HMNZS Otago leaves Williamstown, in Melbourne, on sea
trials in December 2008. Photo by Andrew MacKinnon.
The new offshore patrol vessel, HMNZS
Otago, has
run into more problems.
The arrival of the new Royal New Zealand Navy vessel in
Auckland from Australia, where it was built, has been delayed
"some days" because of faults found in its engines.
Director of defence communications group Commander Phil
Bradshaw said yesterday Otago was carrying out sea trials off
Melbourne when the faults were found.
It has returned to Melbourne and technicians for the engine
manufacturers, M.A.N. Group, and the ship's builders, BAE
Systems Australia, are working on repairs.
The ship was officially handed over to the New Zealand navy
last month and was due to arrive in Auckland on Friday.
Cmdr Bradshaw said the ship was under warranty.
The $90 million Otago was scheduled to be handed
over to the New Zealand navy in April 2007, but the Ministry
of Defence has been negotiating with BAE Systems since last
May because it estimates the ship is 100 tonnes overweight.
The ship was part of a $500 million seven-ship order that has
been dogged with problems including the need to spend an
extra $20 million on health and safety issues on board HMNZS
Canterbury.
Otago is due to visit Dunedin before winter.
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