content([{"updated": "", "incident-category": "distress_call", "title": "Boat in distress near Java", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) receives advice from Border Protection Command (Border Protection Command) that a maritime venture departing Indonesia might have unspecified damage. AMSA is able to confirm by ascertaining the location of the onboard satellite phone that the vessel was on a beach in Java. Indonesia search and rescue agency Indonesian national search and rescue agency accepts coordination.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "18/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: WA Police advise they have received satellite phone calls from a vessel approximately 120 nautical miles north-east of Christmas Island. AMSA subsequently receives a direct call stating there was a sick baby on board. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and requests military assistance. A Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessel is tasked and locates the vessel approximately 30 nautical miles north-east of Christmas Island. A boarding party advises that no assistance is required. The search and rescue (SAR) action is cancelled and the RAN vessel is released. On 22 September, 2013, all 33 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "21/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Maitland", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "People transferred from boat to Australian custody", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 24 September, 2013, all 21 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities in Darwin.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "22/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACV Triton", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: Border Protection Command advises of a vessel possibly in distress and experiencing mechanical difficulty approximately 20 nautical miles south of Java. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping. An Royal Australian Air Force P-3 Orion aircraft and Australian warship are tasked to proceed to the position. The Orion locates the vessel high in the water with engines and bilge pump running, moving at three knots and showing no obvious signs of distress. AMSA cancels the SAR action. On 26 September, the vessel reports it requires assistance. A RAN vessel is sent by Border Protection Command to investigate, and locates the vessel 30 nautical miles from Christmas Island. The RAN vessel confirms the vessel has been disabled (fuel lines cut) then takes the people aboard. On 26 September 2013, all 72 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "24/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Maryborough, Her Majesty's Australian Ship Maitland (assisting)", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Australian custody", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 26 September, all seven people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Horn Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "24/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACV Botany Bay", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Indonesian custody", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA receives a call from an informant in Indonesia who advises that his friend is on a boat with 55 persons aboard, in need of assistance. Subsequently, AMSA receives a number of calls and text messages from an British satellite telecommunications companyT phone aboard the vessel, reported to be 180 nautical miles north-north-west of Christmas Island. The vessel reports steering difficulties, holes and engine difficulties. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and requests Defence assistance. An Orion aircraft and an RAN vessel are tasked to respond, with a merchant ship to assist. When the merchant ship arrives it reports the vessel is stable in the water. The RAN vessel crew board the vessel, assess it to be unseaworthy and take the people aboard. The crew and passengers are subsequently transferred to Indonesian authorities at sea.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "25/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress near Java", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA receives a phone call from a person on board a vessel, claiming the vessel is disabled. The vessel requests assistance and is reported to be approximately 500 metres off the reef at Ashmore Island. AMSA is able to obtain a Global Positioning System position for the satellite phone on board and establishes the vessel's actual position is approximately five nautical miles off the Island of Roti, Indonesia. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and diverts a merchant ship to the position before transferring coordination to Indonesian national search and rescue agency because the incident is occurring within Indonesian territorial waters. After arriving in the area the merchant ship is not able to locate a vessel in distress, and AMSA releases it from tasking. The vessel continues to call AMSA, advising that it is making way but taking on water. AMSA then sends an Australian Customs Vessel (ACV) to the location. The ACV arrives on scene after dark and observes people on board bailing water by hand. Two tenders are launched to assist and, whilst en route, the vessel capsizes. The ACV rescues all people and confirms that no people are missing. ", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "26/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "distress_call", "title": "Boat in distress, runs aground in Java", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA is advised a vessel has broken down and is without food or water on a voyage from Indonesia to Christmas Island. AMSA makes contact with the vessel and is advised it was broken down and sinking approximately 25 nautical miles south of Java, Indonesia. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and requests military assistance. A Customs Dash-8 and an Orion aircraft are sent to respond; three merchant ships are diverted to assist. Subsequent positions of the vessel appear to be close inshore within Indonesian territorial waters. Later reports are received indicating the vessel has run aground on the south coast of Java. ", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "27/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "Updated", "incident-category": "death_at_sea", "title": "Asylum seeker boat sinks leading to death of 59 people", "text": "Following media reports of a vessel that had capsized, the immigration minister confirmed the vessel had foundered and sank close to Indonesian waters. The vessel had 81 people on board and 59 are believed to have died at sea. Indonesia coordionated the rescue operation, as the vessel was within the Indonesian search and rescue region.