SIEV X
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2011) |
SIEV X was the name assigned by Australian authorities to an Indonesian fishing boat carrying over 400 asylum seekers en route to Australia, which capsized in international waters with great loss of life on 19 October 2001. SIEV stands for Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel and is the acronym used by the surveillance authority for any boat that has entered Australian waters without prior authorisation. The X is a designation used where a tracking number has not yet been assigned, in accordance with Australian Government orders.[1]
The dilapidated
Background
The SIEV-X incident occurred during the
Sinking
On 18 October 2001, a small, unnamed 19.5 metre by 4 metre Indonesian fishing boat departed
Approximately 146 children, 142 women and 65 men died. On 20 October, 44 survivors were rescued by an Indonesian fishing boat, the Indah Jaya Makmur. A 45th survivor was rescued about twelve hours later by another boat, the Surya Terang.[2]
The International Organization for Migration stated that it had expected such an event to occur due to "the way the people smugglers pack these boats".[3]
Senate Select Committee
On 20 February 2002, the
The committee investigated the SIEV-X sinking, and concluded that "... it [is] extraordinary that a major human disaster could occur in the vicinity of a theatre of intensive Australian operations and remain undetected until three days after the event, without any concern being raised within intelligence and decision making circles." While no government department was found to be to blame for the tragedy, the committee was surprised that there had been no internal investigations into any systemic problems which could have allowed the Australian government to prevent it from occurring."
SIEV X Memorials
Canberra
Since 2003,
The permanent memorial, involving over a thousand student and community artists, was dedicated in October 2007.[citation needed]
Melbourne
A memorial of three pole of different heights - representing all the children, women, and men who died - stands at Manningham Uniting Church in Templestowe.[5]
Christmas Island
A memorial to the disaster is in the precinct of the Administrator's House on Christmas Island.[6]
See also
- Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel
- Abu Quassey
Notes
- ISBN 0-642-71191-7. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ Hutton, Marg (14 June 2005) "The 45th Survivor" sievx.com. Retrieved 6 June 2013
- ^ "350 migrants reported drowned off Indonesia". The New Zealand Herald. 23 October 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Govt condemns case study on SIEV X". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Mural opening". 28 June 2022.
- ^ Cole, Rebecca (2017). "Creating cultural memory: public memorials to asylum seekers in Australia".
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Further reading
- "Select Committee on a Certain Maritime Incident" 5 April 2002
- Select Committee for an inquiry into a certain maritime incident (Public hearings, reports and transcripts)
- ISBN 1-920769-21-8.
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