PREPPING FOR THE KERMADECS - ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY
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#
2
3
1 TRIBUTE TO
A CHRISTCHURCH
P
R DHV ON
1 THE MOVE
9
AN OBSERVER’S
ROLE
Prepping
FOR the
Kermadecs
Contents
03 Yours Aye 16 MATATAUA on the level
04 Tribute to Mosque victims 20 30 years engineering
08 Sisters share ship 22 Limited Service Volunteer
11 Gallipoli legacy 30 Bathurst minesweepers
12 Special Forces 33 Naval simulation
“We always say we have got
the best job in the Navy.
I don’t know why more
people don’t do it.”
~ LT Terry Rawhiti
21 08 30
Navy Today is the official magazine Contributions are welcomed,
of the Royal New Zealand Navy. including stories, photographs and
Established to inform, inspire letters. Please submit stories and
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Wellington, New Zealand Today cannot be published elsewhere
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Editor:
NZNavy navy.mil.nz Andrew Bonallack Copy deadline for the
Email: navytoday@nzdf.mil.nz June issue 15 May, 2019.
Subject to change.
Design and Layout:
Defence Public Affairs Views expressed in Navy Today Cover:
NZDefenceForce are not necessarily those of the Leading Helicopter Loadmaster Steph
Printed by: Roberts watches from a No. 6 Squadron
RNZN or the NZDF.
Bluestar SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter, flying
Private Bag 39996, Wellington Defence Careers: above HMNZS WELLINGTON during
Phone: 0800 1FORCE preparations for her Kermadec Island
Feedback to: (0800 136 723) resupply mission.
dean.hodgson@nzdf.mil.nz on the www.defencecareers.mil.nz
print quality of this publication is Photographer:
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Yours Aye
Chief of Navy
March was a tough month for the Looking ahead, I note we are about
nation, the New Zealand Defence to shift from ‘planning’ to ‘doing’ in
Force and the Navy. Our country, regards to HIKI ANO, which, over
and indeed the world, was rocked by the next few months aims to remedy
the horrific and unfathomable events critical personnel readiness issues.
which occurred in Christchurch I, like many of you, have received the
on 15 March. The Navy was a vital brief from MCC and his staff and I
part of the NZDF’s contribution am confident our efforts will address
to the massive national response. professional development backlogs
The complete impact of that day and improve individual deployability.
has yet to be fully appreciated, And it looks like we might have
however, I am proud of how we a good bit of fun as we go about
responded as a Navy community executing HIKI ANO – I hope so.
and as a nation. Of particular
I am mindful that by the time you
importance to me was our clear
read this, the future MANAWANUI
and strong commitment to being a
will have transited the Panama Canal
nation that is diverse and inclusive.
and will be almost in New Zealand.
Then, later in the month, the Army Her arrival and commissioning
lost a young soldier in a tragic motor into the RNZN in June represents
vehicle accident. On the same day, the first of many enhancements
“Of particular we were all shocked to hear that
Able Diver Zachary Yarwood had
in our combat capability expected
in the next couple of years. Albeit
importance to me died during a dive training exercise.
Zac’s passing was devastating for all
there is much work to be done to
introduce MANAWANUI into service,
was our clear and
of us, and the effect of his loss will her arrival represents an exciting
be far-reaching within the Navy and and positive future for the RNZN.
strong commitment
the wider NZDF whanau. Several
As the season changes and the
investigations have been initiated
shorter days take hold, remember to
into this tragic accident so we can
to being a nation understand what happened and
take care of yourself, your family and
your shipmates.
ensure we are doing everything
that is diverse and possible to be safer in how we He heremana ahau.
train in the future. We who serve
inclusive.” acknowledge risk on operations;
however, no one should be injured or
killed under training.
I cannot pretend to imagine the
loss experienced by Zac’s fiancée,
parents, and family. At Zac’s Memorial
and Thanks Giving Service at St
Christopher’s Chapel, and then at his
funeral in Napier, I reminded his family
that they would remain part of our Rear Admiral David Proctor
whanau forever – such is the spirit Chief of Navy
of our Navy community. My sincere
condolences and thoughts stay with
Emily, Elizabeth, Chris, Tom and Max,
Zac’s shipmates, and his friends.
Navy Today #231 | 3
Devonport Naval Base personnel honour those lost in the Christchurch Mosque shootings with a service beside the memorial wall at the base.
Oerlikon gun
returned
In late March the Navy returned a
20mm Oerlikon gun to the East Coast
Bays RSA, Auckland, after it was
taken in for a refurbishment exercise
for the Navy’s Marine and Weapon
Technician students (Navy Today 219).
Plaques removed from this Oerlikon
show it was last used on frigate
HMNZS OTAGO up to November
1983, when OTAGO paid off. The
guns were used in their thousands
during World War II and after.
Super-
structure
These latest images of AOTEAROA,
under construction at Ulsan in South
Korea, show the lifting of the hanger
and funnel superstructure onto
the main body of the ship. In the
meantime, the bridge superstructure,
nearly complete, sits in front of the
ship. AOTEAROA will be ‘launched’ by
flooding the drydock later this month.
Wingover
Number Six Squadron wowed
audiences as part of the
New Zealand Defence Force’s
contribution to Wings Over
Wairarapa in February, which
included the Commanding
Officer of No. 6 Squadron,
Commander Owen Rodger,
executing a “wingover” for
the audience’s benefit.
