Feb 08 - RESOLUTION survey west of Great Mercury Island
Following the port visit to Tauranga, the ship sailed for new survey grounds to the west of the Great Mercury Islands on Mon 4 Feb and experienced excellent conditions on the passage north, taking the opportunity to conduct boat drills, even allowing the Executive Officer the chance to drive the sea boat! However, upon reaching the survey grounds the wind and sea picked up, pushing conditions out of limits for accurate surveying and the decision to seek shelter was made. The western side of Great Mercury proved to be a haven from the swell and wind, and was very popular with the pleasure cruisers and sailors as well. The Ship’s company took the prospect of a night at anchor in their stride and fishing was commenced in fairly short order, with the Supply Officer joining in to supplement the menu. The weather remained out of survey limits the next day, so a team of Hydrographic Ratings and Officers was sent ashore to Great Mercury and conducted some valuable beach survey training, much to the intrigue of the locals.
Image Right: Hydrographic Ratings setting up a Tide pole on Great Mercury Island, with RES in the background (NIS-02-049).
Thursday 7 Feb saw the conditions ease enough for the ship to resume surveying, so the anchor was weighed and the ship proceeded to the survey grounds and work was started. During this period, the ships company undertook weapons training and even conducted a shoot on a streamed target. The relatively small survey area was completed on Sunday 10 Feb and passage was made to the Shipping lane survey area in Hawke Bay.
The focus is now shifting towards the Shipping lane survey work and our imminent arrival in Napier on Thursday 14 Feb and our part in the Art Deco festivities.
Image Left: Target shooting at sea (NIS-02-050).
Image Right: ASCS Ripia firing the Steyr 5.56mm rifle (NIS-02-051).