RNZN Protector Fleet

[Old Salt]

Naval Logistic Support Force

HMNZS CANTERBURY - L421

Built : Merwede Shipyard in the Netherlands, under contract to Tenix
Dresign : based on a commercial RO-RO ship, Ben-My-Chree.
Purpose : Provides a sealift capability for the transport and deployment of equipment, vehicles and personnel, and is capable of transferring cargo and personnel ashore in benign conditions (up to sea state 3) when port facilities are not available. CANTERBURY has two 59 tonne Landing Craft Medium (LCM) capable of carrying 50 tonnes at 9 knots with a range of 250 nm.

Specifications

Displacement: 9000 tonnes
Length overall: 131 metres
Beam: 23.4 metres
Speed: 19 knots
Complement: Core ship's company: 53
Flight personnel: 10
Government agencies: 4
Army ship's staff: 7
Trainees: 35
Troops: 250
Total: 360
Propulsion: Diesel engines
Flight deck: Space for two helicopters
Armament: 25mm and two .50 calibre machine guns
Helicopter capability: The NH90 Helicopter has been selected as the NZDF’s preferred medium Utility Helicopter to replace RNZAF’S Iroquois. Up to four NH90’s can be carried onboard the MRV for deployment ashore in support of Army operations and disaster relief activities. The MRV is also capable of operating the SH-2G Seasprite and the helicopter deck is able to handle a Chinook-size helicopter.

Offshore Patrol Vessels:

HMNZS OTAGO - P148

HMNZS WELLINGTON - P55

The two offshore patrol vessels will enable the RNZN to conduct patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and into the Pacific.
The OPV’s are capable of many roles including maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They have the ability to conduct helicopter operations using a Seasprite SH2G helicopter, boarding operations using the ships Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or Military Support Operations with embarked forces.
The OPV’s have strengthened hulls which enable them to enter southern waters where ice may be encountered. They are not designed as ice-breakers or to enter Antarctic ice-packs, but have the range and capability to undertake patrols in the southern ocean where ice may be encountered.
The ships are highly automated and operate with a core crew of 35, plus 10 flight crew to operate a helicopter. The ships power and control systems are fully computerised

Specifications:

Displacement: 1,900 tonnes
Length Overall: 85 metres
Beam: 14metres
Range: 6000 nautical miles
Speed: Maximum continuous 22 knots
Complement :
Core ships company 35
Flight personnel: 10
Government agencies: 4
Additional personnel: 34
Total: 83
Armament: One 25mm Bushmaster Naval gun and two .50 calibre machine guns
Helicopter capability : Can embark the KAMAN SH-2G (NZ) Seasprite helicopter onboard.


Inshore Patrol Vessels:

HMNZS ROTOITI - P3569

HMNZS HAWEA - P3571

HMNZS PUKAKI - P3568

HMNZS TAUPO - P3570


The four IPVs were built Whangarei, to conduct maritime surveillance in support of civil agencies in the area from the shoreline to approx 24 nautical miles. The total requirement is for about 950 sea days annually. Tasks in the northern half of our EEZ (north of and including the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman Bay) are almost all inshore, with relatively constant levels of activity during the year. The Inshore Patrol Vessels are based on a Tenix-designed Search and Rescue vessel in service with the Philippines Coast Guard.

Specifications:

Displacement: 340 tonnes
Length Overall: 55 metres
Beam: 9 metres
Speed: 25 knots
Range: 3,000 nautical miles
Complement: Core ship's company: 20
Government agencies: 4
Additional personnel: 12
Total: 36


Source : RNZN

[steve roberts]

Hi Brian.Thank you for posting that detailed information.Most interesting.Any chance of some Photographs to follow up?
Many Regards Steve.

[Old Salt]

Hi Brian.Thank you for posting that detailed information.Most interesting.Any chance of some Photographs to follow up?
Many Regards Steve.

Certainly ... I got detailed off by my shore bosun to do jobs before !