6 | Navy Today #231
Photo credit: Jade Cvetkov Photography
News
DHV departs for
New Zealand
The Dive Hydro Vessel is on her way
At midday on 23 March, The departure follows a remarkable equipment technicians carried
Edda Fonn – the future Dive five-week turn-round of Stage 1 out the tests with project team
Hydro Vessel MANAWANUI modifications at the Ørskov shipyard members and RNZN subject
– commenced her 22,000km in Frederikshavn, Denmark, which matter experts observing.
delivery voyage (46-days) from included the installation of two
The “very collaborative approach”
Denmark to New Zealand. She mezzanine decks, a diving system,
from the owners, Østensjø
will transit across the Atlantic a remotely operated vehicle (ROV),
Rederi, enhanced the speed
Ocean, through the Panama Canal a new engine, a hydrographic
of the modifications, says DHV
and across the Pacific Ocean, survey system, two davits, and an
Acquisition Lead, Keith Gilchrist.
to arrive in New Zealand on or exterior repaint.
Both Østensjø Rederi’s team
around 12 May, depending on Sea Acceptance trials, which took and the RNZN co-located at the
progress. Twelve future members another two weeks, focused on testing shipyard to maximise time spent
of MANAWANUI’s Ship’s Company the diving bell, ROV and hydrographic on the project.
are embarked for training. system. Contracted commercial
divers, ROV pilots and hydrographic
Navy Today #231 | 7
Sisters
serve
at sea
together
By Suzi Phillips
Two sisters, one
from Army and
one from Navy,
shared a trip to
sea on HMNZS
WELLINGTON
to the Kermadec
Islands in March.
8 | Navy Today #231
Prepping for the Kermadecs
“ I was excited to be
on board with Jade,
it was cool to have
a familiar face on
board and have
someone to ask
about the Navy and
get her insight.”
~ Lance Corporal Tamika Taikato
Lance Corporal Tamika Taikato, 23, It was stories of life in the Navy from “We unhooked 22 loads in one day
is a Movement Operator with the the sisters’ cousin, Petty Officer and more than 40 loads in total,
Army’s Logistics Regiment based at Combat System Specialist Andre so it was great to get that level of
Linton and has been to sea several Taikato (who served 17 years in the intensity,” says LCPL Taikato.
times with the Navy. Her younger Navy and is now in the Navy Reserve)
sister, Able Communications Warfare that inspired them to join the Last year also saw LCPL Taikato
Specialist Jade Taikato, was having New Zealand Defence Force. participating in an exercise in
her first sea-going experience since Papua New Guinea and in
“I liked Andre’s stories, but I get seasick Antarctic resupply.
joining the Navy in 2017.
and preferred to serve on land,” says
The Whangamata sisters were LCPL Taikato. “I liked the promise of After high school, ACWS Taikato
part of a regular resupply mission developing self-discipline in the Army had a year travelling in 2016,
that the Navy makes to Raoul as I’m naturally lazy and was a bit shy. before graduating from her Navy
Island twice a year, to support In this role I travel a lot and have to be basic training in December 2017
the Department of Conservation outgoing, so joining the Army was followed by trade training as a
base there and research work good for me.” Communications Warfare
by scientists on the island. This Specialist in July 2018.
She joined the Army in February 2015
mission, WELLINGTON transported “Andre was always telling us good
and completed her basic training at
20 government staff and 13 tonnes stories about being in the Navy,” says
Waiouru Military Camp in June. She
of supplies and equipment. ACWS Taikato. “When he was based
did her movement operator trade
“I was excited to be on board with training at Linton Army Camp and at Devonport Naval Base, he showed
Jade,” says LCPL Taikato. “It was then spent a couple of years there, me around a few times and so I had
cool to have a familiar face on board “doing the hard yards, including a lot some exposure to the Navy and liked
and have someone to ask about the of sweeping the hanger. the environment there.
Navy and get her insight.” “I wanted to travel and play sport and
“Since then I’ve had a lot of trips away,”
“We didn’t see a lot of each other she says. “I was deployed on a major I could do both of those in the Navy
once we got to the island, as one exercise in the South Pacific with as well as study. It’s a good lifestyle
of us works on the ship and one on HMNZS CANTERBURY in April 2018, in the Navy,” she says.
land,” she says. “But it was great to and so I was at sea before Jade.”
“This is my first ship and my first time
catch up on the way to Raoul and
The highlight of her trip to the offshore from New Zealand, so it was
back to Auckland.”
Kermadec Islands with WELLINGTON great experience and the biggest
They were often able to participate was having the chance to work with challenges were learning the ship,
in some of the ship’s daily PT consistently with the helicopter, no phone service, and leading the
sessions together and tried to working on land and unhooking loads. Morale Committee on board –
meet up for dinner too. getting everyone involved.”
Navy Today #231 | 9
NZBR 2015 –
helping us all to
be ‘Safe to Fight’
The RNZN Health
and Safety Manual
By Cdr R McLaughlin
Director Naval Safety and Health
Last month’s Navy Today Health The manual has been approved The SEMT will replace all the various
and Safety article communicated by DCN for issue and has been Safety Event reporting methods (of
being ‘Safe to Fight’. The deliberately numbered NZBR ‘2015’ which N-SHAIR is but one) and is
premise of being ‘Safe to Fight’ after the NZ Health and Safety at due for deployment later this year.
encompasses those existing Work Act 2015 legislation. The link to
Part C is an updated and expanded
elements within the Naval System NZBR 2015 can be found on both the
list of the recognised specific
that make up our very distinct NAVOSH ILP Menu as well as through
hazards in the RNZN environment
NZ military maritime safety the Navy Publications ILP Menu.
to that previously listed in NZBR 1.
culture, including systems and
NZBR 2015 comprises three parts
concepts like ‘Safe Sailor Action’, With the publication of NZBR 2015
designed to meet both current and
Operational Risk Assessment, the range of RNZN publications
projected future needs.
