13 February, 2007
For the fifth year in a row, HMNZS RESOLUTION, the Navy’s hydro graphic and survey vessel, will berth at Napier at 10:00 am on the 15th February 2007, in support of the Art Deco Weekend.
HMNZS RESOLUTION will be berthed at the Port of Napier from 15-19 February 2007 coinciding with the 2007 Brebner Print Art Deco festival. RESOLUTION has participated in the festival on five previous occasions, most recently in 2006 which also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Hawke's Bay earthquake. Unfortunately the ship will not be open to the public during this visit.
The Commanding Officer, Commander Murray Tuffin highlights that, “RESOLUTION has a very strong association with the city of Napier and 2007 will be especially significant in that it coincides with the 10th anniversary of commissioning RESOLUTION into the Royal New Zealand Navy. The recent assistance that was provided to a fishing vessel in distress off Napier illustrates the potential dangers of being at sea and the dependence on each other that is shared by all mariners and maritime communities.”
The Navy is also looking forward to a closer relationship with Napier as the designated home port for the future HMNZS ROTOITI, one of its new Project Protector ships currently under construction in Whangarei. This association will build on the strong links between the Navy and Napier, established after sailors provided support and assistance following the 1931 earthquake.
1. HMS VERONICA was alongside Napier at the time of the 1931 earthquake and raised the alarm. Three hours later the cruisers DUNEDIN and DIOMEDE sailed from Devonport to bring emergency supplies to Napier. The assistance provided by naval personnel during the earthquake recovery is highly regarded and references to naval involvement are expected during the Art Deco weekend. The Veronica Bell ceremony and a church service on Sun 18th February celebrate the Navy’s involvement and commemorate the events during the earthquake aftermath.
Commander Tuffin, and his ship’s company of 48 men and women, will represent the Navy over the weekend and they look forward to engaging with the community by participating in many events - including street parades and church services. HMNZS RESOLUTION will sail from Napier on Monday 19 February and return to her survey duties in the Bay of Plenty/Hawke's Bay areas.
The ship will not be open to the public on this visit.
Particulars:
Length - 68.3 m
Draught - 6.4 m
Displacement -2,262 tonnes
Speed - 11 knots
Complement - 49
Pennant Number - A14
ENDS
For further information, and interviews with the Commanding Officer of RESOLUTION, please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Public Relations Manager Navy, (09) 445 5002 or 021 244 0638. For more information on the Project Protector Vessels - www.navy.mil.nz.
Background
Roles assigned to HMNZS RESOLUTION include Hydro graphic survey and Oceanographic research tasks previously undertaken by HMNZ Ships MONOWAI and TUI.
HMNZS RESOLUTION was commissioned into the United Stated Navy in 1989 as USNS TENACIOUS, during which time she was used as a towed array sonar vessel deployed for three months at a time streaming a two-mile underwater listening device. HMNZS RESOLUTION was acquired by the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1997.
The name RESOLUTION was selected in recognition of the extensive hydro graphic survey work completed by Captain James Cook, Royal Navy, throughout New Zealand in his sailing vessel HMS RESOLUTION. Currently onboard are three personnel with family connections in the Hawke's Bay District – Able Stores Assistant Steve King and Able Hydro graphic Operator James Baldwin are both from Napier, and Able Hydrogaphic Operator Greg Carter is from Wairoa.