The first of the navy's two offshore patrol ships is about to
head off on its maiden voyage to New Zealand.
On Monday, the 1600 tonne, 85 metre-long ship, HMNZS Otago,
will leave Melbourne, where it was built, and head for the
Devonport naval base in Auckland.
The ship was part of the $500 million Project Protector plan
under which the navy would get seven new ships, the
multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury, four inshore patrol vessel
and two offshore patrol ships.
She is due to arrive in Auckland next Friday.
The ship's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Simon
Rooke from Kawerau, said the ship was a hive of activity and
excitement as the crew prepared for Monday's sailing.
It will be accompanied into Auckland by the inshore patrol
vessels Hawea and Taupo and welcomed at the base by a haka
party.
The ship was accepted into the navy by chief of navy Rear
Admiral Tony Parr last month.
He said Otago and her sister ship, HMNZS Wellington, would
deliver substantial new capability to the navy.
"The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer,
conduct more challenging operations than the inshore patrol
vessels, and will enable the navy to conduct patrol and
surveillance operations around New Zealand, the Southern
Ocean and into the Pacific."
The navy said the offshore patrol vessels' functions would
include maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They
could carry a Seasprite helicopter and had ice-strengthened
hulls for Southern Ocean patrols.
They would carry a crew of 35, with up to 10 flight crew and
up to 30 additional personnel.
The ship's armament includes a 25mm Bushmaster naval gun and
two .50 calibre machine guns.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.