Accident/Incident Reporting, incorporating H&S requirements
Seaworthiness, Small Arms Part A is practical policy information has been amended and in some
Training and SARC assessment. spanning definitions, SHEMs, cases there have been significant
It has been quite heartening to Contractor Management, Investigation, removals of sections or cancellation
hear in a short space of time HAZSUBs/Dangerous Goods, in the case of Navy Orders (e.g.
more and more of our Naval etc. While Part A is labelled for 02/2017 N-SHAIR Reporting
System personnel using the term Commanders and Managers, it Process and Roles).
‘Safe to Fight’. actually contains sound definitions
As noted in the Authority Order
and descriptions of relevance for all
But having a catch phrase isn’t for NZBR 2015, any amendments
personnel working right across the
much use if the Naval Health or improvements are to be forwarded
Naval System.
and Safety safety management through the normal command
system policies, needed to fulfil Part B is RNZN direction for Safety chain to the Director of Naval
our responsibilities to the NZDF Risk Management (SRM). This Part Safety and Health.
and to each other, are scattered comprises only one section at present
My thanks go to Commanders
across a significant number of on Assurance through Safety Case
Henderson and Fotheringham for
Navy publications. Now, like our management but further sections
their efforts in spearheading the
Army and Air Force counterparts, are intended (including training and
development of NZBR 2015 and the
we have consolidated the RNZN management responsibilities) as safety
patience and support from Christine
Safety Management System case management and the support
and Pam in the Publications team.
(SMS) into one manual – NZBR process matures. Also intended for
2015, the RNZN Health inclusion in Part B will be the Safety NZBR 2015 – helping us all in the
and Safety Manual. Event Management Tool (SEMT). Naval System to be ‘Safe to Fight’.
10 | Navy Today #231Whangarei
woman
takes
family
taonga to
Gallipoli
By Jane Keig
Heritage Culture and Protocol
Chief Petty Officer Steward Nic Irvine “It’s going to be very special for me to Both Robert and William survived the
carefully lifts a family taonga from its pay respects to both men’s service on war. William went on to represent
box and cradles it in her hands. Like Anzac Day at Gallipoli this year.” New Zealand as an All Black and
a medal, but larger, it features two together with his son Ian (CPOSTD
CAPT Irvine joined the Royal New
soldiers and a donkey on one side Irvine’s grandfather) became one of
Zealand Artillery as a blacksmith in
and an engraving of Australia and New Zealand’s most famous father-
1914 and sailed to Egypt with the
New Zealand under the Southern son rugby representatives.
Main Body. His role comprised of
Cross constellation on the other. It’s
horse shoeing and general care of the CPOSTD Irvine says she has had a
the ANZAC Commemorative Medallion
horses that pulled artillery into the line. really diverse career since joining
(or Gallipoli Medallion) awarded to her
the Navy in 2000. As well as being
great-great-great grandfather. In September 1915, due to ‘extreme
a Steward, she is also a Flight Deck
circumstances’, he was trained and
Whangarei-born CPOSTD Irvine Officer.
promoted to Veterinary Officer and
is one of 31 New Zealand Defence
served on the Gallipoli peninsula. “One day I can be at sea working with
Force personnel taking part in this
He later went on to serve on the helicopters; the next, working high
year’s Anzac Day commemorations
Western Front and was mentioned in profile functions or managing my team,
at Gallipoli. While she will be assisting
dispatches by Sir Douglas Haig. empowering them to make the most
members of the public attending the
out of their careers. It is definitely a life
commemorations on 24 and 25 April, Brigadier General Johnston held
less ordinary” CPOSTD Irvine says.
she will also be undertaking a personal Captain Irvine in such high regard that
pilgrimage on behalf of her family. he wrote of him in 1918 to Minister of “I am very honoured to have the
Defence James Allen: opportunity to go to Gallipoli and am
“My great-great-great grandfather,
very grateful I have a chance to do it
Captain Robert Irvine, served on “He is by far and away my best horse
while still serving.”
Gallipoli and his son, William Irvine, master and has saved the country
also served on the Western Front”, hundreds of pounds by his care and
says CPOSTD Irvine. knowledge of his horses…At anything
to do with horses and to handle men
he has few equals.”
Navy Today #231 | 11Special Forces
descend on
Canterbury
A boat descending from the sky
is not the usual view for HMNZS
CANTERBURY’s Ship’s Company.
HMNZS CANTERBURY became the underneath their parachutes. Had
strategic sealift ship for a Special the load failed the soldiers would have
Forces exercise, with boats and been stranded in the middle of the
soldiers parachuted from two sea, resulting in mission failure.”
No. 40 Squadron C-130 Hercules
Once back on CANTERBURY, the
into the Hauraki Gulf. The soldiers
soldiers were then taken in an RNZAF
were required to board their
NH90 helicopter to conduct ‘Helocast
boats, get them going and proceed
Drills’, requiring them to jump from the
to HMNZS CANTERBURY.
helicopter into the sea. The exercise
“This was an exercise in concluded with NH90’s low flying
interoperability that required detailed toward CANTERBURY to fast-rope
planning and control in its execution,” assault teams onto the ship while it
said an NZSOF officer. “This was in was underway.
order to coordinate the various assets
It was a full-on exercise for
to deliver troops to precise locations
CANTERBURY’s Ship Amphibious
on precise timings and operate as a
Load Team (SALT), said Warrant
single task force, ensuring soldiers
Officer 2 Alan Brill (SALTWO).
could flow seamlessly between the
“Everyone had to be on point as an
land, sea and air.”
endless stream of flights and various
It was a tricky exercise in terms of craft and their crews were moving to
weight, says the movement operator. and from the ship at what seemed
“It was a balancing act to ensure the to be the same time. However, our
boats and equipment were set up training and processes proved to
correctly and weighted ‘just right’ be sound. We were moving people
so the boats would fly correctly safely and without delay.”