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/sm/2013/sm208367.htm", "date": "28/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: The WA Police call centre receives a call from a male on board a vessel stating that the engine has stopped and the vessel is taking on water. The vessel is reported to be approximately 32 nautical miles north of Christmas Island. AMSA issues a distress broadcast to shipping and requests military assistance. A RAN vessel which is in the vicinity deploys a boarding party to the vessel and establishes that the vessel is not taking on water and is not in distress. AMSA cancels the SAR action and releases the RAN vessel from SAR tasking. On September 20, 2013, all 82 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "29/09/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Armidale, Her Majesty's Australian Ship Maryborough (assisting)", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA is advised by an informant in Indonesia of a vessel that has reportedly broken down 130 nautical miles north of Christmas Island. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and requests military assistance. Two RAN vessels are sent to respond, and a merchant ship is also diverted. The people are taken aboard a RAN vessel owing to safety concerns. On 12 October, 2013, all 55 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "09/10/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Australian custody", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and on 11 October, 2013, all 79 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Cocos Keeling Islands.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "10/10/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACPBS 640", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: Numerous emergency ''000'' calls are received from a vessel approximately 80 nautical miles north of Christmas Island. The vessel is reported to be experiencing bad weather, with damage and engine difficulties. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and requests military assistance. Two merchant ships are diverted, and a RAN vessel is sent to respond. A Dash 8 is also tasked to respond from Christmas Island. The Dash 8 subsequently locates the vessel 64 nautical miles north of Christmas Island making way at eight knots. The RAN vessel crew board the vessel and owing to safety concerns the people are taken aboard the RAN vessel. On 21 October, 2013, all 42 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "15/10/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Pirie", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and on 20 October, 2013, all 128 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "18/10/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Bathurst, Her Majesty's Australian Ship Ballarat (assisting)", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA is advised of a vessel that has been spotted by a surveillance aircraft which reported it disabled and adrift approximately 50 nautical miles north of Christmas Island. Two RAN vessels are sent to respond. An Orion aircraft and a merchant ship are also sent to respond. One of the RAN vessels arrives on scene and, having deployed a boarding party to the vessel, advises that the vessel is overloaded, taking on water, and has unserviceable engines. All the people are then taken aboard the RAN vessels. On 17 October, 2013, all 42 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government authorities at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "19/10/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Warramunga", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA receives a call from an informant in Indonesia reporting that four of his friends are on a boat bound for Christmas Island from Jakarta that has stopped working. AMSA issues a broadcast to shipping and requests military assistance. A RAN vessel and an ACV are tasked to respond. A satellite phone position is obtained showing the vessel is 150 nautical miles north-east of Christmas Island. A subsequent satellite phone position shows the vessel making way at five knots in a south-easterly direction. The RAN vessel locates and boards the vessel, carrying out repairs. The SAR action is cancelled. The vessel subsequently becomes disabled and is boarded by a RAN vessel crew. The vessel is determined to be unseaworthy and the people are taken aboard by an ACV. On 17 November, 2013, all 39 people are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies on Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "07/11/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Launceston", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA receives several calls from WA Police in relation to a vessel approaching Christmas Island that is reported broken down with an engine on fire. The callers state they are between 30 and 60 kilometres from Christmas Island but no further details are provided. A Customs Dash-8 aircraft is tasked inflight to investigate and locates a vessel making way 46 nautical miles north-east of Christmas Island. There are no signs of distress. The aircraft searches an area of 1,908 square nautical miles but there are neither signs of another vessel nor signs of distress. A RAN vessel arrives and confirms that the vessel has made the calls. The RAN vessel reports the vessel\u2019s engines have been sabotaged. After taking the people aboard, the RAN vessel advises that the master of the vessel was reported to have jumped overboard, while clutching a barrel. A search for the missing man is commenced using an Orion and a RAN vessel. AMSA is later advised that the embarked people have been questioned and the claims that the master jumped overboard are not true. The master is one of the embarked Indonesian crew members. On 11 November, 2013, all 40 people are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "10/11/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Ballarat", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Darwin", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and on 11 November, 2013, all 68 people from the vessel are transferred to Australian government agencies in Darwin.