2 April 2007
The Navy’s Hydrographic and Survey Ship, HMNZS RESOLUTION, returned to the Naval Base on Friday 30 March after a successful five days working with the Department of Conservation (DOC) completing a six monthly resupply of Raoul Island. The task included providing over six thousand kilograms of food, equipment spares and fuel, as well as exchange of personnel, in order to maintain a permanent presence on the Island.
RESOLUTION departed for Raoul Island on 19 March supplemented by 14 DOC personnel. Some of the DOC personnel spent five days on the Island carrying out scientific tasks and/or assisting with technical repairs. Others will spend the next six months on Raoul Island as part of the permanent presence conducting conservation tasks on the island.
RESOLUTION’s Commanding Officer, Commander Murray Tuffin says,
“The ship’s company have enjoyed the variety of the task. Although not what most of them had in mind when visualising overseas visits, the challenges of the isolated environment, 600 nautical miles North East of New Zealand, and the involvement of everyone onboard in a very hand’s on task has been a valuable experience”.
Commander Tuffin highlights that providing support to other Government agencies in a whole-of-government approach is an important part of every Navy vessel’s programme. Delivery of the Protector Fleet of seven new ships will be a significant boost for the protection of NZ borders, resources and national interests and continues NZDF/Multiagency cooperation.
For the DOC personnel returning after six months work on Raoul Island it will be a return of mixed emotions having developed a strong bond with the small Raoul community and the challenging environment they faced each day.
The next port of call for RESOLUTION will be New Plymouth where she will be conducting survey operations and personnel will be attending ANZAC day services in the region.
ENDS
For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Manager, (09) 4455002 or 021 244 0638.
Photo caption: Able Seaman Andy Anderson left, from Kaitaia and Able Combat System Specialist ‘Bids’ Bidois from Palmerston North awaiting the return of the DOC Boom to send another load of eagerly awaited stores to Raoul Island.