Friday 11 November, 2005

Wild ride for navy tanker

The crew onboard Navy tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR experienced a wild ride during a recent replenishment at sea with frigate HMNZS TE KAHA in Western Australian waters.

HMNZ Ships ENDEAVOUR and TE KAHA are participating in combined operational exercises with the Royal Australian Navy. Ships, submarines and aircraft have gathered in the Western Australian Exercise Area off the coast of Perth for two exercises over the period 7-25 November 2005.

Arriving in the region on Tuesday 8 November, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR set straight to work conducting a series of re-fuellings, known as Replenishments at Sea (RAS). The sea conditions provided a further challenge when driving ships at sea at distances of less than 45m.

"Although the wind was calm, the significant swell caused us to pitch into the sea, almost stopping us dead. It was a wild ride for a while and a real challenge for the crew to manage the hoses as they swung to and fro" said the Commanding Officer, Commander David Hedgley, FNI, RNZN.

"ENDEAVOUR is in the Indian Ocean off Fremantle supporting New Zealand and Australian warships conducting anti-submarine warfare exercises. It's great to be working with such good friends in such demanding conditions and just shows how versatile we are."

ENDS

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