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "10/11/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACV Cape Saint George", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "distress_call", "title": "Boat in distress, handled by Indonesian authorities", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: The Australian embassy receives notification from Indonesian police that a vessel is in distress in the vicinity of a small village south of Java. AMSA passes the information to Indonesian national search and rescue agency, which confirms it is coordinating a response. AMSA is later advised that all persons have been accounted for.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "13/11/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_arrival", "title": "Boat arrives at Christmas Island, people transferred", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: An unidentified caller using an Indonesian mobile phone contacts AMSA requesting assistance, however the line is very broken and only the words \"completely damaged\" are understandable. Telstra advises that the telephone number used the Christmas Island telephone network. Border Protection Command also advises that it is responding to a contact of interest in the vicinity of Christmas Island. The boarding party of a RAN vessel on AMSA's request finds a passenger on board admitting to the telephone call. All the people are taken aboard. On 17 November, 2013, all 39 people are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "15/11/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Launceston", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 27 November, 2013, all 11 people from the vessel are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "27/11/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACV Ocean Protector", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 3 December, 2013, all 31 people from the vessel are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "01/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Broome", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA is advised by Border Protection Command that a vessel probably north of Christmas Island is experiencing unspecified problems. AMSA requests a phone trace from the British satellite telecommunications companyT national operations centre in London. They provide a position for the vessel and this correlates to a vessel that Border Protection Command has under surveillance. The SAR action is cancelled and co-ordination is transferred to Border Protection Command. On December 6, 2013, all 72 people are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "04/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Larrakia", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_arrival", "title": "Boat sinks at Christmas Island, search and rescue operation", "text": "AMSA assumes coordination of an incident after reports that a vessel has sunk in the vicinity of Greta Beach on Christmas Island. The people on board make it onto the island but become separated. A Customs Dash-8 aircraft, an ACV, and multiple military and police assets are initially sent to respond until confirmation is received from passengers interviewed that everyone has been counted. AMSA retains coordination of the incident because a number of people were sighted on the beach and cliffs and their recovery was hindered by difficult terrain. A search party reaches the four people and helps them get to hospital for medical assessments. The Dash-8 conducts a five square nautical mile search and reports several sightings of abandoned lifejackets and vessel debris but no sightings of any persons. On December 6, 2013, all 27 people are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "05/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACV Ocean Protector, Her Majesty's Australian Ship Larrakia, Her Majesty's Australian Ship Stuart (assisting)", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 6 December, 2013, all 63 people from the vessel are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "05/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Broome", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Darwin", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 11 December, 2013, all five people from the vessel are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies in Darwin.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "08/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "ACV Roebuck Bay", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "Updated", "incident-category": "death_at_sea", "title": "Boat sinks and three asylum seekers die at sea", "text": "The immigration minister releases a statement about an asylum seeker vessel capsizing in Indonesian waters at Cibalong Garut. Later reports confirmed three of the 30 asylum seekers on board died, including one two-year-old child.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/sm/2013/sm210187.htm", "date": "09/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat in distress, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "Operation Sovereign Borders report: AMSA receives a satellite telephone call from a person aboard a vessel reporting they were requiring assistance. The caller gives a Global Positioning System position placing the vessel 73 nautical miles north-north-west of Christmas Island. A RAN vessel and an Orion aircraft are sent to respond and a broadcast is issued to shipping in the area. The RAN vessel boards the vessel upon which the SAR action is cancelled and coordination transferred to Border Protection Command. On 14 December, 2013, all 71 people are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island.", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "10/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Stuart", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "boat_interception", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to Christmas Island", "text": "An asylum-seeker vessel is intercepted and, on 19 December, 2013, all 100 people from the vessel are transferred into the care of Australian government agencies at Christmas Island", "image": "", "source": "Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce", "link": "http://interactive.guim.co.uk/australia/2014/june/osb-timeline/docs/customs-osb.pdf", "date": "13/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Larrakia", "source-category": "Government"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Boat intercepted and towed back to Indonesian waters", "text": "The first boat believed to have been turned back to Indonesia occurs shortly before Christmas, according to Indonesian authorities. The vessel is found on the island of Rote with 47 asylum seekers on board.", "image": "", "source": "ABC News", "link": "http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-07/indonesia-says-second-boat-forced-back/5189332", "date": "23/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Boat