NEW OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL HMNZS OTAGO ARRIVES IN AUCKLAND
The first of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS OTAGO, has arrived at Devonport Naval Base to a rousing welcome from Navy personnel.
OTAGO and her sister ship WELLINGTON will deliver substantial new capability to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer, and conduct more challenging operations than the Inshore Patrol Vessels, and will enable the RNZN to conduct extended patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and into the Pacific.
The Offshore Patrol Vessels will work with units of the defence force and government agencies such as the Ministry of Fisheries, Police, Maritime New Zealand and the Department of Conservation around the New Zealand coast, in the Pacific and Southern Ocean. The primary tasks of the new ships include:
a) Maritime counter-terrorism.
b) Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
c) Surface contact detection, identification, interception and boarding.
d) Apprehension and escort of vessels.
e) Maritime Search And Rescue (SAR)
After arriving at Devonport HMNZS OTAGO will have additional military equipment fitted and then the crew will undertake a period of training to work the ship up to full operational capability.
Additional Information
HMNZS OTAGO was accepted into the fleet by the Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr on 18 February 2010, in Melbourne.
The Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) HMNZS OTAGO and WELLINGTON deliver substantial new capability to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer, and conduct more challenging operations than the Inshore Patrol Vessels, and will enable the RNZN to conduct patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and into the Pacific.
The OPV’s are capable of many roles including maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They have the ability to conduct helicopter operations using a Seasprite SH2G helicopter, boarding operations using the ships Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or Military Support Operations with embarked forces.
The OPV’s have strengthened hulls which enable them to enter southern waters where ice may be encountered. They are not designed as ice-breakers or to enter Antarctic ice-packs, but have the range and capability to undertake patrols in the southern ocean where ice may be encountered.
The ships are highly automated and operate with a core crew of 35, plus 10 flight crew to operate a helicopter. The ships power and control systems are fully computerised.
Specification
Displacement: 1900 tonnes
Length: 85 metres
Beam: 14 metres
Speed: 22 knots
Range: 6000 nautical miles
Propulsion: 2x MAN Burmeister & Wain 12RK280 diesels producing 5400 kW
Core Complement: 35
Flight personnel: 10
Multi Agency Complement:4
Additional personnel: 30
Total Complement: 79
Boat Capacity: 2 x 7.3 m Zodiac RHIBs deployable by 2 x Powered Davits