AHS Centaur search attracts national and international interest

The State and Commonwealth’s search for AHS Centaur has attracted 11 national and international expressions of interest, Premier Anna Bligh said today.

“Tenders closed this afternoon and this is a most pleasing outcome to have had such interest,” said the Premier.

The Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, ablaze with lights, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine south east of Cape Moreton in May 1943. The Centaur caught fire and sank within minutes. Of the 322 persons on board, only 64 survived.

“The specifics of the eleven applications are commercial-in-confidence and are now the subject of evaluation. That process will be undertaken by the intergovernmental Steering committee.

“The evaluation will take place over the next couple of weeks. Dependant upon subsequent contractual negotiations it is hoped the preferred Project Manager could be known soon after.

“The Project Manager’s first responsibility will be to develop search timeframes. It is expected that the search’s timing could be affected by the availability of suitable vessels, equipment and prevailing weather conditions.

“But my government is keen for it to be undertaken at the earliest possible time.”

The Committee’s evaluation criteria will be based on; relevant experience (particularly in the area of finding shipwrecks, marine salvage and/or archaeology), track record, methodology, business skills (people and contract skills), time (proposed timeframe, likelihood of achievement and availability) and referee checks.

“Also the panel will obviously evaluate the value-for-money aspect,” she said.

As the Acting Premier Paul Lucas said last week the separate Reference Group; including the Steering Committee’s Chair, Project Manager, Centaur Association representatives, RSL and historian Captain Foley will meet once the Project Manager is in place.

The Commonwealth is matching Queensland’s $2 million commitment for the search.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500