HMNZS ENDEAVOUR
Back to Sea
Monday 16 February marked the return to sea for ENDEAVOUR. Our ship had been alongside at DNB since last March, undergoing modifications to her fuel cargo tanks. The modifications were required to ensure she is able to operate as a ‘double sided’ tanker [see NT 138 November 08: ENDEAVOUR's Tank Conversion]. ENDEAVOUR is now good to operate until 2013. Then, International Maritime Regulations will require tankers to be fully double-hulled, a structural conversion that will not be practicable for ENDEAVOUR and will most likely result in her retirement.
ENDEAVOUR sailed on the Monday for sea safety and readiness checks [SARC(Sea)] in the Hauraki Gulf, followed by a period of sea training. Those preparations are in anticipation of our scheduled deployment in April when ENDEAVOUR, in company with TE MANA will sail for China and SE Asia. The ships will participate in a Chinese Fleet Naval Review in Quingdao in late April and thereafter take part in the annual Five Power Defence Arrangement exercise BERSAMA LIMA.
But this month we are enjoying a visit to our homeport of New Plymouth (13 – 16 March) before supporting the Fleet Navigating Officers’ course with TE KAHA. Both ships will visit Wellington during 20 – 23 March.
New Plymouth - The Best Homeport in the World!
By LT Dave Hunter RNZN, Deputy Engineering Officer
ENDEAVOUR has the best homeport in the world! We make this claim by virtue of the fact that New Plymouth (Taranaki) has recently been voted as the best city to live in - in the world. To receive the first place award and a gold award for cities of population up to 75,000, in the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) the Mayor, Mr Peter Tennent, travelled to China for the award presentation.
The awards explored communities around the world doing the most to address issues, ranging from pollution and conservation, to poor housing. There were 50 finalists from five continents, judged on enhancing the landscape, heritage management, environmental sensitivity, community sustainability, healthy lifestyles and future planning.
New Plymouth also won an award for community sustainability. Canadian judge Claudette Savaria said “the city has progressed upward to one of the highest levels. This is a vibrant, thriving community with high levels of volunteerism, a highly engaged and consulted community and highly innovative social solutions."
ENDEAVOUR enjoys a long and treasured affiliation with our homeport and the Taranaki community. We support the local IDEA Services as our ship’s charity. IDEA Services supports people living with various disabilities; from ENDEAVOUR we have enjoyed contributing towards and being a part of the spirit of volunteerism that exists in the community. By providing upkeep assistance to IDEA Services’ premises, ENDEAVOUR’s sailors provide the horsepower to enable much to be achieved in a short amount of time. And every time, the people of New Plymouth get in behind our efforts, generously donating equipment to assist in completing our tasks. It therefore, comes at no surprise to us that the city has won these awards.
During this month’s planned homeport visit, ENDEAVOUR’s team are looking forward to enjoying the run ashore and the WOMAD music festival. On board we will host various functions and ship visits: for local dignitaries, school groups, Cadet Forces, some recruiting tours and, an afternoon tea for IDEA Services.
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