Right: A loadmaster watches as the
Special Forces team jumps from a C-130
Hercules into the Hauraki Gulf.
12 | Navy Today #231Descent on Canterbury Navy Today #231 | 13
Te Mana’s
HMNZS TE MANA eased into years old. It will take two months to
Esquimalt Harbour, Canada, on 12 de-store her, then she will be handed
March, with her crew taking in the over to Lockheed Martin Canada to
turn in
curious sight of sister ship HMNZS start the work, while the crew return to
TE KAHA, alongside the wharf and New Zealand.
partially stripped down for refit. It is
Shortly after the Mosque shootings
TE MANA’s turn in the programme to
Canada
in Christchurch, TE MANA, the Keep
undergo her Frigate Systems Upgrade,
Alive Team for TE KAHA and the
a process started almost exactly a
personnel of the Frigate System
year ago with TE KAHA.
Upgrade team mustered on the
TE MANA can look forward to flight deck to observe two minutes
new radars, electronic detection of silence and the half-masting of
equipment, a self-defence missile colours. The Canadian Navy also half-
system, missile and torpedo decoys masted and thousands of Canadian
and an upgrade to her hull-mounted sailors observed the two minutes in
sonar, replacing equipment that is 20 a show of solidarity and support.
14 | Navy Today #231Change of Command
HMNZS TE Mana
By Suzi Phillips For CDR Peebles, the desire to go to when operating as part of a combined
sea was strong and after he graduated Task Force for maritime security
Since he first served on Anzac from Junior Officer Common Training, operations off the Coast of Africa.
frigate HMNZS TE MANA 18 years he posted to TE MANA in 2001 for
His command of TE MANA begins with
ago, the ship’s new Commanding three months at sea where the ship
the ship based in Canada, undergoing
Officer, Commander Mike Peebles, took part in a major international
a major systems upgrade.
has gained extensive international exercise off Darwin.
experience. “The regeneration package for the
“I vividly remember, standing on the
ship will result in new capabilities that
CDR Peebles, 36, returned to bridge with fighter jets passing low
will put us on par or above any Navy in
HMNZS TE MANA earlier this month, overhead, buzzing the ship in simulated
the world,” he says. “Although a long
becoming one of the youngest frigate attacks. That made a big impression
process, the outcome makes it more
Commanding Officers in the Royal on me as a fresh-faced 19 year old and
than worthwhile.”
New Zealand Navy’s history. it cemented the feeling that this was
where I should be,” he says. His challenges include building the
“People are what makes the Navy
ship’s company, both in Canada and
and being part of this amazing team He followed that first posting with
in Auckland, and generating the ship’s
drives me, along with getting so many successful specialisation training as
new capabilities from the systems
opportunities to have fun while doing a warfare officer on board inshore
upgrade to bring her home and
my job,” he says. patrol and support ships and gained
ready to deploy.
operational and general service
He was born and raised in Taranaki
medals for maritime operations in the “I’m looking forward to bringing the
and joined the Navy immediately after
Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. ship to life again after an intrusive
gaining University Bursary at New
upgrade, and developing and
Plymouth Boys’ High School. CDR Peebles has considerable frigate
preparing it for the next stage of
experience, with two separate postings
“All my mates went to university, but I its life,” he says. “We will be busy
on HMNZS TE KAHA as Navigation
had a love of the sea and wanted to do generating capabilities, enhancing
Officer and later Executive Officer,
something different and exciting,” he both individual and collective training,
receiving the Defence Meritorious
says. “I enjoyed the social and sporting and preparing for the future by
Service Medal during the latter.
aspects of school, and as a prefect bringing the ship back to New Zealand
loved the leadership challenges, the He assisted with the successful ready to advance New Zealand’s
camaraderie and getting involved in interception and confiscation of interests from the sea as a capable,
every activity possible.” almost 260 kg of narcotics in 2015 and credible fighting force.”
Navy Today #231 | 15Exercise Hydrographers of
HMNZS MATATAUA
and the Hydrographic
Anchorite School attended
Exercises Anchorite
and Bushnell in
Whitianga over three
weeks last month.
16 | Navy Today #231Exercise Anchorite
Below: AHSO Tihema Rurehe and
AHSO Ana-Marie Conroy recover
the REMUS 100 on the new Surtees
PATHFINDER workboat.
