Media Release

17 April 2012

Returning The Home Port Charter – Gisborne Farewells HMNZS Resolution

As the Officers and Ratings of HMNZS RESOLUTION parade through the streets of Gisborne this Saturday [subs: 21 April] for the final time, it will be with pride and a tinge of sadness as they return their Home Port Charter.

This symbolic act is one of the last actions a ship takes before decommissioning from service, which RESOLUTION will do in Auckland on Friday 27 April.

The custom of granting freedom of a city through a Charter dates back to the middle ages when kings used to divide their kingdoms to a few nobles who were responsible for providing armed men, should the need arise. The elements of the charter refers to the right to march through the street with drums beating, colours unfurled, swords drawn and bayonets fixed. In modern times the granting of the freedom of a city means the civic authority can express a close relationship with a regiment, or in this case, a ship.

RESOLUTION has plied New Zealand waters since she commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 1997. Since commissioning RESOLUTION has steamed over 300,000 nautical miles, or nearly 14 times around the circumference of the world; and spent over 42,000 hours or nearly four years at sea. She has visited 40 different ports in 12 different countries.

Most recently RESOLUTION 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. The ship’s survey capabilities will be transferred to another RNZN vessel before RESOLUTION is decommissioned in Auckland on 27 April 2012.

“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 that matter to New Zealanders like the search for the 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.”

From the time RESOLUTION arrives in the port of Gisborne on Thursday 19 April there will be many events, including a charter parade and an open ship for the public, to help celebrate the strong ties the ship has with the local region.

When RESOLUTION sails from Gisborne on Monday 23 April it will be for her final voyage as an RNZN vessel, as she will return to Devonport Naval Base for her formal decommissioning the following week.

Planned Events:

WHAT WHEN WHERE

Boat for media departs Eastland Port 0630 Thurs 19 Apr Kaiti Marina

RESOLUTION berths Gisborne 1000 Thurs 19 Apr Port of Gisborne

RNZN Band concert 1300 Fri 20 Apr Gisborne RSA

Sports tournament vs. Turanga Ararau 1530 Fri 20 Apr Local sports ground

Charter Parade 1300 Sat 21 Apr Concludes at City Council

RNZN Band Pop Card Concert 1400 Sat 21 Apr Library Square

RESOLUTION Open Ship 1000 Sun 22 Apr Port of Gisborne

RESOLUTION sails from Gisborne 1000 Mon 23 Apr Port of Gisborne

Historical information and Ship specifications:

RESOLUTION was formerly the US Navy Ship TENACIOUS, where she was utilised as a towed array sonar vessel deployed for three months at a time streaming a two-mile underwater listening device. She 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 and was purchased 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)

ENDS

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