KAHU Decommissions
By LTCDR Muzz Kennett RNZN
In accordance with tradition KAHU entered Auckland Harbour flying a 12 m long Paying-off Pennant from the mainmast, with our ship’s company fallen in on the upper deck in Procedure Alpha.
HMNZS KAHU sailed from Devonport for her final voyage under the NZ White Ensign on 28 September. It was a rough passage across the Bay of Plenty, with a tsunami warning (early on 30 September) to remind us that the ocean can be unpredictable. We entered Hawke Bay on Wednesday afternoon and berthed in Napier at 1900, to commence KAHU’s final visit to the port. Serving in KAHU were two Napier men, the Executive Officer (XO) LT Tujoi Thompson—a former Head Boy of Te Aute College—and Ordinary Marine Technician John Helleur, a former student at Napier Boys’ High.
On Friday 2 October in Napier I hosted an official luncheon and the ship’s company hosted Sundowners for family, friends and local guests, including members of HMNZS ROTOITI’s ship’s company. A highlight that was enjoyed by all guests was the Ceremonial Sunset, which included a ship’s company Guard.
Sailors from both ships enjoyed a day at the Kelt Cup race meeting, organised for us by the HNO Napier, LTCDR Neville Smith, on Saturday. On Monday 5 October the XO, LT Thompson and three of our ship’s company attended Puke Moki Moki Marae, Napier to meet and talk to Students at Risk. Our group brought the students back for ship tours of both KAHU and ROTOITI afterwards. KAHU was programmed to sail Monday afternoon (for Whangarei) but with storms forecast and waves breaking over the port breakwater, sailing was delayed until Wednesday morning.
KAHU’s final port of call was to be Whangarei before returning to Auckland to decommission. On our passage north we encountered very high seas (6–8m waves); it was an awesome sight (for some) to see swells higher than the top of the bridge coming at us! But KAHU handled the swells well, rolling over them with ease. Once out of Hawke Bay and with following seas, KAHU surfed up the East Coast making good time. We arrived at Port Whangarei at 1900 Thursday 8 October. Just two Whangarei men were amongst our company, myself and ABSCS William Smith, a former student of Pompallier College.
The Whangarei visit was special as this is where KAHU was built by the Whangarei Engineering Company (WECO) in 1979. We berthed at Port Whangarei, about 10 minutes drive from the city centre and there on Friday 9 October I hosted a lunch onboard. That evening a Sundowners and Ceremonial Sunset was held, with several former employees of WECO attending. A public open day was held on Sunday with over 150 people coming to have a last look inside KAHU.
The HNO had arranged tickets for our ship’s company to attend the Northland vs Wellington rugby game on the 11th, after which we were able to join the Northland team for refreshments.
KAHU sailed on Monday 12 October from what was her first port of departure in May 1979 and was her final port of call 31 years later. We anchored at Motutapu Island on the way home, where our ship’s company enjoyed one final ‘Hands to Bathe’ from the old girl before KAHU made her final entry into Auckland on Tuesday 13 October.
In accordance with tradition KAHU entered Auckland Harbour flying a 12 m long Paying-off Pennant from the mainmast, with our ship’s company fallen in on the upper deck in Procedure Alpha.
HMNZS KAHU’s decommissioning at the Naval Base on Thursday 29 October, was marked by two events:
- At 0620 the lifting of the Mauri (life force) took place with the ship’s company delivering the Mauri to Te Taua Moana Marae where it will live on for ever.
- At Morning Colours we broke MCC’s broad pennant at the main mast; during the forenoon KAHU was the Flag ship!
The formal decommissioning ceremony commenced at midday. At 1218 NZDT the NZ White Ensign, the NZ Flag and the commissioning pennant were lowered for the final time. Then I had the sad privilege of marching off the ship with my ship’s company, to the lament of a lone piper.
HMNZS KAHU
- Built by Whangarei Engineering & Construction Ltd (WECO).
- Keel laid 8 December 1978; completed 23 May 1979.
Commissioned as HMNZ Diving Tender MANAWANUI, Pennant No. A09, she began her service on 28 May 1979 and operated as a support vessel for the RNZN’s diving teams in a variety of under water tasks. Most took place in the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty areas but one highlight was the exploration and salvage work on the sunken Soviet passenger liner MIKHAIL LERMONTOV in Port Gore, Marlborough Sounds, in March 1986.
In March 1988 the RNZN purchased a larger Diving Support Ship, which was commissioned as HMNZS MANAWANUI (also taking the pennant number A09). The smaller diving tender re-commissioned as HMNZS KAHU (Pennant No. A04) on 17 May 1988. From 1988 KAHU has operated as the navigation and seamanship training vessel, provided support the RNZN Diving School, and conducted operations with Government agencies, Fisheries, Customs, Police and DOC.
At the time of her decommissioning, KAHU had motored 192,232 nautical miles (the equivalent of sailing around the world 7½ times) and been underway for 22,411 hours. The underway hours do not reflect the many additional hours KAHU spent at anchor, supporting diving training and multi-agency operations.
KAHU’s Final Ship’s Company
CPOMT(P) Gary Neale (Engineering Officer), ASCS Leah Walsh, ACH Riki Gunn, ASCS Shane Herewini, OSCS Rora-Te-Ra Gordon Glassford, AET David Howard, LT Tuijo Thompson (Executive Officer), ASCS Caleb Gomez, POSCS Paul Chase (Coxswain), OMT(L) Nathan Reed, ASCS William Smith, LT Muzz Kennett (Commanding Officer). Front row, crouching: OSCS Kieran Willis, OSCS Leevi Eaton, OMT(P) John Helleur.
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