intercepted and towed back to Indonesian waters", "text": "Two asylum seekers are reported to have jumped off their wooden boat as an Australian vessel begins towing them back to Indonesia. They are rescued by Australian sailors and placed back on board the vessel.", "image": "", "source": "Fairfax Media", "link": "http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/towed-asylum-seekers-said-to-have-jumped-20140119-312tb.html", "date": "25/12/2013", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Boat intercepted, asylum seekers claim they were burned", "text": "The most controverial part of the government's turnback policy comes amid claims that asylum seekers were deliberately burnt by navy personnel. The federal government strongly denies the claims and is critical of the ABC's reporting of the burns allegations.", "image": "", "source": "ABC News", "link": "http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2014/s3970527.htm", "date": "02/01/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "First use of lifeboat to return asylum seekers to Indonesia", "text": "The first use of an orange lifeboat to return asylum seekers is reported on 17 January, 2014, by Fairfax Media. The asylum seekers on board the vessel say they have been picked up by Her Majesty's Australian Ship Stuart before being transferred to a customs vessel. The men say they have been tricked into thinking they were going to Christmas Island, but instead were cast off from the customs vessel with a letter telling them they did not have enough fuel to reach Australia.", "image": "", "source": "Fairfax Media, Guardian Australia", "link": "http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/first-lifeboat-used-to-return-56-asylum-seekers-20140116-30y0d.html", "date": "05/01/2014", "vessels-involved": "Her Majesty's Australian Ship Stuart, ACV Triton, ACV Ocean Protector", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "Updated", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Boat intercepted and turned back to Indonesia", "text": "An asylum seeker vessel carrying 25 people was turned back to Indonesia, forcing local villagers to help rescue asylum seekers as the vessel came closer to Indonesia. An Indonesian police commission told Fairfax Media that one of the asylum seekers said the Australian vessel that intercepted them fired shots to scare the asylum seekers, a claim denied by the immigration minister.", "image": "", "source": "Fairfax Media", "link": "http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australia-turns-back-asylum-seeker-boat-from-indonesia-20140115-30vds.html", "date": "08/01/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to lifeboat and sent to Indonesia", "text": "In an interview with the ABC's 7:30 program a group of asylum seekers say they were taken on board the customs vessel Triton and kept there for a week after their wooden boat was intercepted. On 5 February, 2014, the 34 asylum seekers are placed in an orange lifeboat that was being towed by the Trition. The lifeboat runs aground on the Indonesian shore.", "image": "", "source": "ABC News", "link": "http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2014/s3965617.htm", "date": "29/01/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Boat intercepted, people transferred to lifeboat and sent to Indonesia", "text": "Asylum seekers who were returned to Indonesia on an orange lifeboat say their vessel was fired on to sink it. Australian vessels have previously fired shots in an attempt to destroy wooden boats after asylum seekers have been rescued from them.", "image": "", "source": "SBS News", "link": "http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/26/asylum-seekers-say-australia-blew-boat", "date": "22/02/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "Two boats intercepted, passengers turned back on one vessel", "text": "Two asylum-seeker vessels are intercepted by Australian vessels and have their passengers placed onto a single vessel. An Indonesian government spokesman tells Fairfax Media the operation has occurred. The Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, cancels his meeting with the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, leading to speculation that the asylum-seeker operation may be related to the cancellation of the meeting.", "image": "", "source": "Fairfax Media", "link": "http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seekers-from-two-boats-combined-onto-one-for-turnback-to-indonesia-20140506-zr5kb.html ", "date": "05/05/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "distress_call", "title": "Boat off north-west Australia called NZ twice for help", "text": "A boat in waters off the north-west coast of Australia sent two emergency calls after getting into difficulty while travelling to New Zealand. AMSA refused to release any details about the boat.", "image": "", "source": "Guardian Australia", "link": "http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/unidentified-boat-off-north-west-australia-called-nz-twice-for-help", "date": "23/06/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "", "incident-category": "distress_call", "title": "Boat from India makes distress call", "text": "Asylum seekers who appear to be on a boat from India speak to activists and journalists and say they are near Christmas Island. The asylum seekers have not been heard from since, and may have been taken into custody on an Australian vessel.", "image": "", "source": "Guardian Australia", "link": "http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/29/asylum-seeker-boat-not-heard-from-in-24-hours-amid-silence-from-government", "date": "28/06/2014", "vessels-involved": "Ocean Protector", "source-category": "Media reports"}, {"updated": "Updated", "incident-category": "turnback", "title": "41 Sri Lankan asylum seekers returned ", "text": "A boat from Sri Lanka carrying 41 asylum seekers (37 Sinhalese and four Tamils) was intercepted by an Australian operation sovereign borders vessel in late June and handed over to the Sri Lankan navy in a mid-sea transfer on 6 July. All 41 were subject to the 'enhanced screening' process on board the Australian vessel and 40 were 'screened-out'. The one remaining asylum seeker 'voluntarily requested to depart the vessel' according to a release from immigration minister Scott Morrison.", "image": "", "source": "Guardian Australia", "link": "http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/07/australia-asylum-seekers-sri-lanka-sea-transfer", "date": "06/07/2014", "vessels-involved": "Unknown", "source-category": "Government"}]);