Friday, 5 June 2009

Navy's new patrol vessels being prepared for duty

    HMNZS Rotoiti, the first of four inshore patrol vessels, Devenport, Auckland. Photo by NZPA.
    HMNZS Rotoiti, the first of four inshore patrol vessels, Devenport, Auckland. Photo by NZPA.
    The Royal New Zealand Navy's four new inshore patrol vessels are undergoing their final fit-outs at the Devonport naval base in Auckland.

    Once completed, the ships will have sea trials before starting operational service.

    One of the first ports of call for each ship will be its affiliated "home port" region for a homecoming welcome.

    HMNZS Rotoiti is affiliated to Napier/Hawkes Bay, HMNZS Hawea to Westport/Greymouth, HMNZS Pukaki to Nelson/Marlborough and HMNZS Taupo to Whangarei/Northland.

    The four 55-metre, 340-tonne patrol craft are part of Project Protector, the $500 million programme to supply the navy with seven new ships. 

    NZPA