HMNZS HAWEA’s second circumnavigation
For the second time in 12 months HAWEA has circumnavigated New Zealand – sailing from Auckland on 12 April for a week of sea training before a port visit to Tauranga. The focus for the week was Engineering and Damage Control training, where much was gained from several sets of engineering breakdowns.
During the week HAWEA also had a comprehensive flying programme with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to exercise winchings from the quarterdeck and foc’sle. These went very well with a number of personnel being winched to the helicopter to enjoy a quick circuit before winching back down.
Image caption right: A UH-1H Iroquois of No 3 RNZAF undertakes a WINCHEX with HAWEA
On 13 April HAWEA detected two boats fishing within the Waiheke Island Marine Reserve and issued verbal warnings before reporting the vessels to the Department of Conservation.
The ship’s company enjoyed a Banyan (ship BBQ derived from the Banyan tree found in tropical climes) at Slipper Island before leaving for Tauranga where HAWEA spent the weekend before sailing onto Westport on 19 April.
After a rough trip down the North Island west coast HAWEA made a planned rendezvous with No.3 Sqn RNZAF from Ohakea, late in the afternoon of 21 April. It was another busy flying serial with two hours of winching to the quarterdeck, as well as wet winching of some of the braver sailors! Clad in wetsuits they were winched into the Iroquois from the water, then jumping the 1-2 metres back into the tide. Three Iroquois took part and some members of the company were able to enjoy a short flight.
HAWEA’s next event was a brief ‘Shop Window’ out of Westport for the local Air Training Corps, before we berthed in Westport on 22 April.
During Anzac Day, HAWEA sent representatives to Grantiy, Waimangaroa, Westport, Greymouth, Blackball, Lake Hawea and Wanaka; all communities within our affiliated region. The XO (SLT Adam Flaws) spoke at the Dawn Service at Lake Hawea, while the CO (LT Grant Judson) spoke at the Grantiy Dawn Service, at Waimangaroa, and at the Westport Civic Service. In Westport the ship’s company provided the Catafalt Guard, the Firing Party and a platoon for the well-attended civic service.
HAWEA sailed from Westport in trying conditions, after heavy rain had increased the flow in the river. With the odd wave breaking on the bar and approximately three knots of current, the exit from Westport was a little challenging. It also looked spectacular as the ship’s bow cut through the 2–3 metre standing waves on the bar.
Next was a five day Customs patrol in Fiordland. With a massive low to the west of the South Island, the weather conditions were our biggest challenge especially when the boats were deployed out to 30 nm from the ship. However the patrol objectives were achieved and HAWEA rounded the bottom of the South Island to head for Bluff before subsequently heading north up the east coast of the South Island.