Brian ;)

[steve roberts]

Hi Brian.Thanks for that.I know what you mean,my 'er in doors always wants some thing done just when I want to do something else!!!:D
As a small aside I have a first cousin who lives in Timaru,South Island.My only visit to New Zealand,was to land a sick rating,guess where.Thats right Timaru.Never got to go ashore,we were only alongside for 10 mins.!!!:(
Many Regards Steve.

[Geoff Brebner]

Hello all,this is from the RNZN monthly publication Navy Today and shows HMNZS Rotoiti being moved from the Tenix Whangarei shipyard to the slipway for launching on 29 July 2007. Regards to all,Geoff.

[Geoff Brebner]

Hi all,another pic from Navy Today shows HMNZS Otago in mid Tasman on her delivery voyage to New Zealand.She is being greeted with a Haka by HMNZS Te Kaha, on her way to Singapore,7 April 2010.
Regards to all,Geoff.

[Old Salt]

Engine trouble delays navy ship WELLINGTON
31 May 2010

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s second Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS WELLINGTON, has experienced engine problems and has diverted to Sydney.

Engine faults were discovered while the ship was sailing from Melbourne to Auckland. HMNZS WELLINGTON was in the Tasman Sea, approximately 200 miles from Sydney, when a water seal in the port engine leaked, and the starboard engine’s control system developed an intermittent fault.

It was considered prudent to rectify both faults before continuing to Auckland, so HMNZS WELLINGTON diverted to Sydney arriving in the early hours of this morning.

Technicians from the engine manufacturers MAN have met the ship in Sydney and are working with the ship’s engineers. As the ship’s engines are under warranty, Sydney offers the best support to have the faults rectified.

The Navy now expects WELLINGTON to arrive in New Zealand towards the end of next week.

Source : RNZN media release 31 May 2010

Brian

[Old Salt]

Finally all seven ships are in NZ ! Two years late, but never mind, now at last we have the tools to do the job.

Brian

[Old Salt]

Navy's newest ship passes Antarctic test

The Navy's newest offshore patrol vessel and its crew experienced all Antarctica could throw at them during the past three weeks and passed with flying colours, the navy says.

HMNZS Wellington and its crew successfully completed a full set of sea trials in the lower Southern Ocean and the western Ross Sea. Now, for the first time in 40 years, the Royal New Zealand Navy can operate two of its ships in Antarctic waters.

Wellington will return from the deployment and arrive in Dunedin on Thursday morning.

"The trials have helped determine the ship's capabilities and limitations, and have allowed us to become familiar with the dynamics of the Ross Sea area," said commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Simon Griffiths.

"The trials also prove that the ship can conduct small boat operations, can land and operate personnel along the Antarctic coastline and can conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations throughout the Ross Dependency."

This new capability could now be developed further to allow the Navy to work alongside other government agencies to conduct various surveillance and support operations in Antarctic waters.

During the sea trials Wellington was involved in a search and rescue for the yacht Berserk, missing with three Norwegian explorers aboard.

"We were hit by the most intense storm I have ever experienced at sea," said Lt Cdr Griffiths.

"The ship could not initially respond to the distress call of the Berserk due to the heavy weather conditions but once we were able to, we headed to the last reported position of the distress signal."
The ship searched the area until a further deterioration of the weather prevented the ship from carrying on. There was no sign of the yacht or its crew members

[Old Salt]

Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)

HMNZS Wellington and Otago in Sub-Antarcic waters

HMNZS Wellington covered in ice after getting caught in storm during search and rescue mission in Antarctica

Well tested in Antarctic waters, both passed wirh flying colours.

Brian

[Old Salt]

A couple of good photos of HMNZS Taupo, Inshore Patrol Craft.

Brian

[brian james]

Brilliant pics Brian......where were they built?.....nice looking ships......

[Old Salt]

Brilliant pics Brian......where were they built?.....nice looking ships......

All four built in Whangarei . This was the size the RNZN wanted in 1975 but got provided with the smaller 'Brooke Marine' boats (below). They of course were useless around the NZ coast.

