Tauranga engineers focused on refurbishment of Navy’s logistics vessel

Lieutenants Cat Enticott and Philip Kim, both from Tauranga, are deep into the logistics of Canterbury’s five-year maintenance works, a substantial overhaul and refresh of the ship’s systems during six months at Tuas Shipping Yard, Singapore.

So far the pair have overseen a diesel engine overhaul, galley refresh, engine control upgrade and refurbishment of the ballast water treatment system, sewage treatment plant and the ship’s Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

Lieutenant Kim, 31, says their normal seagoing routine would involve administration of the engineer department, machinery state reports and management of the ship’s stability, fuel and environmental compliance.

“In a maintenance period, our workload increases significantly. That, combined with the heat and humidity, can be a challenge.”

Born in Korea, he grew up in Tauranga and joined the Navy in 2021 after graduating from university.

“I wanted to challenge myself and experience personal and professional growth through a career in the New Zealand Defence Force,” he says.

“It’s a different life and career to the ordinary, involving service to my country. I also wanted to travel to some unique places.

“But right now, I’m limiting myself to staying in Singapore to focus on the maintenance work.”

Lieutenant Enticott, 27, says they generally manage to get weekends off and is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Vietnam.

“To be honest, I usually use the weekend to rest and recharge rather than travel too far.”

Like Lieutenant Kim, she is spending her days coordinating the maintenance works.

“You’re working with contractors and the project team and dealing with the many unexpected issues that come up when you take a ship apart and put it back together again.

“Dry dock and maintenance environment is very different from normal shipboard life. It’s constantly changing and there’s lots of different people and organisations on board.

“It has definitely been challenging, but it’s also been a great opportunity to develop my leadership and problem-solving skills.”

A particular highlight was her husband coming to Singapore for a month.

“It was nice to be able to share some of the Singapore experience with him.”

She joined the Navy in 2017, looking for a career that promised continual learning.

“My dad was in the Army, so I grew up with an awareness of the Defence Force,” she says.

“I wanted a career where I could gain qualifications and experience, and have the opportunity to travel, without having to pay for university myself.”

Both officers are looking forward to getting back to normal ship routine and catching up with family and friends when they return to New Zealand.

“And not having to think about the ship 24/7!” says Lieutenant Enticott.