A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft returned to Darwin on the evening of 4th February following its mission in support of Papua New Guinean search and rescue efforts after the sinking of the ferry MV Rabaul Queen.

MV Rabaul Queen Ferry was reported to have sunk approximately nine nautical miles off Finschhafen, while on a voyage from Kimbe to Lae, in Papua New Guinea. There are believed to have been 350 people on board, approximately 50 have been rescued.