By signing the charter, the mayors, councillors and citizens of Dunedin, Waitaki, Clutha, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, Invercargill, Southland and Gore "agreed to adopt HMNZS Otago, P148 and uphold the honourable record and traditions of the Whitby class frigate HMNZS Otago, F111 and recognise, cement and foster the intimate association enjoyed between the region and HMNZS Otago".
The new offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago will arrive in Otago Harbour on July 22, followed by a charter parade in Dunedin on July 24 and Invercargill on July 30.
Mr Familton, who was second to sign the charter after Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes, was looking forward to sailing on board.
Each council will have a copy of the charter, as will the vessel.
Otago is the first of the offshore patrol vessels to be accepted by the Royal New Zealand Navy as part of Project Protector.
The regional affiliation for Otago is Otago and Southland, with its home ports being Dunedin and Invercargill-Bluff.
