Agony in Christmas Island rescue

Navy lieutenant described how he cut the line to save the child gives a woman drowned when the boat is an asylum-seeker bumped into the rocks on Christmas Island.
Midshipman Jeremy Evain said the inquiry in Perth yesterday, he was one of the two boats sent out a patrol vessel HMAS Pirie to rescue people after their boat crashed on the rocks in Rocky Point Christmas Island on December 15 last year.
Sailors fought the waves, wind and rain to reach the rock where the ship asylum seekers "have broken into pieces.
Advertising: the story continues below
West Australian Coroner Alastair Hope is investigating the deaths of 30 people from Iraq and Iran, and the probability of death, another 20 people.
Midshipman Evain said his boat rounded the point, he saw the vessel smashed onto the rocks, as people clung to him and others were swimming in the water shouting for help.
''I watched the sea and people throw garbage into the rock,''22-year-old officer said.
The risk of debris blocking the entry engine boats meant that they had to stand and cast a line with attached rescue for people in the water, then pull them in boats.
He saw corpses in the water, including middle-aged woman, just below the surface that was attached to the line for the child in a lifejacket floating on the surface. To save a child, he had to cut the line, "he said.
Midshipman Evain said he ignored the cries for help from some people to focus on saving those he could.
Steering second boat rescue, Petty Officer Jonathan West, said there was a strong smell of diesel fuel and soaked survivors proved difficult to grasp and pull on board.
Getting as close as possible to the rocks as safely possible, he saw a man with lifejackets holding women and children alive and pushing children to the rescue boat.
Upon returning to Pirie with 10 survivors, he noticed two men were hostile to the old man of Indonesian is the captain of the ship. He placed the man in the back of the boat to defuse the situation.
On the return trip to rescue, Sergeant West said that he expected 16 people dead in the water, including three children and infants. None of them were wearing lifejackets.
The investigator said Peary commander Lieutenant Captain Mitchell Livingston recommended in the report that the best system to avoid blocking the consumption of ships' engine found.
The commander of Livingston also recommended restoration of the line used by kayakers to be extradited to the sea using boats, after rescue crews found tied to a line can be blown back when the wind is left to the people in the water.
Mr. Hope praised the commander of Livingston, and Petty Officer Warrant Officer Evain West, saying they showed courage in their leadership and action.