May 2009 - Navy welcomes HMNZS HAWEA
The second of the Navy's new Inshore Patrol Ships, HMNZS HAWEA, was handed over to the Navy at a ceremony in Whangarei on Friday 1st May and sailed to Devonport Naval Base on Wednesday 6th May where she joined HMNZS ROTOITI for special equipment installation, seatrials and crew training before entering operational service later this year.
Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr said the new Inshore Patrol Vessels added valuable new capability to the Navy. "The Inshore Patrol Vessels can go further, go faster and are more versatile than our previous patrol ships of the 1980s. They add valuable new capability to our fleet, and will enable us to better support the work of agencies like Customs and Fisheries around our coast. I'm looking forward to having these ships visiting ports around New Zealand, and providing for maritime security within our 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone."
Delivery of the four Inshore Patrol Ships ships, ROTOITI, HAWEA, PUKAKI and TAUPO will be completed by the end of May. Each ship is affiliated with a region. HMNZS HAWEA is affiliated with the Greymouth / Westport (West Coast) region and HMNZS ROTOITI is affiliated with Napier and the Hawkes Bay region.
Image Right: HMNZS HAWEA on completion of her acceptance ceremony - note both flags are now flying onboard (MC 09-0154-053).
Above Image: Commanding Officer of HMNZS HAWEA Lieuteant Grant Judson making his acceptance speech (MC 09-0154-030).
Speaking at the delivery of the first Inshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS ROTOITI, former Chief of Navy Admiral David Ledson said the Navy was grateful to the contractor, BAE, for their contribution to the significant effort that has gone in to securing the delivery of these impressive new ships.
The two remaining ships, HMNZS PUKAKI and HMNZS TAUPO are due for delivery to Devonport within the next month.