RNZN's new inshore patrol craft

[Dave Homewood]

I'm sure I saw the launch of the new inshore patrol craft on the news, but I cannot see anything on the net (not even the NZDF site).

They said it's twice as big as the ship it replaces. It looked a lot pointier too, and Phil Goff was interviewed too. He's hoping the new ships will inspire recruiting as the Navy is badly critically manned. You'd think somewhere there'd be a news story on the web.

Does anyone know where it will be based?

Also, I wonder what will happen to the four old ships that did inshore patrol before. I wonder if they will sink them all or maybe save some. They'd make great tourist boats.

[rubberduck]

For the announcement with a photo, go to: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00036.htm

First new inshore patrol vessel welcomed

Thursday, 2 August 2007, 11:35 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government
First new inshore patrol vessel welcomed

Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence

02 August 2007
Media statement

First new inshore patrol vessel welcomed

Defence Minister Phil Goff announced the launch this week of the Rotoiti, the first of four new Navy Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs). Built entirely in New Zealand, the Rotoiti will be formally named at a ceremony at the Tenix shipyard, Whangarei this Saturday.

"This is another significant step in the introduction into the Royal New Zealand Navy of seven new ships under Project Protector. The Inshore Patrol Vessels are an impressive capability. At 55 metres long and with a 3000-mile range, they will contribute significantly to the patrolling of New Zealand’s 15,000 km coastline, and our Exclusive Economic Zone, the fourth biggest in the world", said Mr Goff.

"The design and operation of the IPVs reflects their primary role of multi-agency operations in support of national security tasks. Their versatile capabilities will also include surveillance, response and boarding operations, and search and rescue. Secondary roles for the vessels will be in New Zealand disaster relief and civil defence aid.

"Project Protector exemplifies the importance of a whole-of-government approach to the security of our borders. The IPVs will enhance the capabilities of a broad range of agencies, including Customs, Fisheries, Police, Conservation and Foreign Affairs, to pursue their resource patrol and protection roles.

"The Protector fleet will be tasked by the National Maritime Coordination Centre, which manages agencies demands for maritime assets. The available pool of assets to meet these demands will be greatly enhanced by the arrival of the Protector vessels. They will work alongside Customs and Police inshore vessels, and the RNZAF P-3K and patrol aircraft.

"Project Protector is a tribute to the strength and competitiveness of New Zealand industry. Under the Project Protector contract, New Zealand companies will deliver goods and services worth at least NZ$110 million. To date, $85 million worth of contracts have been awarded to New Zealand industry.

"By the end of 2008, the Navy’s Protector Fleet will comprise of seven ships of three different classes; one Multi Role Vessel (MRV), two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) and four Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV). Rotoiti will now complete the ship fit-out at Whangarei and will be officially handed over to the Navy later in the year.

"The role of the Inshore Patrol Vessels recognises that the future security of New Zealand is not only about dealing with potential military threats but is also about securing our resources, protecting our biodiversity and guarding our borders against transnational crime", said Mr Goff.

ENDS

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks rubberduck. They're certainly very capable looking vessels these ones. With border security and fisheries as they are these days, I'd prefer to see them add a further ten to the fleet and scrap the waste of space frigates.

So, was HMNZS Rotoiti built completely at Whangarei by Tenix? Or are they just fitting components made in NZ?

[Dave Homewood]

I note on the Navy's website that there are currently just three IPV's in service
www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/inshore-patrol-craft/default.htm

There used to be a fourth, I think it was called Tui or Moa or something like that. What became of it? Did it come to grief? Wear out? Get sold off?

I went on a voyage on one of these while in the RNZAF around Banks Peninsular, I think either the Kiwi or the other one no longer in service. The crew were all territorial sailors.

[rubberduck]

These from Wikipedia, although I always take anything on that site with a truck-load of salt:

"HMNZS Tui was a World War II minesweeper belonging to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Formerly owned by the US Navy, the Tui continued service as a hydrological survey ship and submarine hunter after the end of the war. During the 1970s she made an extensive search for the Maria Theresa Reef. In February 1999 the Tui was deliberately scuttled two kilometres from Tutukaka Heads to serve as a tourist attraction and wreck for divers, following a period of work on her which removed any objects in danger of breaking free and welding shut any areas that may have posed a harzard for wreck divers."

AND

"The Moa class patrol boat was based on an Australian boat design that was modified in 1978 to construct 2 inshore survey vessels for the Royal New Zealand Navy. One of these vessels, HMNZS Kahu remains in service today attached to the Royal New Zealand Naval College as the basic seamanship and navigation training vessel. She can be distinguished by the gantry on her quarterdeck and lack of funnels.

A further 4 vessels were later ordered for the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), with the first in the class commissioning in 1983. From 1994 the 4 IPCs were modified to conduct mine countermeasures route surveying using side scan sonar. On a number of occasions this was used to assist in search and rescue and transport investigations.

In 2005 three vessels were relocated to Auckland to fill the training gap left by the decommissioning of the Leander class frigate HMNZS Canterbury (F-421). The fourth vessel, HMNZS Kiwi, continued to be based in Christchurch supporting the RNZNVR. On relocating the vessels had their side scan sonar removed. HMNZS Kiwi also relocated to Auckland 2006.

With the introduction of the Project Protector Ships, Moa, Kiwi, Wakakura and Hinau will be replaced by the new Inshore Patrol Vessels during 2007. HMNZS Kahu will be remain in service for seamanship and Officer of the Watch training.

Vessels of the class
HMNZS Moa (P3553), Commissioned: 28 Nov 1983: Decommissioned 23 Jan 2007
HMNZS Kiwi (P3554), Commissioned: 2 Sept 1984
HMNZS Wakakura (P3555), Commissioned: 26 Mar 1985
HMNZS Hinau (P3556), Commissioned: 4 Oct 1985: Decommissioned 23 Jan 2007
HMNZS Kahu (A 04), Launched: 1978."

The new IPVs are being wholly built and fitted-out in Whangarei, BTW.

As as aside, I should say that the existence of Whangarei only came to my notice about 10 years ago when Oz TV showed a great historical documentary on a gold-laden cargo ship which went down near the town during WWII. The recovery effprts of the British Government gold was all very James Bond!

[Bruce]

That'll be the Niagara - an amazing story. in itself, (but way off thread )

[Dave Homewood]

Interesting stuff there Rubberduck, thanks.

Some of the Niagara's gold was raised by an Australian diving crew going deeper than anyone else before. Some of it remains down there, still too low for divers.