The purpose of the exercises was The Hydrographers were returned
to ensure that all members of to their operational teams in the final
MATATAUA’s Military Hydrographic week to apply the skills they had learnt
Group (MHG) were able to meet in the first two weeks. The weather
the Directed Level of Capability was less favourable during that week,
(DLOC) across all aspects of so teams had to adapt to find areas
military hydrography and use providing more shelter from the strong
of the Autonomous Underwater winds and large swell, while achieving
Vehicles (AUVs) along with the same outcomes. Team 1 on
testing the Unit’s newly delivered ADVENTURE surveyed several bays,
Littoral Workboat “Pathfinder”. including Cook’s Beach and Whitianga
The Hydrographic School used Harbour, which proved challenging
the opportunity to link in with on a fast incoming tide with a mix
MATATAUA exercises to conduct of fresh and salt water complicating
the fieldwork phase of the the sound-velocity profiles. Team
Leading Hydrographic Systems 2 conducted surveys of Matarangi were open to allow CANTERBURY
Technician’s course. Harbour, Opito Bay and Peach Grove and WELLINGTON to come alongside
Bay on Mercury Island to find potential DNB, conduct beach surveys for
For the first two weeks personnel
beach landings sites and continued CANTERBURY’s LCMs to get
were split into four teams and
work with CANTERBURY. Team 3 provisions and aid ashore to Waiheke
rotated through stances including
practised AUV operations using two Island and Whangaparaoa Peninsula,
learning and operating the Multi
REMUS simultaneously to cover a and to search for wrecked vessels
Beam Echo Sounder on SMB
larger area, and the use of a dummy that sunk following the tsunami. It
ADVENTURE, conducting Rapid
mine to replicate MCM operations wasn’t all straightforward though; one
Environmental Assessments (REA)
where the team would locate an member of each team had a “medical
of beaches, using Pathfinder to
underwater explosive device and pass emergency” injected during their
deploy REMUS 100 AUV in order
this information back to the Navy’s survey, the teams had to deal with
to find wrecks and mines, and
Mine-Clearance Divers for disposal. disgruntled locals, and they each had
finally processing survey data
a man overboard. The training period
using the CARIS software. It Upon return to Auckland, the teams
ended with a large aftershock where
had earlier been identified that put all their skills learnt in Whitianga
teams had to abandon their survey
HMNZS CANTERBURY would to the test with a surprise scenario;
and retreat to higher ground.
be conducting Landing Craft Auckland had just been struck by 7.1
training in the vicinity, and so magnitude earthquake and tsunami. By the end of the week, the
interoperability between the units All road access out of the city was hydrographers of MATATAUA had the
was aptly demonstrated by the cut and the airport at Whenuapai was confidence they were able to meet
REA products being delivered too badly damaged for assistance to the required outputs for what will be a
to CANTERBURY to use when come from anywhere other than the busy year ahead, while also prepared
conducting LCM operations on four sea. The teams were tasked to ensure to meet short-notice operational
different beaches. Auckland shipping lanes and wharves requirements.
Navy Today #231 | 171 2
4 5
8 9
18 | Navy Today #2313
Our
People
1. LHST Samuel Martin, HMNZS
6 7 MATATAUA, transits out of Whitianga
Harbour on the Mk05 boat, with
Pathfinder in convoy astern.
2. Tower de Force team members
OMT(L) Benjamin Ruddiman and
AMT(L) Travis Nock practise for
inside the Sky Tower. The event was
later cancelled.
3. LMED Sarah Kaulima-Clifford
carrys out some basic medical checks
on a sailor in HMNZS WELLINGTON.
4. ASTD Leish MacGregor holds up
CDR Tim Hall’s freshly ironed shirt
as part of her duties as Steward in
HMNZS WELLINGTON.
5. SLT Kent Wheeler (in white)
graduates as a pilot among his
Air Force classmates at RNZAF
Base Ohakea.
6. ACWS Jade Taikato, HMNZS
WELLINGTON, in boarding party rig.
7. WOMT(P) Trevor Inglis and
CPOMT(L) Michael Pope on board
the Edda Fonn, the future Dive Hydro
Vessel.
8. BCT recruits OSCS Andrew
Jacobs, OHLM Josh Sorensen, OET
10 Sean Keven, OMA Suzi Williamson
and OMT Bradley Humphrey
during Shakedown Week at Tamaki
Leadership Centre.
9. MID Samuel Redmayne receives
a welcome dash of cold water
from MID Ethan Seagar during
Shakedown for JOCT 19/01 at
Tamaki Leadership Centre.
10. LET Jamie Hudson gets down to
the fine detail during a work-up in
HMNZS WELLINGTON.
Navy Today #231 | 1930
years
on the
job
By Andrew Bonallack
Wayne Ratu sat apprenticeship, but I had applied and
hadn’t heard back. I hadn’t been doing
taking out the whaler with the Chief
of Navy and the Papua New Guinea
opposite his much at school. Mum was pretty
happy. She wanted me to have a trade.
Prime Minister, Michael Somare, for
a fishing jaunt. “The bloody boat
school’s careers And my dad had served in the army in broke down, then it rained on us.
the late sixties.”
adviser at Stratford The admiral looked at me and said,
what’s happening? It’s smoking,
He bused up to Auckland from New
High School. Plymouth, in June 1988. “I had just
sir, I replied.”
“Wayne, what are turned 18, no idea where I was going.
My bus arrived at the old train station
Rugby has been a big part of his
career, and once, while coach of
you going to do?” in Auckland, and a Navy bus arrived.
When we got on the bus, there was dead
Navy Rugby, spent three months
coaching the Chinese People’s
silence. No-one wanted to talk. Later, Liberation Army rugby team. “It’s a
before signing on the line, things were great way to form a relationship with
The youngster, on the spot, spotted a
calm and collected. As soon as everyone another country’s military.” This year,
Navy recruitment poster on the wall
had signed, the orders started.” – as assistant rugby coach for the
behind the adviser. “I’m think of joining
the Navy,” he blurted out. The careers It was expected, he said. “Dad had NZDF – he will be especially busy,
adviser nodded, and to the boy’s told me what it would be like. First choosing the NZDF team to play in
consternation, reached into a drawer night, everyone was a bit quiet, trying Japan for the International Defence
and pulled out some paperwork. to find their place. We had quite a big Rugby World Cup.
intake, 120. Dad said to me, stay for Today, WOMT(P) Ratu is the Fleet
Thirty years later, Warrant Officer
the whole thing. See it out. See what Damage Control Instructor for the
Marine Technician (Propulsion) Ratu
you think about it later.” Maritime Operations Evaluation
still reflects on that moment. “He had
the paperwork, he gave it to me, and I “Later” turned out to be a long series Team (MOET). “I thoroughly
took them home. That was my career of adventures, although being an enjoy it,” he says. “I like training,
sorted out on the spot.” engineer could be tough. “In the mentoring, coaching.”
