HMNZS CANTERBURY
Exercise TROPIC TWILIGHT took place at Tuvalu, some 400nm north of Fiji, during July and involved delivering humanitarian aid from HMNZS CANTERBURY within a Disaster Relief Scenario.
A Stoker’s Perspective
By AMT2(L) Jemal Bowler
In June we began preparations to deploy via Noumea, New Caledonia, to Funafuti, Tuvalu, for Ex TROPIC TWILIGHT. This involved loading 40 Army vehicles: a Grader, a Loader, numerous Unimog trucks, trailers, water tankers, 4x4 Vehicles, and an Excavator. Total Gross weight for the vehicles was 369,000kg (369 tonnes). Other cargo embarked included:
- 5 X 20ft Containers weighing in at 34,000kg
- medical and dental equipment and stores
- building materials—33 construction packs containing plywood, corrugated iron and timber and fastners; 36,300kg.
Most importantly, CANTERBURY embarked sufficient quantities of food and stores for the duration of the exercise, to give us the ‘comforts of home’.
Our ship’s company underwent a Damage Control refresher at the Sea Safety Training Squadron as well as sea survival training at the Fleet pool.
We sailed from Devonport on 25 June for Noumea, to embark a French Puma helicopter, which was for heavy lift during the exercise. In Noumea the sun was shining and it was 28ºC. Our ship’s company were given a day’s leave to explore the city, the sandy beaches and the nearby small islands. But the CO was locked into planning conferences.
We sailed from Noumea for Funafuti, where CANTERBURY could go alongside the wharf and unload vehicles and supplies for the advance party. While unloading vehicles, we also embarked water tanks and some local staff, to take to the next island, Vaitupu. At Funafuti, we all took pleasure in a ‘Hands to bathe’ with the crystal clear water at 27ºC! The ship was prepared to sail but the timing was dependant on the arrival of NZ Army personnel flying in a C-130 Hercules via Samoa. Delays to that flight meant more time alongside and therefore more time for swimming!
At 0445 next morning ‘Wakey wakey’ was piped so we could sail and catch up with the flight. When I wrote this, CANTERBURY was operating off Vaitupu Island, where we launched both Landing Craft and began moving stores and vehicles ashore. As a Stoker, I’m one of the crew for LCM-01 and my job onboard is to aid the Coxswain by keeping the engines working, the pumps running and ensuring the craft is sound both electrically and mechanically. Being part of the LCM crew also involves helping to bring loads on/off and berthing/slipping of our vessel, which can be very interesting at times!
EX Tropic Twilight 10
The annual Tropic Twilight series of exercises provide direct support to MFAT and NZAID, focussing on the deployment of engineering, construction, logistic and medical capabilities to Pacific Island countries. This year’s exercise, 29 June – 14 July, began with the delivery of assistance, but also exercised our Defence Force’s ability to respond to a natural disaster within a Whole of Government approach. The scenario was based on a tropical cyclone devastating the islands of Tuvalu.
The purpose of the exercise was to:
- Support NZAID’s South Pacific developmental programme, through engineering and construction projects together with medical, dental and surgical procedures.
- Exercise NZDF expeditionary capability in a demanding tropical environment.
- Enhance cooperation and interoperability with regional partners, particularly Australia and France, in the conduct of Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief operations.
- Enhance NZDF partnership capability with other Government Agencies.
- Use the opportunity for deliberate planning to confirm disaster relief contingency plans and build a sound foundation for rapid planning in the event of an actual disaster.
The National Command Element was drawn from 2nd Land Force Group, along with an Engineering group, a Medical and Surgical group, the Logistic group and a Communications group, totalling some 150 personnel. In addition, the Navy’s Littoral Warfare Support Group deployed staff, while aircraft of No.40 Squadron RNZAF and specialist Air Load planning teams supported the exercise.
A French Puma helo with aircrew and maintainers embarked in CANTERBURY while Australian Defence Force staff were integrated into some elements. Ministry of Defence analysts observed and validated NZDF activities in Tuvalu. Other agencies involved were: NZAID, NZ Red Cross, NZ Police and the Ministry of Health.
CANTERBURY Update
The ship’s year began with Waitangi Day in the Bay of Islands, before a deployment to Australia for SQUADEX and Ex SEALION, then on to Noumea for Ex CROIX DU SUD 10 [see NT 154 May 2010]. A leave period gave us all a chance to re-energise before the planned maintenance period and the current exercise.
During the maintenance period, a lot of work had to be done in just two weeks. CANTERBURY’s Engineering Department and many other key members of our company to get stuck in, alongside VTF staff, to get all the jobs completed on time. The high priority jobs were:
- the LCMs’ bow ramps
- testing and calibrating the main switchboard breakers
- cleaning the Aft fuel tank to remove a fuel infection
- full tests of the ship’s fitted fire detection system (they took three days)
- finishing the new LED lighting throughout the ship; and
- the swap-out of the ELSAs with the newer EEBDs, as well as replacing the mountings to fit them throughout the ship.
Following all that maintenance, CANTERBURY underwent Harbour Acceptance Trials then Sea Acceptance Trials (two days at sea). Those included a full power trial for the main engines and RHIB trials with the Commandos (the former CTTAG). While at sea we met the brand-new HMNZS WELLINGTON and joined her for OOW manoeuvres.
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