HMNZS TE KAHA
By LT Tim Hall RNZN
In TE KAHA we have all been gearing-up for our planned deployment overseas. July and August were busy as we came out of the ship repair availability. July saw the successful completion of our Harbour Sea Assessment Readiness Check (HSARC), and the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team (MOET) have been frequent visitors to the ship - and are embarked with us at sea, at the time of writing.
During August we got ready to embark our Kaman SH-2G Sea Sprite helicopter and have completed both the Harbour and Sea phases of our SARC (Aviation). The aircraft is a major force multiplier for an Anzac-class frigate. Its roles include Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Maritime Interdiction Operations.
During the harbour SARC the ship was assessed on our knowledge and drills for all flying evolutions. We also conducted some flying alongside, which is very valuable for everyone involved in flying evolutions. Flying alongside provides a much higher degree of realism than simulations and gets everyone used to the idea that flying is a real evolution, with a real helicopter that gets real close to the ship.
The end goal of the SARC (Aviation) is to be assessed as safe to embark the helicopter for an operational deployment. But of course, the helicopter is not the only part of ship being put under examination by the MOET, aka The Green Team. Seamanship is assessed every day at sea; the Fleet Seamanship Inspector has been observing the ship during all boat drills and seamanship evolutions throughout the SARC.
The Supply Branch also gets tested out. After a galley fire exercise, alternative messing arrangements were required to provide a meal to the ship’s company at short notice. Getting 170 people fed within 2 hours without a galley is no easy feat, but no problem for our Chefs!
This month has also been a big one for promotions and qualifications on board: Marine Engineering Officers LT Scott McGregor and LT Dave Hunter were both awarded their MEQ Charge Qualification; the culmination of years of hard work – congratulations!
Last, but by no means least, at the end of our SARC (Aviation) during August we embarked 6 Ministry of Fisheries personnel for a MFISH boarding and inspection operation in the Cook Strait. Shortly after dawn we sent the helo over the horizon to locate any fishing vessels. These were quickly spotted and their positions passed back to ‘Mother’ for us to begin closing. This way we could remain out of sight of the fishing vessels until we were ready to board. No suspicious activity was detected, however, and although we were prepped and ready, we didn’t actually board any vessels. A cameraman was also embarked to collect footage for the Coastwatch TV show.
TE KAHA went on to enjoy a relatively rare opportunity to visit ports in New Zealand before deploying to South East Asia and Australia later this month.
Lyttelton
In Lyttelton, we hosted Sea Cadets and ex-navalmen on various tours of the ship. We also hosted an Open Day and had nearly one thousand visitors through the ship in one day. On sailing we embarked Daniel Wootton for a short passage to Kaikoura; his prize in an NZDF painting competition commemorating WWI. Daniel enjoyed his prize immensely, saying that it had been the best day of his life!
Wellington
TE KAHA arrived in Wellington on Wednesday 20 August, with a 21 Gun Salute from the Maritime Component Commander to the Governor General as the ship rounded Point Jerningham.
We hosted various guests on board including members of the news media, for a ship’s tour.
On 22 August our CO, CDR Mat Williams (Levin born and bred) welcomed on board Mitchell Lewis of Foxton and members of his family for a special tour of the ship. Mitchell’s school friends didn’t believe him when he said he was going on board a frigate!
We were open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday and had more than 2000 people through our frigate over both days.
We sailed the following Monday after a very successful visit.