Leander days, we would have to stay The tough side of his 30 years is the
WOMT(P) Ratu recently received his
behind while the crew went ashore, to time away. “TE MANA’s work-up last
first clasp to his Navy Long Service
fix the ship. That was the leadership year was seven weeks out of the
and Good Conduct Medal, signifying
style. That’s your job, make it happen. office. It never gets easy. My son is
30 years of continuous service in
And we would get the ship to sea.” 23, my daughter is 28 – she was born
the Royal New Zealand Navy. He
remembers telling his mum about the He’s been to a lot of countries. on my 21st birthday. Family has to
idea when he got home from school. Highlights include being at Bougainville be a huge support network. This job
“I had been looking at doing a building during the peace talks. He remembers doesn’t exist without family support.”
20 | Navy Today #231An
Observer’s
role
By Andrew Bonallack
Recruiting like But he always had an interest in flying.
“I went to a careers expo in high school
arrangement. The aircraft captain is
the pilot, and every pilot I have flown
to call them and spoke to an Air Force sergeant. I with, has been very on board with
anything I have asked them to do.
was right into sports as well, and being
“Airborne Tactical paid to play sport, and flying, And vica versa.”
Officers” but for that sounded pretty cool.”
During naval gunnery, observers act
After university he became a as gunfire spotters, correcting a ship’s
those who crew warehouse supervisor. “I put all my aim – a traditional role dating back to
the Seasprite ‘maybes’ together – flying, IT, sport –
and I came up with the Defence Force.”
the Fleet Air Arm and World War 2.
helicopters, they It helped that his father-in-law and
The pilot controls are duplicated on the
left side, and observers are capable of
are Observers. sister-in-law were in the Navy. “I flying the helicopter, although not really
authorised to. “But if the pilot was
didn’t know the Navy had pilots, and
Traditions die they filled me in. When I spoke to a injured, obviously I’m not going to let us
drop out of the sky.”
hard in the Navy. Petty Officer at recruiting, he told me
about the observer role. It seemed The biggest buzzes come when flying
perfect, especially with my passion to and from ships. “That’s pretty
for computers.” awesome, knowing there’s only a few
Lieutenant Terry Rawhiti, based at
No. 6 Squadron in Whenuapai, takes That was eight years ago. “The trade people in the world that do what we
the left-hand Observer’s seat in the is not like any other trade, and it’s do. We always say we have got the
Seasprite SH2-G(I) – and effectively not easy, but it’s not out of reach.” best job in the Navy. I don’t know why
takes charge of the mission. He’s He’s done some ‘traditional’ Navy more people don’t do it.”
the mission commander, using the officer stints, including the Officer
helicopter to deliver maximum effect of the Watch (Basic) course and
to the battlespace. Officer of the Day training on HMNZS
ENDEAVOUR before starting his
A self-confessed “city slicker” from Wings course in 2015.
Auckland, LT Rawhiti graduated from
AUT in 2011 in IT and management. “Our job is reconnaissance and
He says he mainly went to university surveillance, taking care of navigation,
because, despite a passion for utilising the helicopter by whatever
computers, he wasn’t sure what he means to achieve the mission. The
wanted to do. That situation hadn’t pilot flies the bus, the observer
improved much after he graduated. directs the bus. It is an interesting
Navy Today #231 | 21‘ Limited
Service’
success
By Sharon Lundy
A “dazed and Thirty-five years on he’s a Captain
in the RNZN who has commanded
The opportunity CAPT McEwan had
will be available to more young people,
confused” Dave frigates, watched the sun rise over
a remote outpost in East Timor and
with the numbers being taken into the
scheme doubling to 1600 a year by the
McEwan got off been part of a Singaporean-led team end of next year.
sitting on a United States destroyer
a bus to start the chasing Somali pirates in the Gulf of
A 160-bed, $11 million purpose-built
facility will open at Whenuapai in June
inaugural Limited Aden.
and will offer five courses a year, while
Service Volunteer CAPT McEwan said he was in a
bad spot when he finished high
the existing facility at Burnham Military
Camp will continue to cater for five
(LSV) course at school in Auckland. intakes of 120 each year. In addition, a
90-bed facility at Trentham in Upper
Devonport Naval “I had lots of energy, a group of friends
that probably weren’t the best influence,
Hutt will offer four courses a year.
Base in February and I got into a bit of trouble,” he said. LSV is a Ministry of Social
Development course, run in
1984, wondering “I was never bad bad, but bad enough
to get the attention of the local
partnership with the New Zealand
what he had constabulary for doing some stupid
Defence Force, and currently runs for
six weeks, rather than the 20 weeks
youthful things, and then that morphed
signed up for. into a quite a serious car accident.”
when CAPT McEwan enrolled.
He is encouraging young
His parents packed him off to an
New Zealanders looking for purpose to
aunt and uncle’s reasonably remote
take the leap into the unknown he did.
Waikato farm for some good, honest
work, and while he was there the then “Have faith and believe in yourself to
Department of Labour phoned to ask succeed, because taking that first
him if he wanted to sign up for the step and signing up is a success in
inaugural LSV course. itself,” he said.
“I took two minutes to mull this over, “Making that first move will be an
bounced it off my uncle, who said, enormous enabler to everything else.
Top left: Dave McEwan ‘You’ve got nothing to lose, have you LSV will allow you to find your own
(right) in 1984, as a boy’, so I said, ‘Yes please’. The rest, set of skills and give you the tools
Limited Service Volunteer. as they say, is history.” to help get a job.”
