Naval Reserve Patrol Craft returns to Auckland after faithful service
Monday 21 March 2005
HMNZS MOA will sail from Otago Harbour at 7:00pm Thursday 24 March for her final voyage in a Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve role.
HMNZS MOA has been attached to HMNZS TOROA, the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve Headquarters in Dunedin since 1984. She is departing the Otago region to embark on a new role as a training platform for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Commander Dave Jensen, Commanding Officer of HMNZS TOROA, says “Dunedin Naval Reservists have taken a great pride in MOA and have had many splendid achievements with her. We are sorry to see her leave but are looking forward with enthusiasm to playing a part in manning the Navy's new, larger, faster patrol vessels.”
HMNZS MOA will be based at the Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. All Inshore Patrol Craft are returning to Auckland to fulfil training roles, after HMNZS CANTERBURY, a significant training platform, decommissions on 31 March 2005.
The return of the Inshore Patrol Craft to Auckland is part of the Navy’s preparation for the seven new ships of the Protector Fleet.
ENDS
For further information please contact Lieutenant Vicki Rendall, Assistant Navy Public Relations Officer, Ph: (04) 4960292, Cell 021 745 288
Media are invited to attend a send-off ceremonial parade hosted by HMNZS TOROA at the Navy Boatshed, Fryatt Street on Wednesday 23 March at 7:30pm.
Particulars of HMNZS MOA -Inshore patrol craft
- Length 27 m
- Displacement 91.5 tonnes
- Speed 12 knots
- Complement 18
- Pennant Number P3553
Background
Since arriving in Dunedin in 1984, MOA has been attached to Naval Volunteer Reserve unit HMNZS TOROA. She has steamed over 90,000 nautical miles and spent over 10,000 hours at sea.
Tasks HMNZS MOA has undertaken include fishery patrols, search and rescue operations, mine counter-measure activities, escorted yacht races, and conducted seamanship training.
She has searched for missing persons, sunken vessels and sunken aircraft using her mine counter-measures equipment (locating a downed aircraft in Foveaux Strait in 1998). HMNZS MOA has assisted other government agencies, such as the NZ Police during the Aramoana tragedy and DOC in visiting the Snares Islands.
Dunedin Naval Reservists will continue to participate in Naval operations and gain sea experience though shared use of HMNZS KIWI, presently based in Lyttelton. This ensures the Volunteer Reserve will be prepared to assist with the patrol vessels of the Protector Fleet.
<< Return to the Media Release Summary