Dec 08 - HMNZS Te Mana
Since arriving back in Devonport Naval Base (Auckland) after our deployment, Te Mana has gone into the regeneration cycle focused on bringing us back up to scratch for next year. One of the major issues from sailing over 33,000 nm in 5 months is wear and tear both on machinery and personnel.
On the personnel front, most of us took some leave, spending time with families and friends. Once we had come back, work started in earnest to get the ship back in fighting shape, culminating in our Docking Ship Restricted Availability (DSRA) period. This involves an overhaul of the ship with particular emphasis - after our recent sandy environment - on intakes, upper decks, engines, and other problem areas. In addition, the underwater fittings and the hull itself need to be inspected, requiring a period in Calliope Dry Dock.
Above Image Right: HMNZS Te Mana In Dry Dock - HMNZS Philomel, Devonport Auckland (NIS-08-215).
Early one morning in late October Te Mana, in the charge of tugs, moved to the training jetty. Then we moved into the dry dock, using lines and the gentle persuasion of a tug aft. This process requires precision, especially when locating the ship on the blocks in the bottom of the dock. Divers were used to check the position of the ship before all the water was pumped out and the work began.
Te Mana stayed in dry dock until late November when she was moved out to join our fellow ships alongside. From alongside at DNB we wish everyone a merry Christmas
Below Image: VTF worker unblocking an intake (NIS-08-216).
