Media Release
28 March 2012
“Bon Voyage Wellington” - Last Visit From HMNZS Resolution

This Saturday will be the last chance for Wellington locals to tour HMNZS RESOLUTION, the Navy’s principal survey and research ship, before she is decommissioned next month.

There will be an ‘open ship’ for members of the public on Saturday 31 March between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, with tours of the bridge and operations room allowing a unique opportunity to see RESOLUTION’s military hydrographic equipment up close for the last time.
RESOLUTION has chartered New Zealand waters since she commissioned into the RNZN in 1997, and most recently was used in the search of Foveaux Strait for the missing fishing vessel FV Easy Rider, which she was able to locate in approximately 40 meters of water off Stewart Island.

RESOLUTION will decommission from the RNZN next month and when she departs from Wellington Harbour for the last time on Monday, 02 April, it will be with fond memories.

“It is a proud time for RESOLUTION’s Ship’s Company as she prepares to decommission in April,” says Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Matt Wray.

“Being able to assist in recent activities such as the search for FV Easy Rider, and surveying Lyttleton Harbour after the February 2011 earthquake has shown the proud contribution this ship has made to New Zealand during her service.”

Since commissioning, RESOLUTION has steamed over 300,000 Nm (Nearly 14 times around the circumference of the world) and spent over 42,000 hours (nearly four years) at sea. She has visited 40 different ports in 12 different countries.

The Ships Survey capabilities are set to be transferred to another RNZN vessel before RESOLUTION is decommissioned in Auckland on 27 April 2012.

ENDS

RESOLUTION the Navy’s principal survey and research ship

Historical information and Ship specifications:
HMS RESOLUTION was formerly the US Navy Ship TENACIOUS and was commissioned into the RNZN on 13 February 1997.
HMNZS Resolution was commissioned after serving 8 years in the US Navy as a passive sonar towed array ship primarily operating in the North Atlantic. She was purchased by New Zealand to replace HMNZS's MONOWAI and TUI.
RES has provided hydrographic support for the RNZN through out her years, as well as patrolling New Zealand’s Economic Exclusive Zone, conducting Search and Rescue, disaster relief, and recently, providing navigational confidence to support the clearance of unexploded ordinance in Papua New Guinea and assistance to the NZ High Commissioner, Solomon Islands.
She is named after the sailing vessel HMS RESOLUTION, used by Captain James Cook, RN, during his second and third voyages to New Zealand between 1772 and 1779, thus recognising the extensive hydrographic survey work Cook and his team completed.
Specifications:
Standard Displacement: 2,262 tonnes
Length Overall: 68 metres
Beam: 13 metres
Draught: 4.4m
Speed: 11 knots
Range: 21,500 nautical miles
Complement 41 (7 Officers, 34 Ratings)
Accommodation for 45 onboard.
Propulsion: Diesel-Electric.
Four Caterpillar D398B diesel generators (3,200 hp)
Twin shafts.
Bow thruster (550 hp)

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