THE Submarine that surfaced in the water between Honiara and Ngella was here for an emergency stop over.
It was a Royal Australian Navy submarine transiting the Pacific seas.
This was clarified by the Australian High Commissioner’s office in Honiara, late on Friday.
Prior to that, the sudden appearance of the submarine shocked residents in Honiara.
The Royal Australian Navy submarine transiting the Pacific visited Honiara waters briefly on Friday morning, to obtain assistance for sick crew members, the High Comm’s office said, in a statement.
“Thanks to an advance turnaround of the necessary clearances by the Solomon Islands Government for the ship and crew to enter Solomon Islands waters, the two sailors were transferred ashore and are receiving medical care pending evacuation to Australia.
“We’re grateful to Solomon Islands for assisting to facilitate the medical care of our officers,” said Australian High Commissioner, Roderick Brazier.
The submarine departed Solomon Islands waters later, Friday.