HMNZS OTAGO bound for Rarotonga
The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) is three quarters of the way through her inaugural visit to the South Pacific, and spent yesterday conducting training exercises with two Australian frigates, HMAS PERTH and SYDNEY, and the Samoan Police Patrol Craft NUFANAU.
Commanding Officer of HMNZS OTAGO, Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke, said that training with other nation’s ships is something that everyone in the Royal New Zealand Navy looks forward to.
Right: HMAS PERTH from the bridge of OTAGO during exercises off Apia.
“Having a New Zealand, Australian and Samoan ship training together is fantastic, and contributes greatly to enhancing regional maritime security. It’s an opportunity we always make the most of. The training keeps our mariner skills up to a professional level and allows the crew to complete ‘task book’ training. Training is ongoing; everyday at sea is a training day.”
OTAGO has made operational visits to Tonga, the Tokelau Islands and Samoa. Concurrently to the operational tasks, OTAGO has been conducting warm weather trials to confirm the ships capability to tolerate and operate in Pacific waters and higher temperatures.
While on route east to Rarotonga, OTAGO will carry out a patrol through the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.