HMNZS PUKAKI—A Midshipman’s View
The previous issue of Navy Today took the story of our Inshore Patrol Vessels up to the beginning of May. With NT’s new publishing cycle, coverage of the Naval Patrol Force’s activities will be necessarily more constrained. This issue highlights key events among our four IPVs over the mid-winter period.
By Midshipman Wesley Moir RNZN
My first ship was PUKAKI, during a five week operational tasking in support of the Ministry of Fisheries, OP KAUWAE and New Zealand Customs Services, OP RAPANGA. On 10 May we sailed for Gisborne, with pilotage training at Great Barrier Island to start. I have to be honest, travelling through Man o’ War passage with 40 yards of safe water either side was an anxious experience!
When the weather gods showed some kindness, we went in search for fishing vessels in the vicinity of East Cape. On the way down, we embarked Amy Adams MP (and got the chance to enjoy the local hot pools).
In Gisborne, I joined the Commanding Officer and local recruiters for the area, WOSCS Golding and POET Osbaldiston, to meet the Mayor of Gisborne, Meng Foon and his councillors—a plaque and photos were exchanged. That afternoon a small function and ship tour were laid on for Careers Advisers from various schools. Back at sea we headed for the fishing grounds off East Cape; over 17 boardings conducted, some minor infringements detected and hundreds of miles travelled.
In port at Napier, where the weather was not so inviting, one of our crew member’s family put on a hangi for us—an enjoyable and festive afternoon. On 24 May PUKAKI departed Napier with NZ Customs staff embarked to check vessels in the Marlborough Sounds. Yet another bad weather system bombarded the country and no suspicious vessels were sighted; however, the week provided a good training environment for pilotage training, engineering casualty control drills (ECCD) and major damage control scenarios.
Nelson, on 28 May, provided a breath-taking entry with distant hill tops and mountains capped with fresh winter snow. We put on a BBQ for the Murchison Volunteer Fire Brigade, to thank them for the hospitality they provided to us on Anzac Day.
We headed from Nelson back up to the Bay of Islands, to again assist NZ Customs. But due to the winter season and frequent bad weather only a handful of yachts were encountered. PUKAKI returned to Devonport on 9 June; the patrol was the last for LT McQueen as our CO.
I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to life onboard a RNZN warship. There were many challenges, but with hard work, I gained my first real slice of independence as a watch keeper. I now look forward to more opportunities at sea.
[Since this report PUKAKI, under the command of LT Alex Hansen RNZN, has continued with sea training and EEZ patrols in support of other government agencies.]
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