17 April, 2007
The Navy’s Hydrographic and Survey Vessel, HMNZS RESOLUTION, along with the Navy Deployable Hydrographic Surveying Unit and the Navy Mine Counter Measures Force Element, is conducting survey training in the vicinity of the Doubtless Bay area from Monday 16 April until Thursday 19 April.
The group will be involved in Rapid Environmental Assessment techniques which enable a timely assessment of underwater and shoreline conditions to guarantee safe passage for boats and ships. These techniques are especially useful following significant natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding where it is suspected that underwater conditions, and the shape of the seabed, may have changed.
Although this training has been programmed for quite some time it is a timely coincidence that it takes place so soon after the significant flooding that the district experienced.
The next port of call for HMNZS RESOLUTION is New Plymouth over the period 21 – 26 April to attend Anzac Day events in the area.
Particulars
Length - 68.3 m
Draught - 4.4 m
Displacement - 2,262 tonnes
Speed - 11 knots
Complement - 45
Pennant Number - A14
Commanding Officer - Commander Murray Tuffin (Wanganui)
ENDS
For further information, please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Public Relations Manager Navy, (09) 445 5002 or 021 244 0638.
Background
Roles assigned to HMNZS RESOLUTION include Hydrographic survey and Oceanographic research tasks previously undertaken by HMNZ Ships MONOWAI and TUI.
The ship 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 hydrographic survey work completed by Captain James Cook, Royal Navy, throughout New Zealand in his sailing vessel HMS RESOLUTION.