Navy Today May 09 | Issue 143 - Royal New Zealand Navy

LATEST
DELIVERING ROTOITI
By LT Alistair McHaffie RNZN
I was told that standing by a new-build warship
should be a once-in-a-career opportunity
that would be frustrating, rewarding and
ultimately unforgettable. In all those aspects
the experience I and my ship’s company have
had did not disappoint! There had been a long
wait since we first went aboard and traind in
Rotoiti last year. Then last month the few days
of preparation between the Naval Acceptance
Ceremony and our departure were hectic - a
combination of storing ship, training and refresher
training, inspections and evaluation;
all providing some long hours and a few frayed
nerves. I'm really proud of how our Delivery
Ship's Company performed over the entire
period and I am anticipating that our ability to
spread this expertise around the other three
IPVs will get the new Lake class and the Naval
Patrol Force off to a really good start.
The Navy’s MOET (Maritime Operations
Evaluation Team) were very supportive during
both our Sea and Harbour Safety and Readiness
Checks (WoF day on a massive scale!).
None-the-less it was with a real feeling of relief
that we received the words “safe to deliver,”
from CDR MOET on Wednesday afternoon
(22 April). This assessment was not only of
the material preparedness of the ship but an
evaluation of our knowledge of systems and
procedures, and our ability to deal with any
emergencies in our individual roles and as a
team. Whilst there are only 13 of us to train up
(as opposed to the 20 for normal ops), this also
meant finding some creative ways to fill key positions
and I think previous experience gained
in the former IPCs by a significant number of
our team helped a lot.
Those who read the practice programme will
have noticed we managed to sneak out for a
few hours on Thursday. Nominally this was
to complete the underway navigation components
of our SARC(Sea) however I had the
obvious intent of doing a bit of ship handling
familiarisation without the extra pressure of the
sea-riders the next day. Alas it was not to be!
Thanks to the adverse easterly weather we did
little other than running up our stabilizers, which
it turned out was a pretty essential activity in
itself, but I did get a feel for our brand-new
“Ocean Ferrari.”
When we arrived at the wharf early Friday
morning I had a real confidence in my ship
and her ship's company, and we were looking
forward to giving the Minister of Defence, Chief
of Navy and the newsmedia a good experience
at sea in the Navy's newest warship. I will admit
I was quite distracted that morning by a 25 knot
Easterly, exactly what I didn’t want. I remain
appreciative of those involved in managing our
VIP sea riders to ensure the Bridge team could
focus on the task at hand. We departed the
wharf smartly and once I had turned the ship
at rest into the wind with a camera in my face
I had a real sense of relief, with the biggest unknown
of the day overcome! In comparison our
18 knot pilotage out of Whangarei (in winds by
MC 09-0141-06
then gusting up to 40knots) was quite relaxing!
The general consensus was that you couldn't
tell the ship was going so quickly due to the
comfort and lack of noise.
I think everyone enjoyed our passage down
the coast, at least that’s what the newsmedia
promised us once they had been scraped off
the deck behind the chart table. It was pretty
rough and very windy at times and it was very
pleasing to see how Rotoiti handled the conditions.
Yes, those stabilisers we got running the
previous day contributed a fair amount! Those
in a uniform recognised that to race down
the coast at 23.5 knots with ease, despite
the adverse conditions, really highlighted the
potential of our new ships that is going to be
released over the next few months. There is no
doubt that the RNZN's “small ship” horizons,
“I'm really proud of how our Delivery Ship's Company
performed over the entire period and I am anticipating
that our ability to spread this expertise around the
other three IPVs will get the new Lake class and the
Naval Patrol Force off to a really good start”
both the figurative and I hope the literal, have
been expanded immensely with the introduction
of our new patrol vessels.
Since Rotoiti's arrival at DNB, a number of
people have asked me what it was like having
such a high profile for our entry, including the
added pressure of VIPs and the newsmedia.
It was quite intense; however, the Navy and
New Zealand have waited patiently for the
Lake-class patrol ships and I think we will all
be rewarded for that patience. It is only proper
to acknowledge and celebrate the arrival of a
new member of the Navy family, and I would
like to thank again everyone who turned up to
wave us alongside and those who have sent
kind words of welcome.
It was a very special moment to berth the
ship in Devonport and to join our fleet. We
expect now to work hard, establishing our
roles and capabilities for the future.
HMNZS ROTOITI sails up the
Rangitoto Channel on 24
April, past the volcano
that guards the entrance
to Auckland. The NZ White
Ensign is flying from the
main mast, along with
the ship’s international
call sign ZMZM. Two HF
whip aerials rise from the
forward superstructure,
satellite domes are high on
the bridge and main mast.
Photo: LAC Grant Armishaw NPU.
MC 09-0140-002
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