Media Advisory
23 May 2007
Defence Minister Phil Goff announced on Monday that the first of the Navy’s seven new Project Protector Ships, the multi-role vessel CANTERBURY, will arrive in New Zealand on 28 June.
"The commissioning of CANTERBURY next month represents the formal start of what will undoubtedly be a long period of service with the Navy and the beginning of her story within the Navy's story", says Rear Admiral David Ledson, Chief of Navy.
"It represents, too, another significant milestone in Project Protector and the transformation of the Navy from today's capable Navy to tomorrow's versatile Navy. By the end of next year this will be a Navy of 13 ships - which together bring a range of capabilities that can be applied across the spectrum of operations - and in support of coalition, joint New Zealand Defence Force and multi-agency missions around New Zealand and across the globe", he says.
Commanding Officer of CANTERBURY, Ashburton-born Commander Tony Millar, says "As a New Zealander and a Cantabrian I feel immensely proud to be able introduce our new ship to the people of her home province".
CANTERBURY will be formally commissioned into service on 12 June 2007 and her homecoming will start on 28 June when she berths in Lyttelton for her first homeport visit. She departs for Timaru on 4 July for a two day visit. A full programme of activities will be released prior to the visits.
Background
The Multi-Role Vessel CANTERBURY is the first of seven new ships built for the Royal New Zealand Navy under Project Protector. She is affiliated to the Canterbury Region. She was built at the Merwede Shipyard in the Netherlands, under contract to Tenix. CANTERBURY’s design is based on a commercial RO-RO ship, Ben-My-Chree in operation in the Irish Sea.
CANTERBURY will have diesel-electric propulsion and a maximum speed of just over 19 knots. She will provide a sealift capability for the transport and deployment of equipment, vehicles and personnel, and capable of transferring cargo and personnel ashore in benign conditions (up to sea state 3) when port facilities are not available. CANTERBURY has two 59 tonne Landing Craft Medium (LCM) capable of carrying 50 tonnes at 9 knots with a range of 250 nm.
Particulars of CANTERBURY
Displacement: 8000 tonnes
Length overall: 131 metres
Beam: 23.4 metres
Speed: 19 knots
Complement: Core ship's company: 53
Flight personnel: 10
Government agencies: 4
Army ship's staff: 7
Trainees: 35
Troops: 250
Total: 360
Propulsion: Diesel engines
Flight deck: Space for two helicopters
Armament: 25mm and two .50 calibre machine guns
Helicopter capability
The NH90 Helicopter has been selected as the NZDF’s preferred medium Utility Helicopter to replace RNZAF’S Iroquois. Up to four NH90’s can be carried onboard the MRV for deployment ashore in support of Army operations and disaster relief activities. The MRV is also capable of operating the SH-2G Seasprite and the helicopter deck is able to handle a Chinook-size helicopter.ENDS
For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Manager, on cell 021 244 0638 or Kirsty Clokie, Assistant Public Relations Manager Navy on 021 745 288.http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/project-protector/default.htm