[brian james]

Brian 2 or 3 years ago I was on holiday in Yamba(mid north coast NSW) and came across an Ex RNZN vessel(possibly a dive boat)..on speaking to an Islander crew member who was ex RNZN who said the boat had been purchased privately and converted into a luxury yacht...He also said the boat had been built in the UK,...But for the life of me I can't recall her name...Nice looking boat though...it was apparently to end up cruising the Pacific.....

[Old Salt]

Brian 2 or 3 years ago I was on holiday in Yamba(mid north coast NSW) and came across an Ex RNZN vessel(possibly a dive boat)..on speaking to an Islander crew member who was ex RNZN who said the boat had been purchased privately and converted into a luxury yacht...He also said the boat had been built in the UK,...But for the life of me I can't recall her name...Nice looking boat though...it was apparently to end up cruising the Pacific.....

Hi Brian

The four 1975 Brooke Marine class were built in Britain (Lowestoft ? ) and shipped out two at a time ) (see photo) I had left the Navy when they were sold and did not follow where they went. I cannot think of any other small craft built in UK.

Cheers, Brian

[Geoff Brebner]

Hi all, here is a 2005 pic of ex HMNZS Taupo P3570 as a private yacht at Yamba ,NSW Australia.She is now named Little Eagle.Regards to all,Geoff.

[Old Salt]

Hi all, here is a 2005 pic of ex HMNZS Taupo P3570 as a private yacht at Yamba ,NSW Australia.She is now named Little Eagle.Regards to all,Geoff.

Thanks Geoff, as always you are a mine of information.

Brian

[brian james]

Geoff Mate that is her!!!! ..........Thank you.... Mystery solved.....I go to Yamba every year for 4wks R and R.....A lovely spot.....

[brian james]

Multi Role Vessel HMNZS Canterbury with her 'brood' of SH-2G Seasprite Helo's..

[Old Salt]

Southwest Patrol on HMNZS TAUPO

During April HMNZS TAUPO undertook a successful maritime patrol in the sea areas off SW Cape, Stewart Island, Fouveaux Strait and Fiordland. During the patrol over 40 vessels were boarded and contact was made with over 200 members of the commercial and recreational fishing communities.

TAUPO left the Naval Base on 28 March for the four week deployment and endured a rough passage south, arriving at Bluff on 1 April. With Fisheries and Customs officers embarked, the first week was spent around Stewart Island targeting both the recreational and blue cod/crayfish commercial fishermen. Numerous cray fishing boats in the area were inspected to ensure compliance with the Fisheries Regulations and checks were made on the huts of the Department of Conservation.

Taupo departed Bluff on 11 April for Fiordland, which turned out to be the busiest period of the patrol with well over 35 compliance checks being carried out by Fisheries and Customs officers. It was an amazing to be in the stunning ‘lost world’ of the fiords, including the historic Pickersgill Harbour (where Captain Cook moored 27 March 1773)

On completion, Taupo disembarked the Fisheries and Customs officers at Bluff and headed north to visit Dunedin before returning to Auckland after another successful patrol .

Pics :
1. The ‘bottom of the world – Bluff NZ
2. TAUPO sails through Doubtless Sound.
3. TAUPO investigates mooring at the historic Pickersgill Harbour (where Captain Cook moored 27 March 1773).

Source : RNZN http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/taupo/rec-act/210411.htm

[brian james]

RNZN Resupply Tanker HMNZS Endeavour..Timelapse sequence ......

[brian james]

.. RFA Wave Ruler.... HMNZS Endeavour ...HMAS Success........

[Old Salt]

Great pics Brian, thanks. 'Protector' class is Canterbury, 2 OPV and 4 IPV .. suggest others go in 'Warships of NZ thread..cheers)

Brian

[Three Mike Port]

Images of HMNZS Canterbury:

Starboard side, note the viewing glass on the deck in the bridge wing

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Port side looking aft

102430

Canterbury's bridge

102431

Deck viewing glass in Bridge as seen in the 1st image (bloody high up)

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[Three Mike Port]

More images of Canterbury:

The Bridge

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Helmsman Position (complete with chair!)

