and the Government for their ongoing support for the search for HMAS Sydney II. “Our objective was to locate and identify HMAS Sydney II and to give peace of mind to the families and friends of the crew,” he said. “It is very pleasing to note that we have achieved our objective by visual confirmation. Both HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran have been located within our search area, schedule and our budget.”