Navy Ship Otago Farewells Melbourne for Auckland

The first of the Royal New Zealand Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS OTAGO, leaves Melbourne on 21 March 2010 for her inaugural voyage home to the Devonport Naval Base Auckland.

HMNZS OTAGO will arrive in Auckland on 26 March 2010 at 11.00am.

The Commanding Officer of HMNZS OTAGO, Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke of Kawerau said “It is an incredible feeling to be hours away from sailing from Melbourne to sail OTAGO home. The entire ship is a hive of activity, and excitement, as we make our final preparations to sail. Having the privilege of being the first Commanding Officer of OTAGO, and bringing her home to NZ is incredible. It is huge honour, and thrill, not only for myself, but for all of OTAGO's Ship's Company. We are all looking forward to sailing into Auckland and being able to proudly show OTAGO to our families, and New Zealand”.

A homecoming ceremony is planned on the Naval Base with HMNZS OTAGO being accompanied into harbour by Inshore Patrol Vessels HMNZS HAWEA and TAUPO. At the wharf HMNZS OTAGO will be greeted by the Navy Band and friends and families of the crew. The Navy haka will be performed to welcome HMNZS OTAGO as she berths.

Additional Information
HMNZS OTAGO was accepted into the fleet by the Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr on 18 February 2010, in Melbourne.
The Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) HMNZS OTAGO and WELLINGTON deliver substantial new capability to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer, and conduct more challenging operations than the Inshore Patrol Vessels, and will enable the RNZN to conduct patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and into the Pacific

The OPV’s are capable of many roles including maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They have the ability to conduct helicopter operations using a Seasprite SH2G helicopter, boarding operations using the ships Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or Military Support Operations with embarked forces.

The OPV’s have strengthened hulls which enable them to enter southern waters where ice may be encountered. They are not designed as ice-breakers or to enter Antarctic ice-packs, but have the range and capability to undertake patrols in the southern ocean where ice may be encountered.

The ships are highly automated and operate with a core crew of 35, plus 10 flight crew to operate a helicopter. The ships power and control systems are fully computerised.

Specification
Displacement 1600 tonnes
Length 85 metres
Beam 14 metres
Speed 22 knots
Range 6000 nautical miles
Propulsion 2x Mann Burmeister & Wain 12RK280 diesels producing 5400 kW
Core Complement 35
Flight personnel 10
Multi Agency Complement 4
Additional personnel 30
Total Complement 79
Boat Capacity 2 x 7.3 m Zodiac RHIB
Deployable by 2 x Powered Davits

ENDS

© Scoop Media