Nathan Kau Kau from Wairoa College onboard HMNZS RESOLUTION off Gisborne.
Friday 5 October, 2007
Having weathered typically challenging spring conditions while surveying in Hawke's Bay, it was with much relief that the Navy’s hydrographic survey vessel, HMNZS RESOLUTION, entered Poverty Bay. Thursday morning greeted the ship with fresh but clear weather and an equally fresh outlook from 11 enthusiastic and hungry students from Wairoa College.
Despite the presence of a residual southerly swell sweeping through the Bay, the option of continental or cooked breakfast was eagerly devoured by the students who had already experienced a speedy ride in the ship’s safety boat during the trip from the Gisborne slipway to the ship. The three hours at sea included the opportunity to steer the ship around the bay, try out the exercise equipment in the ship’s gymnasium and watch as the team onboard RESOLUTION brought the ship safely into Gisborne.
Also onboard for the morning were the recipients of the annual HMNZS RESOLUTION and HMNZS BLACKPOOL scholarships. As part of a joint initiative with the Gisborne District Council, the 46 members of RESOLUTION’s ship’s company personally contribute to the scholarships to assist in funding a voyage onboard the Spirit of New Zealand and facilitate holiday employment for the two selected students from the Gisborne area.
RESOLUTION’s Commanding Officer, Commander Murray Tuffin said “Gisborne really is a second home to RESOLUTION. Although the majority of ship’s company will always look forward to returning to their families and close friends in Auckland, the ship has a very special bond with Gisborne that will be strengthened as RESOLUTION progresses hydrographic survey work in Poverty Bay over the next twelve months.“
RESOLUTION will be open to the public from 11am until 3pm on Saturday 6 October while berthed at No.7 wharf off Kaiti Rd. She is scheduled to depart Gisborne at 10.30am Monday 8 October, to continue hydrographic survey operations in Hawke's Bay.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Manager, (09) 445 5002 or 021 244 0638