Media Advisory
12 June 2007
HMNZS CANTERBURY, the Navy’s newest and largest ship, was officially commissioned into service in Melbourne today by the Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Rear Admiral David Ledson, Chief of Navy, said, ”The commissioning of CANTERBURY formalises the ship becoming part of the Navy. It's a great occasion for the Navy and for the Defence Force as we can now start working towards fully exploiting the tremendous range of new capabilities the ship gives us.”
Commander Tony Millar, Commanding Officer of HMNZS CANTERBURY, said “The ship’s company can be rightly proud of all of the work they have put in, and all they have accomplished in such a short period. They are great New Zealanders.”
HMNZS CANTERBURY’s formal handover occurred on 31 May. She will arrive in Lyttelton for her homecoming on June 28. She will then visit Timaru between 4 and 6 July before arriving at the Devonport Naval Base, the home of the Navy, in late July.
Photo caption: Commander Tony Millar, Captain of HMNZS CANTERBURY with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Honourable Helen Clark - Lady Sponsor of HMNZS CANTERBURY, at the commissioning.
ENDS
For further information or photography, please contact Kirsty Clokie, Assistant Public Relations Manager Navy on 021 745 288.
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: 9000 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.