May 2012, Issue 166 - Royal New Zealand Navy

More documents

Recommendations

Info

FLEET PROGRESS hmnzs wellington L-R: LMT Bedford, AMT Tuck, SLT Mexted, SLT Bone. February 2012 saw HMNZS WELLINGTON head south in support of the Department of Conservation (DOC) on Operation ENDURANCE. After a busy start to the year, WELLINGTON’s crew were looking forward to getting under way on operations in the Sub-Antarctic (see article on page 10). Before ENDURANCE started, we spent time in Bluff. This proved an enjoyable time for Ship’s Company. The Engineer, LT Matthew Lee, was named second-best dressed at the Invercargill races Fashion in the Field, while SLT Malcolm Barry was able to secure third. Ship’s Company were able to enjoy southern hospitality and enjoyed runs ashore into Invercargill. However, we had a tasking to complete and we said our farewells to Bluff and headed into Foveaux Strait. We experienced good conditions all the way to the Auckland Islands, where the ship supported DOC in the survey of birdlife there. This involved lengthy boat operations working in very cold conditions, the average air temperature remaining at 3-4 degrees Celsius. Despite the cold, WELLINGTON was able to assist DOC conduct the required surveys, during which 15 colonies of Rockhopper Penguins were recorded (three of which have never been recorded) and 12 new colonies of shag. While at anchor in Tagua Bay, members of Ship’s Company went ashore to explore the remains of a World War II coastwatchers’ hut. This was an excellent opportunity to explore the heritage of the island and that of a relatively unknown group of men who spent time in the sub-Antarctic during WWII. L-R: LSCS Robertson, ASCS Rewi, ASCS Allen. Manning a 0.50cal on WGNs PORT gundeck during a Close Range Firing Exercise 30nm west of Taranaki having just engaged a 'killer tomato'. Due to the early completion of all the identified tasking in Carnley Harbour, the ship sailed to conduct the final phase of the Auckland Island shag survey, up the east coast of the Auckland Islands. Due to inclement weather, WELLINGTON anchored that afternoon at the western end of Port Ross, in between Terror Cove and Shoe Island. During this time the weather continued to worsen. We moved to our next anchorage in Sandy Bay off Enderby Island. Given the gravel bottom and winds gusting to 45 knots it was decided to use both anchors. This was a new evolution for the ship and proved very successful. This afforded Ship’s Company an opportunity to go ashore on Enderby Island and experience the varied wildlife of the region. Having completed our tasking and with an approaching low pressure system, the decision was made to make our way to Dunedin to disembark the DOC personnel. While in Dunedin WELLINGTON embarked members of the Taylor family to say goodbye to an old shipmate J20409 ME (1) Allan Wayne (Buck) TAYLOR who served in the RNZN from 1971 to 1977. It was then time to head home. WELLINGTON returned to DNB via the west coasts of the South Island and North Island, calling into the sounds of Fiordland to conduct pilotage training for the numerous trainee Bridge Watchkeepers onboard and to see what crayfish could be found. It was during a crayfish exploration mission that LT Adam Flaws, Navigation Officer, was required to save a member of Ship’s Company from a shark. Or so the story goes. Having left the sounds with a couple of large crayfish and tales of sharks, we continued our passage experiencing very large seas, with reports of 10-metre swells and winds in excess of 40 knots. After an aborted attempt to send a boat across the bar in Westport, we stopped in Nelson for a final run ashore to allow the crew to unwind after successfully completing Operation ENDURANCE. A good weekend was had by all and it was an upbeat and motivated ship that sailed for DNB on Monday. 26 NT165april-may12 WWW.NAVY.MIL.NZ
hmnzsotago OTAGO Ship's Company in front of OTA in Dry Dock. and represented the ship to a high degree. Then it was off to dry dock to give the ship some upkeep and maintenance and to start preparing OTAGO for her duties in becoming a safe platform for aviation – a capability which has yet to be fully exploited on the Offshore Patrol Vessels. It wasn’t all work and no play though as we celebrated OTAGO’s second birthday. In a well -timed fashion, the celebrations coincided with a tot of rum awarded by the Governor General in recognition of our efforts during Auckland Anniversary weekend. The OTAGO themed birthday cake was cut by CPOMT (L) Shaw and OMT Perkins, the oldest and youngest members of the crew, respectively, and demolished in seconds. OTAGO EO LT Mathew Windross being presented CN's Commendation. DOCKED The year 2012 started off with a bang for day as hundreds of visitors came to explore the HMNZS OTAGO as we hit the ground running exciting world that we call home for our times at sea. After we had done a good clean and after a much needed and deserved Christmas ensured our ship was ready to be presented break. to the public, we were each assigned a section OTAGO was given the honour of being the of the ship in which we were well-versed, and starting ship for the Auckland Anniversary then given over to the crowd at 1000. As always Regatta as well as representing the Royal New there were some ‘forehead slapping’ questions Zealand Navy in Auckland City with a ship’s open but surprisingly, there were also a few very good day. This was a highlight and main attraction for questions asked that kept us on our toes! the many Aucklanders and visitors celebrating Following Auckland Anniversary five of our crew Auckland Anniversary weekend. It was a busy members volunteered for the Guard at Waitangi A recent highlight onboard was the Commendation of the EO, LT Mathew Windross, by the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Tony Parr, for outstanding achievement in the performance of his duties. LT Windross led the engineering team from preparations through to the operation in the Southern Ocean. LT Windross’s family was invited onboard to witness this honour but were hiding as it was a surprise. When they came out into the hanger, his face lit up and that’s when he knew something was coming! Congratulations to LT Windross on a job well done! Whilst onboard, CN also awarded our CO, CDR Dave McEwan with his long-awaited three-year service medal. Another accomplishment of note in the Engineering Branch was CPOMT(P) Andrew Robertson gaining his Marine Engineering Charge Certificate. Now with the refit and maintenance period over, HMNZS Otago and her crew are eager to stretch out the sea legs and step up to conduct First of Class Flight Trials over the coming months. WWW.NAVY.MIL.NZ NT166april-may12 27
Page 1 and 2: V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E : W W
Page 3 and 4: YOURS AYE by rear admiral tony parr
Page 5 and 6: 5-inch gun in action. All dead on t
Page 7 and 8: te kaha's dre and go to war if need
Page 9 and 10: JUNIOR OFFICER COMMON TRAINING RHIB
Page 11 and 12: They also sampled the local wildlif
Page 13 and 14: strategy Shaping the NZDF for the n
Page 15 and 16: “I commanded RES for a short peri
Page 17 and 18: or back to Bluff Harbour to rest be
Page 19 and 20: our people B C E H I WWW.NAVY.MIL.N
Page 21 and 22: won report WON Report By DEAN BLOOR
Page 23 and 24: information on local fishing and tr
Page 25: HMNZS manawanui DIVE TEAM ACTION MA
Page 29 and 30: the filming of two productions on o
Page 31 and 32: and support the 8th Army but, when
Page 33 and 34: navy news FIRST HELO LANDS ON OTAGO
Page 35 and 36: sport Blue Ocean Paddling Story and
Page 37 and 38: Defence Force establishes single He
Page 39 and 40: crossword two-speed naval crossword

May 2012, Issue 166 - Royal New Zealand Navy

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?