HMNZS KAHU
- Spawning a Cyclone!
By LT T P Thompson RNZN, XO
The previous two months have required Kahu to be flexible and meet the operational aims of various parties including NZ Customs, the Leadership Development Group and the American SPAWN team. Two of Kahu’s company describe their recent activities.
On a cold and dark winter morning (15 June) we waited patiently in Kahu for the couple dozen or so students and staff of JOCT 09/1 to embark so we could commence Op Cyclone. This event aims to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the leadership skills they’ve gained, in a realistic and practical environment.
We sailed in company with Tranquil Star, (contracted to support the exercise) transferring the JOCT students ashore at Whangaparaoa shortly after 0800 so they could commence their leadership assessments. The following few days saw Kahu always in close proximity to JOCT, to sail and anchor at short notice to transport the students and staff, or at times role play, in order to meet the demands of the imaginative scenarios.
While the JOCT trainees toiled away on land, our ship’s company were able to get in some valuable sea training, including DC EXs, MOBEXs and sea boat drills, followed most nights by a bit of fishing. We were able to spend Wednesday night alongside in Gulf Harbour Marina, where some of our company found the night life to be – nonexistent! A few were happy to get the opportunity to stretch their legs the following morning with some individual PT ashore.
We spent Thursday night in Sandy Bay, keeping an eye on the students as they spent the night in a life raft some 300 metres away. Despite the cold and isolation, morale on the life raft seemed high, with JOCT even performing the Navy Haka to us over the radio. They were nonetheless very happy to return onboard the following morning and receive a steaming bowl of porridge, prepared by our Able Chef. They eagerly devoured the Scottish breakfast as we headed back to DNB.
As JOCT began to disembark, we were already preparing for our next operation. We were to spend two weeks in and around the Great Barrier Island with Manawanui for “Trident Warrior,” supporting the development of some new radio communications technologies, the Spatially Aware Wireless Network (SPAWN).
Our involvement was as a platform for the IT team and our sailors kept occupied with non-delaying DC exercises and similar tasks. But the most training value was had when personnel onboard conducted presentations, such as briefs on boat drills, MOBEXs, ship’s safety equipment and CASEVACs - to name but a few.
During the first week of Trident WarrioR we were fortunate to have clear skies, light winds and calm seas; but the second week saw many onboard succumb to either sea sickness or the common cold. When the decision was made to continue our tasking while at anchor, everyone was happy! A well-received games night, a fish and chips night, and a short stint ashore for touch rugby (we even had some locals come and join in) were some of the highlights then.
The aims of those tasks were met due to the commitment and professionalism of our company. Two in particular deserve mention:
- LSCS Steven Muff, a core member of the crew for over two years, and
- ACH Mulholland who was named Sailor of the Quarter.
NZ Customs OP RAPANGA
By ASCS Caleb Gomez
On a crisp Monday morning (25 May) KAHU, with IMAV over and basin trials completed, sailed north with embarked personnel from the NZ Customs Service. At that moment, we didn’t know our destination or what evolutions were to be conducted.
After departure, we were briefed that we were to patrol from the southern edge of Kawau Is. north past the Hen and Chicken Islands, up the eastern coast to anchor at Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands. Six vessels were detected during our patrol, all were compliant with the Customs Act and happy to respond to our enquires.
With 30 knot winds (gusting to 40) and 3m swells predicted, it was not surprising to have our planned patrol to Whangaroa Harbour delayed. However, on further inspection of the conditions once we had weighed anchor, the CO decided to tough out the conditions and continue with operations as planned.
We battled through “roughers” to conduct a full inspection in Whangaroa Harbour and of the Cavalli Islands. A successful day followed with several overseas vessels hailed and reported to Customs. With spirits high we returned to Russell anchoring that evening.
Wednesday started no better than the previous day with high winds and high seas. We stayed in the Bay Of Islands area, conducting patrols in the local bays and harbours as well as the Kerikeri Inlet. The crew worked assiduously and, in turn, each Watch was given 2-3 hours ashore in Russell.
Thursday was a slightly earlier start, weighing anchor at 0600. The patrol commenced south down the east coast entering Whangamumu Harbour at 0800, where our RIB was launched for a more in-depth inspection of the inner harbours. On completion Kahu proceeded south again to Tutakaka and the Whangarei Harbours, then continued on to Kawau Island.
Friday morning was a particularly proud moment for the crew as AMT(P) Mac Lovey was promoted to LMT(P). We all celebrated with a cooked breakfast and a quick passage back to DNB.
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