22 | Navy Today #231Limited Service Volunteer
The huge growth in the course’s
capacity is also opening
“Over the years we’ve relied on people
posting in from all over the services,
“ If anyone
opportunities for NZDF personnel
interested in training youth.
and that’s fine and we want that to
continue to some degree,” CAPT
has the skills
Captain Simon Rooke RNZN said
52 extra trainers and staff would
Rooke said.
and empathy
“But what we’re doing now is putting
needed to
be needed, mainly in Auckland
(Whenuapai) and Wellington all the brickwork together to make
(Trentham), to add to the current sure those people are of a standard
98 Youth Development Unit required by legislation, that the training encourage
personnel. they have to do is better understood
“We’re working to form our training
and able to be delivered, and that it’s a youth to find
much more rewarding career pathway
teams, get them into location and
ensure they are fully prepared
for individuals who commit to it. their mojo,
to provide the unique training
required to support the LSV
“We want to set this towards a
professional trade group who are do it.”
course,” CAPT Rooke said. youth development people.”
“There are some unique skills sets CAPT McEwan said he wouldn’t
Youth Development staff require. hesitate if he had the opportunity
Our instructors really enjoy the to give back to the scheme through
variety and reward the role offers, being a trainer and encouraged NZDF
and we’re always ready to welcome personnel to consider it.
personnel who would like to make
a positive contribution to LSV by “If anyone has the skills and empathy
joining the YDU team in Auckland, needed to encourage youth to find
Wellington, or Christchurch.” their mojo, do it.
The importance of getting the “If just one person comes back to
right people, and the value they you in five or six years, and they’re on
add, has been recognised with the their way to establishing a successful
move to make those trainers Youth career and they say thanks, that’s gold.
Development Specialists. You could go to your grave feeling
pretty good about that.”
Navy Today #231 | 23Warrant
Officer for
our Joint
Forces
By Mike Wiig
MCC Command Warrant Officer
For the last two years I have had the the complexities of the modern It’s very rewarding visiting the fleet,
privilege of being posted to HQ Joint battle space. Being read into levers engaging with the sailors and officers
Forces New Zealand (HQ JFNZ) of strategic planning, and how this seeing their passion resonate in what
as the first Maritime Component shapes and effects the operational they see, how they act and what
Commander Command Warrant planning of force elements, they do, advancing New Zealand’s
Officer (MCC CWO). This newly deployments and operations, and the interest from the sea. Our sailors and
established CWO appointment came amazing work all the HQ staff behind officers are well trained, educated and
about after many years of effort from the scenes undertake, in the execution informed, testament to those who lead
the senior leadership, supportive of of these missions and operations. our people across all ranks. Our size is
exposing senior warrant officers to Ultimately it’s about what it takes to one of our strengths, which has often
the strategic imperatives, levers and get our force elements off the ground, been mentioned to me from our allies,
influences for the NZDF, so where and away from the wall, deployed envious of our versatility and ability to
better to get this experience than safely and then returned home safely. get things done.
the operational headquarters of our
Where our ships go and what they do While there has been times where
Defence Force.
isn’t a decision based on a good idea our reputation has been tarnished by
As the inaugural MCC CWO, or a great run ashore! These decisions individuals not displaying our values,
establishing the role has been exciting are from countless engagements, overall our sailors and officers are
and full of many unknowns, learning planning meetings and guidance world-class and great ambassadors
opportunities and challenges. It’s shaped from Commander Joint Forces for our Pacific paradise. Having
about establishing a component battle (COMJ), Strategic Commitments and travelled the world through the Navy,
rhythm and learning how best to Engagement team in Defence HQ, New Zealand is and will always be
support MCC, and the XO MCC, while Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade a great country. Our country maybe
meeting deliverables and supporting (MFAT), Other Government Agencies small in size but how we employ
the fleet command teams. This (OGA) and additionally internal personnel, deploy our assets and
requires adapting to change, attention requests from the other services to deliver results are world class. As a
to detailed planning, effective time meet their generation of capability, defence force we punch well above
management and coordination of operation requirements and training. our weight.
internal and external relationships, The highly motivated and dedicated
He heremana ahau.
and lots of reading. joint staff undertake all the necessary
preparations for MCC or COMJ
There are so many positives
approval to deliver the effect for the
realised from working in HQ JFNZ.
Government and people of NZ.
Understanding and appreciating
24 | Navy Today #231Engineering
career a
reality
By Andrew Bonallack
When Lucy She organised another visit, meeting
HMNZS TE MANA’s Marine Engineer
graduated as a midshipman, was
recently promoted to Ensign on her
Johnston walks Officer – also a woman. “I’m not two-year mark. She will be promoted
fussed about the male environment, to Sub-Lieutenant when she
the hallways of I grew up with three brothers, but it completes her degree. She has the
was good to talk to her and get some option to stay in Navy barracks, but
the University of really positive reassurance.” decided to go flatting early last year.
Auckland, curious University was always on the cards for During a semester break she
students have ENS Johnston. “I had a lot of friends in
Year 13 wanting to do engineering, and
travelled to Defence Headquarters
in Wellington as part of Programme
asked her if she’s a go to Canterbury. But I wanted to do Rutherford, an initiative focused
something different. I liked challenges on transformation of the naval
paramedic or even and sport, and I wasn’t a person to shy engineering enterprise. She worked
away from things. No-one else from my for three weeks with Navy contractor
a security guard. school had joined the Defence Force.” Beca, looking into the possibilities
of integrating augmented reality and
She enrolled in the Navy’s Tangaroa
Ensign Johnston, dressed in virtual reality as on-the-job training
scheme, which requires a student to
summer naval rig, is starting tools. She based her project on the
first complete officer training, then
her third year of her Bachelor Reverse Osmosis plant on board
undertake full-time study with Navy
of Engineering, majoring in HMNZS WELLINGTON, using a 3D
duties in the breaks. She did 22 weeks
Mechatronics – all sponsored by camera and converting the images
of Junior Officer Common Training in
the Royal New Zealand Navy. to create a virtual reality teaching
2017, and now studies mechatronics
programme.
