Fed: Delay on Centaur search

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2009
Fed: Delay on Centaur search

BRISBANE, Dec 12 AAP - The departure of the ship heading the search for the sunken
World War II hospital ship Centaur has been delayed by several hours.

A group of scientists and explorers, armed with millions of dollars worth of equipment,
are still making preparations to search an area more than 59km wide, 30km east of Moreton
Island.

They were hoping to leave early on Saturday afternoon but that has been put back until 11pm.

Shipwreck hunter David Mearns said they were still testing equipment but were hopeful
of departing before midnight.

"We pushed back our departure time a little bit," Mr Mearns told AAP.

"Our sailing time was projected on the basis everything would be absolutely perfect
but that's rarely the case.

"We are still inside our schedule but that's not a big issue.

"We won't leave until we are ready."

A total of 268 non-combatants died when Centaur was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine
in May 1943.

The Centaur has never been found.

Leading the search will be the Seahorse Spirit, a 72m multi-purpose vessel.

Mr Mearns said there were 30 people on board the ship and they had a maximum of 35
days at sea to find the Centaur.

AAP dac/mmr

KEYWORD: CENTAUR

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