Weather front delays 'Otago' visit

A Seasprite helicopter lands on  HMNZS Otago last year. Photo by RNZAF.
A Seasprite helicopter lands on HMNZS Otago last year. Photo by RNZAF.
HMNZS Otago was yesterday battling rough seas in a gallant effort to get to Oamaru in time for Waitangi Day celebrations today.

The navy's offshore patrol vessel was due to anchor outside Oamaru Harbour at 6.30am before firing a morning salute at 8am, but Dunedin resident naval officer Lieutenant-commander Ian Marshall said the vessel, which would arrive decked out in naval flags to recognise Waitangi Day celebrations, was now not expected to arrive before 10am.

Lt-cmdr Marshall said a weather front had slowed the ship's trip from Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.

The crew were ''having a very uncomfortable ride'', he said.

The ship would still host an open day which would start about 10.30am.

Most areas of the $85 million ship would be open to view, and the public would be transferred to the ship by boat, he said. HMNZS Otago would be joined by a flotilla of craft, including a double-hulled waka from Puketeraki, which would sail around the vessel and the Oamaru Harbour at 10am.

The morning salute, due to be fired from the vessel at 8am, had been cancelled, but the ship would still fire a salute at sunset.

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