Border Protection Command intercepts vessel

15 November 2012

ACV Triton, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, detected and intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel west of Cocos (Keeling) Islands yesterday.

Initial indications suggest there are 86 people on board.

Border Protection Command will transfer the people to Australian Government authorities on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where they will have basic health and security checks. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will then make arrangements for them to be transferred to Christmas Island, where they will undergo further security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established.

People arriving by boat without a visa after 13 August 2012 run the risk of transfer to a regional processing country.

Media contact: Ryan Hamilton – 02 6277 7290