21 December 2007
A senior Naval Officer met with the parents of the late Byron James Solomon on Thursday 20 December to personally discuss the findings of the Court of Inquiry into an incident onboard the Navy's Amphibious Support Ship HMNZS CANTERBURY on October 5th in the vicinity of Spirit's Bay off Northland. During routine sea boat recovery drills an accident occurred, the RHIB capsized and tragically Byron James Solomon, a Navy Able Hydrographic Systems Operator, was killed.
The Solomon and Carkeek Family have released the following statement:
We are grateful to the Navy for keeping us in the loop and briefing us at every opportunity in all aspects surrounding Byron’s tragic death.
“We understand there are some issues regarding the equipment used on the Canterbury and naturally enough the Navy is keen to complete further investigation so that they can establish whether or not they have the safest options available. This process is critical as conditions are dangerous enough as it is for our servicemen and women without the added concern of sub-standard equipment or design” said Bill Solomon [Byron’s father].
We applaud Mr Goff’s comments that “safety must always be the first priority” and we await with interest the results of the review he has requested. It is our great hope that if any changes to current policies and procedures is recommended that they be implemented as soon as possible to prevent other families going through the same trauma we have since that dreadful day in October.
The question of whether or not Byron’s death was avoidable will be answered with the fullness of time. For the moment however, as a family we look to each other and friends for support as we face the first Christmas without a much loved son and brother. We respectfully ask that the media grant us privacy during this time.
ENDS
For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Manager, Mob: 021-2440638.