102438

Bridge viewing monitor of the Flight Deck

102439

Generator Room

102440

MCR

102441

[Old Salt]

Well, thanks for those detailed photos. Being ex RFA I was used to high bridges ... but all the electronics look quite impressive. It would take a while to work out how to use them all.

From an era when the COs chair was sacrosanct, I have to do a double take to see even the helmsman sitting down on the job ! But that is progress and it seems everything is in bridge control.?

Now you are going to tell me that the ER crew sit down in the MCR on watch ?

Brian

[brian james]

Great Pics Three Mike...Do you have any of the 'OpsRoom' or is it off limits?!!

[Three Mike Port]

To Brian, never thought of taking any pics in the Op's room, its pretty boring :) and full of executive branch types.

To old salt, yep stokers sit down on the job nowadays in nice comfy high back leather chairs looking at a computer, AB does machinery space rounds once per watch (cause everything is automated and every little motor, heater, light etc... is monitored by computer for fault).

There is a reason why the Gym (and there is a big one, roughly the size of the base Gym at Philly) is so big, gotta exercise the crew somehow to stop them all getting fat.

MCR console with one of several screens to watch, gone are steam gauges:
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Also for interest, on the bridge, there is a remote bridge wing console on each side PORT & STBD within the bridge itself:
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Interestingly, the JR dining Hall has a huge flat screen tv used by JR off watch crew where it has Nintendo/Play Station consoles so they can play warcraft and so on till there hearts content.

[Three Mike Port]

Oh, Old Salt, by the way, old traditions die hard, even though the ship is capable of remote operating and monitoring the propulsion directly from the bridge and sometimes it is, however it is still usually done the traditional way with Engine room crew responding to bridge commands.
Although this method is largely redundant.

Also, this ship is fitted with two elevators, which run top to bottom, one a freight elevator, the other a crew one, which isnt really used other than to store ship.

[brian james]

Three Mike...The 'hub' of the ship boring!!..Makes an old RP's eyes water...I suppose we are all redundant or 'rebadged' now...I must say I like the sound of the 'elevator'....if it would fit a wheelchair!!....LOL...Mike thanks for the pics..very interesting ..If she is ever over in OZ I will definitely be over for a 'look'

[brian james]

Latest Pic of HMNZS Canterbury in closeup....

[brian james]

Nice pic on a gloomy day of OPV HMNZS Otago..

[brian james]

Latest pic of HMNZS Otago.......

[brian james]

HMNZS Endeavour and HMNZS Te Kaha UNREP......

[brian james]

HMNZS Te Kaha performing UNREP.....

[BlackBat242]

Three Mike...The 'hub' of the ship boring!!..Makes an old RP's eyes water...I suppose we are all redundant or 'rebadged' now...I must say I like the sound of the 'elevator'....if it would fit a wheelchair!!....LOL...Mike thanks for the pics..very interesting ..If she is ever over in OZ I will definitely be over for a 'look'

Must obey the handicapped-access laws, mustn't we?

:D

[brian james]

Just an aside men..This week the Rugby Union World Cup starts in NZ...What is not generally known is the organised Protest by Naval Veterans of their disgraceful treatent over decades by successive NZ Govmts and VANZ...with survivors of Operation Grapple... families...and descendants being constantly ignored with a myriad of medical problems and birth defects attributable to exposure to Nuclear Radiation

[Old Salt]

Disgusting how this been swept aside by successive governments. I believe the RN veterans have made some progress. Many of the lads have already passed on, let's hope there is justice for those still alive with the results of the tests.

Brian

[brian james]

Yeah Twiggy I hope they get the 'NZ Public' fully informed of the dreadful situation Re Veterans...A friend of mine had to 'Pawn' his medals to afford Dental Care...If he had been 'unemployed' or 'behind bars' it would have been 'Gratis' courtesy of the Taxpayer...Absolutely disgraceful situation.....Regards Brian........

[brian james]

Couple of Pics of OPV HMNZS Wellington....

[brian james]

Dusk UNREP between HMAS Sirius and HMNZS Te Kaha......

[brian james]

HMNZS Wellington......