HMNZS Otago Association president Jim Blackburn, of Auckland, who served on the modified Rothesay Class frigate for four years, said it was disappointing the new offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago would not be in Dunedin for the June 25-27 reunion of those who served on the original ship, but they would not let it dampen celebrations.
The new Otago is due to make its first home visit to Dunedin in late July.
The first Otago was launched by Princess Margaret in England in 1958, commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1960 and served until 1983. It was later scuttled off Auckland.
It took part in various Seato (Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation) deployments and in a protest against French nuclear tests at Mururoa Atoll in 1973.
Mr Blackburn said thousands of sailors had served on the frigate.
"This ship had such a good spirit and a good captain. Everybody wanted to get on her."
About 350 of those who served on the original Otago were members of the association, making it probably the strongest group associating itself with an ex-naval ship in New Zealand, he said.
Association members were looking forward to being associated with the new offshore patrol vessel, and committee members had already had a tour and were impressed with the accommodation and technology on board.
The first captain of the original Otago, Commodore Max McDowell (retired), would be a guest at the reunion, as would the commanding officer of the new Otago, Lieutenant-commander Simon Rooke.
Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr would be the guest speaker.
Les Gillespie, of Dunedin, a radar plotter in the original ship's company and member of the Dunedin-based reunion organising committee, said more than 100 people had signed up for the reunion.
