Navy vessels prepare for first sub Antarctic voyag

[Dave Homewood]

Navy vessels prepare for first sub Antarctic voyage
Published: 3:16PM Friday December 03, 2010 Source: ONE News

The New Zealand Navy's two new Offshore Patrol Vessels, Her Majesty's New Zealand Ships Otago and Wellington, are preparing to depart on a week long operation to the Auckland and Campbell Islands.

This is the first time the Navy's two newest ships have operated in the Exclusive Economic Zone to the south of New Zealand.

During the operation, the two ships will deliver a team of scientists and supplies to Campbell Island for the Department of Conservation.

The ships will also undertake trials as part of the ongoing process of releasing their full operational capabilities.

The Navy regularly supports DOC operations through re-supplying offshore islands, patrolling marine reserves, and supporting other marine conservation activities.

The Navy works to protect the resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone, and our border security in partnership with other government agencies, including Customs, Fisheries and Police.

The ships will depart Bluff on Monday 6 December and return into Dunedin on the 12 December 2010.

tvnz.co.nz/national-news/navy-vessels-prepare-first-sub-antarctic-voyage-3941051

[beagle]

Watch the news Monday night or Tuesday morning. One of them will break down.
Not being vindictive of the Navy here but every time one of these ships gets in the media about going to go do something, something happens and they end up getting a bad name etc.

Would it better have been that they go do this mission unbeknown to us and upon success, it is reported in the media how good they operated and helped out other organisations as they were designed . Just my opinion anyway.

[Dave Homewood]

A fair call Beage, it does seem that every time we read about them it is because something has gone wrong. A bit like Qantas. We seldom ever read about the hundreds and thousands of Qantas flights or Navy sailings that went without a hitch.

Let's hope they do perform well on this trip. Having had a look at these vessels when kb and I went to Devonport I was surprised they are almost as big and probably as capable as the frigates. When the teething problems are ironed out I'm sure they'll settle down to be excellent vessels for New Zealand.

[beagle]

it's the bathtub effect

[adzze]

They're not combat-capable (unlike the Frigates), but they should be adequate for what they were designed to to - patrol the EEZ and support govt agencies in the South Pacific and Southern Ocean.

[beagle]

I thought you might have asked what the bathtub effect was Dave

[Dave Homewood]

Go on then... what is it?

[Dave Homewood]

Oh dear, Beagle you were right. HMNZS Otago is on the way home to port early after suffering major electrical problems. What a shame.

[obiwan27]

lol I started reading this thread and was thinking "I bet one of them breaks down". Then I read Beagles comment and laughed. Then I read Dave's comment above and laughed again. Hmmm the word 'lemons' springs to mind I'm afraid.... Oh and I'd like to know what the 'bathtub effect' is too please.

[Dave Homewood]

Lemons perhaps, but my thought was more oranges. As in HMNZS Charles Upham. You'd think the Ministry of Defence would have learned from that debacle before purchasing more ships.

[30sqnatc]

Give then a chance. It way to early to start calling them names. They are under guarantee so of cause you would return to port to let the builder do the repairs.

Oh hang on BAE are the builder - hmmm.... yeah they are lemons

Seriously I'm sure after the initial repair bath tub curve smooths out they will be great ships.

[beagle]

I could explain the bathtub effect not too bad but there are engineering officers on here that would do a better job.