The sinking of HMAS Voyager in 1964, following a collision with HMAS Melbourne during a night-time exercise off New South Wales, resulted in 82 fatalities. Miscommunication and poor visibility were identified as primary causes, highlighting deficiencies in naval procedures and equipment. Subsequent reforms were implemented within the Royal Australian Navy to enhance ship-to-ship communication, radar systems, and operational practices, emphasizing the crucial importance of effective communication and safety protocols in maritime operations and the inherent risks involved.


Join Holly & Matthew as they delve into the aftermath, where reforms sparked by a Royal Commission reshaped naval protocols.

Sources used:

• ‘The lucky ones died that night’: lies, survivor guilt and the Voyager disaster | Amanda Gearing | 7 Apr 2018 | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/07/the-lucky-ones-died-that-night-lies-survivor-guilt-and-the-voyager-disaster
• 3 Victims Of H.M.A.S. Voyager Sinking Buried | The Canberra Times | 15 Feb 1964 | Page 10 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131744045
• Australia’s Worst Disasters, Malcolm Brown HMAS Voyager (II) | Royal Australian Navy | https://seapower.navy.gov.au/hmas-voyager-ii
• Question: Voyager | Edward St John | House of Reps | 16 Jun 1967 | https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/genpdf/hansard80/hansardr80/1967-05-16/0057/hansard_frag.pdf
• Royal Commission Continues | Navy News | 15 May 1964 | Page 9 | https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Navy_News-May-15-1964_0.pdf
• Spicer Inquiry, Report of Royal Commissioner on loss of H.M.A.S. "Voyager" : Melbourne | 13 Aug 1964 | Page 38 | https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-492969559/
• Survivors Tell Grim Stories | The Canberra Times | Wed 12 Feb 1964 | Page 6 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131743406
• Voyager disaster: 'The coxswain said "Sorry lads, we're done for" and sang Abide With Me' | Amanda Gearing | The Guardian | 9 Feb 2018 | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/09/i-was-last-out-seaman-relives-dramatic-escape-from-australias-naval-disaster
• Voyager Royal Commission —43rd. Day 14 Possible Causes of Collision Listed | The Canberra Times | 12 Jun 1964 | Page 8 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105765709

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