HMNZS TE MANA
Asian Deployment
On 1 April (no joke!) TE MANA, in company with the replenishment tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, sailed for China and South East Asia. The aim of the deployment is to build on NZ’s emergent relationship with China - TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR will participate in the Chinese Navy’s Fleet Review at Quingdao in late April.
As well, our ships’ deployment to S E Asia will reinforce the NZDF commitment to Malaysia and Singapore through participation in regional exercise activity under the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
Looking Back on SATS
By SLT Jacinda Johnston RNZN
Before we sailed for our Tauranga visit, TE MANA had undertaken an intensive but rewarding period to ensure that both the ship and her company were appropriately prepared for our 2009 deployment. This was successfully achieved by means of a thorough Sea Acceptance Trials (SATS) period, culminating in a ‘Safe’ pass during the final Safety and Readiness Check (SARC).
After an extended period alongside, it is imperative to analyse and test all on-board systems ranging from weapons and sensors through to engines, navigation aids and seamanship equipment. To compound an already hectic programme, we also placed a heavy emphasis on training. With a significant change-over of personnel, the spotlight was on our new crew members, checking them out in the arts of Seamanship and Damage Control. This involved several whole-ship DC incidents, as well as many core seamanship evolutions such as Berthing, Replenishment and Anchoring. All too soon, TE MANA was ready to embark the Green Team - the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team (MOET) for our final Safety Check.
Not a single department on board the ship has been exempt from the rigorous tests, trials and scrutiny by MOET. All personnel were put through their paces reacting to emergencies varying from Man Overboard Drills, Damage Control, Crash on Deck exercises and the unpredictable and sudden loss of vital pieces of equipment.
With SARC successfully complete, TE MANA sailed on the lucky Friday 13 March for our Families’ Day. As always, this was a fantastic opportunity for family and friends to experience being ‘at sea’ and to obtain a hands-on appreciation of shipboard life. Naturally, we took every available chance to show off TE MANA’s capabilities with MOB and Sea-boat drills, high speed manoeuvring, weapons and fire-fighting displays, and a flight demonstration from the Seasprite. Although the weather remained overcast with occasional showers, all of our passengers thoroughly enjoyed both the unique experience and the delicious Navy cuisine.
Overall, TE MANA benefited greatly from the opportunities and lessons arising from the SATs period. We looked forward to our visit to Tauranga prior to sailing for China on 1 April.
SATS From a Weapons Technician’s Perspective
By CPOWT Jason Furniss
TE MANA was put through her paces during three weeks of SATS. The weather ranged from blue skies and flat water, to overcast, 30knots and a good easterly swell – which put the sea legs back into our sailors. For the onboard Weapons Team the SATS period provided an invaluable training period as well as proving the ship’s fighting capability is fully operational.
Nearly a complete change-over of personnel in the Weapons Team has put pressure on individuals and the team to rise to TE MANA’s level of professionalism. The Weapons Team are very proud of all the talent and hours they dedicate to their systems; the successful completion in all the Weapons’ SATS has shown that their dedication paid off.
A ‘thank you’ needs to be mentioned to the people at FEC and RNZNAD for their support. From now on our focus has shifted to becoming very efficient and knowledgeable operators of our weapon systems for the up and coming Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD off Malaysia.
Homeport Visit to Tauranga
TE MANA berthed at Tauranga on Thursday 26 March. The CO, CDR Blair Gerritsen said, “Our ship’s company were all looking forward to the visit, which offered TE MANA the opportunity to reconnect with our homeport and indeed the broader Bay of Plenty/Waikato region. Heavy international commitments over the last few years mean this would be TE MANA’s first visit since December 2006, so it was a long-overdue homecoming. Indeed, over the last twelve months alone TE MANA had travelled vast distances to exercises and operations in South East Asia, India and the Middle East - yet it is always the visits to NZ ports where we get the warmest welcome and no more so than when TE MANA visits Tauranga.”
TE MANA was open to the public on Saturday 28 March and sailed from Tauranga the next Monday.
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