Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 2, 2007 14:46:20 GMT 12
Wellington's namesake heads for home
The Dominion Post | Monday, 29 October 2007
The 85-metre offshore patrol craft was launched in Melbourne at the weekend by Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, amid sea shanties, speeches and cheers.
"I have waited 18 years for this moment and I am very much looking forward to taking her home into Wellington to show the people of the region their ship," Lieutenant Commander Shane Arndell said.
It has inherited the name of the frigate which was sunk as a dive attraction in 2005 off Wellington's south coast.
The new Wellington will have sea trials in June and should be commissioned for service in July.
Sister ship Otago was launched in November. The multi-role ship Canterbury was commissioned in June.
Designed to range as far south as Antarctica, they are part of the $500 million Project Protector, in which the navy will take delivery of seven new ships by the end of next year, including four inshore patrol craft.
Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, was impressed by the sleek-looking ship.
The duties of the Wellington and the Otago will include patrolling New Zealand's economic exclusion zone, border protection, supporting counter-terrorism missions and boosting New Zealand's presence in the Pacific.
"With periodic security issues arising in the Pacific region, HMNZS Canterbury and the two offshore vessels will be especially important assets," said Defence Minister Phil Goff.
HMNZS Wellington vital statistics
Length 85m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.6m
Navy crew 45
Civilians 4
Additional accommodation 30
Baseline speed 22 knots (40kmh)
Economical speed 12 knots
Range 5500-6000 nautical miles (10,000km)
Endurance 21 days
The Dominion Post | Monday, 29 October 2007
The 85-metre offshore patrol craft was launched in Melbourne at the weekend by Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, amid sea shanties, speeches and cheers.
"I have waited 18 years for this moment and I am very much looking forward to taking her home into Wellington to show the people of the region their ship," Lieutenant Commander Shane Arndell said.
It has inherited the name of the frigate which was sunk as a dive attraction in 2005 off Wellington's south coast.
The new Wellington will have sea trials in June and should be commissioned for service in July.
Sister ship Otago was launched in November. The multi-role ship Canterbury was commissioned in June.
Designed to range as far south as Antarctica, they are part of the $500 million Project Protector, in which the navy will take delivery of seven new ships by the end of next year, including four inshore patrol craft.
Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, was impressed by the sleek-looking ship.
The duties of the Wellington and the Otago will include patrolling New Zealand's economic exclusion zone, border protection, supporting counter-terrorism missions and boosting New Zealand's presence in the Pacific.
"With periodic security issues arising in the Pacific region, HMNZS Canterbury and the two offshore vessels will be especially important assets," said Defence Minister Phil Goff.
HMNZS Wellington vital statistics
Length 85m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.6m
Navy crew 45
Civilians 4
Additional accommodation 30
Baseline speed 22 knots (40kmh)
Economical speed 12 knots
Range 5500-6000 nautical miles (10,000km)
Endurance 21 days
