August 2009 - HMNZS HAWEA visits her homeport region Westport
The second of the new Inshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS HAWEA, under the Command of Lieutenant Grant Judson, is currently in Westport for her special first ever visit to her homeport region. HMNZS HAWEA will berth in Westport from Tuesday 18 August to Monday 24 August 2009.
During this historical visit HMNZS HAWEA will be involved in a Ceremony of Welcome, the ship will be open to the public in Westport, conduct a Charter Parade in Greymouth and host a large number of organised tours, to name but a few of the highlights planned. The Navy Band will perform in Reefton, Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika.
The Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr will attend the Charter Parade in Greymouth. The Lady Sponsor of HMNZS HAWEA, Lady Sandra O’Regan and her husband Sir Tipene O’Regan will be present throughout the homeport visit.
HMNZS HAWEA will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday 23 August in Westport. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Grant Judson warmly invites the public of the West Coast region to tour their ship and to meet the members of the crew.
Image Right: The very popular Navy Band entertain the teachers and pupils at Buller High School on Wednesday 19 August (MC 09-0281-023).
Above Image: HMNZS HAWEA has adopted IDEA Services as their ships charity. You may remember they have run from Westport to Greymouth to raise money for their charity. They are pictured in the engine room of the ship. (MC 09-0280-078).
Programme of Activities
Tuesday 18 August 2009
0800 HMNZS HAWEA berths in Westport
1100 – 1200 Powhiri by local iwi and civic welcome ceremony on wharf
1200 - 1300 Navy Band performance in the Band Rotunda, Reefton
1200 – 1600 Tours of HAWEA by members of the welcome ceremony
Wednesday 19 August 2009
0820 - 0920 Visit to HAWEA by local Veterans, RSA’s and Ex-Navalmens Association
0930 – 1110 Visit to HAWEA by Ships Charity – IDEA Services
1030 Navy Band performance at Buller High School, Westport
1120 – 1230 Media Tour
1230 – 1400 Commanding Officer HAWEA hosts official luncheon for three regional Mayors
1415 – 1515 Visit to HAWEA by West Coast MAF, Customs and DoC personnel
1525 – 1625 Visit to HAWEA by local potential recruits
1830 – 2000 Regional and RNZN Welcome Reception – hosted by the Mayor of Westport– venue upstairs in the Solid Energy Centre
Thursday 20 August 2009
0900 – 1000 Visit to HAWEA by West Coast Police personnel
1010 – 1110 Visit to HAWEA by local potential recruits
1120 - 1220 Visit to HAWEA by West Coast Port Authority, Coast Guard personnel and Fishery School
1230 – 1400 Commanding Officer HAWEA hosts VIP Luncheon
1400 Navy Band performance at Westland High School, Hokitika
1415 – 1515 Visit to HAWEA by local potential recruits
1525 – 1625 Visit to HAWEA by local Sea Scouts, Air Training Corps and Sea Cadets
Friday 21 August 2009
0900 HMNZS HAWEA ships Company arrive in Greymouth (by road)
1000 - 1200 Charter Parade Rehearsal in Greymouth
1430 - 1600 Navy Band Concert at the Regent Theatre, Greymouth
Saturday 22 August 2009
0945 HAWEA Ships Company arrive in Greymouth (by road)
1100 Charter Parade Ceremony in Greymouth (guests to be seated by 1040) Parade concludes at the Railway Hotel Carpark
1200 – 1215 Navy Band Performance outside Railway Hotel
1230 – 1400 Mayoral Reception at Council Chambers in Greymouth
Sunday 23 August 2009
1000 - 1500 HMNZS HAWEA open day to the public – Westport – all welcome
Monday 24 August 2009
1230 HMNZS HAWEA sails Westport – seaboat transfer to Greymouth thence enroute to Dunedin
Above Image: Commanding Officer of HMNZS HAWEA, Lieutenant Grant Judson, hosts the two local mayors for a luncheon onboard the ship on Wednesday 19 August 2009 (MC 09-0280-085).
Background:
There are four Inshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS ROTOITI, HMNZS HAWEA, HMNZS PUKAKI and HMNZS TAUPO. The ships are built to a modified Philippine Coast Guard “San Juan class” design. The Philippines Coast Guard currently operate 4 of this class and have been doing so since 2000.
Narrative Ship Data:
The IPVs are versatile vessels capable of multi-agency operations in support of national security tasks. At 55 metres long and with a contracted 3000-nautical mile range (although the sea trials show that the range is likely to be in the region of 7000nm which is double the contracted requirement), they will contribute significantly to the patrolling of New Zealand’s 15,000km coastline, and our Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles. The primary role of the IPVs will be patrol and response to maritime security incidents within the inshore zone around New Zealand.
In addition to patrolling, an IPV’s tasks will include surveillance, response and boarding operations, and search and rescue. Secondary roles for the IPVs will be in New Zealand disaster relief and defence aid to the civil community. The IPVs will have a complement of 20 naval personnel and four Government agency officers. They also have the capacity to host 14 additional personnel onboard for general naval training or other duties.
Additional Information:
Compared with the Inshore Patrol Craft (1990s) and the Lake Class Patrol Boats (mid-70s to late 80s) the IPVs are like comparing a Ferrari with a Toyota Hilux. The IPVs are much faster (over the double the speed of the IPC) and highly manoeuvrable. With active fin stabilisers, they provide a comfortable ride, they are far more sophisticated (modern off the shelf equipment and automated systems including unmanned machinery spaces) and significantly more capable (long range, modern communications and surveillance systems) and they look smart!
The introduction of the IPVs will be an exciting time for the Royal New Zealand Navy. There would be many senior officers watching the young Commanding Officers with envy as the IPVs are significantly better than their predecessors.
Their introduction will enhance Navy's recruitment and retention as these ships frequent ports around the NZ coast.