ENS Johnston, 20, says she had – a field combining mechanical
heard the Navy was a close-knit, engineering, electronics and robotics. If she went back to her school, she
family-orientated environment, would pay it forward, offering a look-
“I knew I wanted to do marine
something she liked about growing around to students who were eyeing
engineering, and I enjoy computer
up in Tutukaka, Northland, and up a Naval career. “I’m enjoying this,
software. Mechatronics is quite a
being a foundation pupil of Huanui and I would be more than happy to
broad field. I do two twelve-week
College, an independent school 10 give them a good understanding of
semesters a year, and I am posted
minutes east of Whangarei. what they would be getting into.”
to various naval engineering units
She was interested in engineering during the inter-semester and She wants to be a marine engineer on
in the Defence Force, attending a end-of-year breaks.” There are a frigate but is also very excited about
Women in Defence careers expo around 25 others on the Tangaroa the Navy’s new capabilities arriving
for Navy, Army and Air Force. scheme, with students attending in the next two years. “The timing is
A ship’s tour aboard HMNZS either the University of Auckland or good and I potentially have a lot of
TE MANA sold her. AUT University. ENS Johnston, who opportunities to look forward to.”
Navy Today #231 | 25Practicing
survival skills
as an Integrated
Defence Force
By Kathryn Ruge
Senior communications adviser
A magnitude 8.5 earthquake “The key to our success was of a seriously injured sailor. After
has struck the small nation of teamwork. The training promoted negotiating numerous hazards and
‘Marlbrocco’, severely affecting the further bonding within our sections completing the evacuation, they were
capital city, Havelock, and nearby and encouraged us all to work more tasked with a surprise 150m swim
Pelorus Sound. Havelock Hospital cohesively in what was a relatively to shore – fully clothed and using
has collapsed and urgent medical stressful environment. Overall the different techniques to stay together.
aid is required. Most of the nation’s exercise was a fun but challenging
NZDF Medics-turned-patients
settlements are only accessible by opportunity. Whether it be tying
provided a range of unpredictable
boat and it is unknown how these bush-buttons or swimming in boots,
real world situations to hone basic
have fared. Rapid deployment of new practical skills were acquired
first aid training. Finally, to support
NZDF teams is required. by everyone in conjunction with
the disaster relief effort, cadets had
improved teamwork and
So began a complex multi-day to search for supplies as if they’d
leadership abilities.”
exercise for more than 90 officer been air dropped in the Waihopai
cadets from Navy, Army, and Air Officer in charge of the exercise, Valley area, covering 2km of ground
Force recently as part of their Lieutenant Jessica Shaw, was on foot around rivers and bush. They
Joint Officer Induction Course at pleased with how the cadets located cyalume (glowing) sticks
Base Woodbourne. Designed to responded to the many challenges, which were later traded for minimal
consolidate classroom training, the alongside the capability of the rations and tools to prepare for a
experiential learning activity required instructors who delivered the course. night in the bush.
students to apply maritime navigation, “It was a complex exercise with many The exercise gave officer cadets
land and sea survival skills. moving parts but it’s always great plenty of opportunity to realise the
For many commissioning from rank, to see our instructors modelling benefits of being more connected
who joined the course with a range of the tri-service cooperation that we – both within NZDF and beyond
military skills, this was challenging in encourage the cadets to develop our shores. Included in this intake
during their brief time together. were students from Malaysia, Fiji,
unexpected ways. The nature of joint
Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea,
training irons out single service pre- They have a really short window to
participating under the Mutual
conceptions about how to approach build key relationships at the outset
Assistance Programme.
a task and forces students to support that will serve them well for their
There were also two Australian
and work with others in new ways. future careers” said Lt Shaw.
Cadets from the Royal Military
Air Force Officer Cadet Ali McKain During the exercise students had College Duntroon who are
said the training was a “brilliant to plot the fastest route through completing their Officer Training in
chance for us to test our knowledge a narrow channel with significant New Zealand as part of an exchange
and practise our basic survival skills”. tidal stream for the safe evacuation programme with the NZ Army.
26 | Navy Today #231An Integrated Defence Force
“ Whether it be tying bush-buttons
or swimming in boots, new
practical skills were acquired
by everyone in conjunction with
improved teamwork and
leadership abilities.”
Navy Today #231 | 27Growing
our
people
By POPTI Te Teira Maxwell
He aha te mea
nui I tenei ao? He
tangata he tangata
he tangata.
E ngakau nui ana au ki nga mahi me “What is the most important thing in It is extremely rewarding to
nga ahuatanga o LDG. He whakatauki the world? It is people, it is people, see how people change and
tā te iwi Maori e mea ana, ko te manu it is people.” move forward in their careers
e kai i te miro, nona te ngahere, ko te because of the tools they have
I am extremely passionate about
manu e kai i te matauranga, nona te ao. gained through the different
all that we do at the Leadership
E whakapono kaha ana a LDG ki tenei courses provided by LDG.
Development Group. An old proverb
whakatauki. Ahakoa nga ahuatanga o This was indeed my own
from our Māori world tells of the bird
te wa, e whakapakari ana a LDG i nga experience during my Petty
that partakes of the Miro berry. This
ahuatanga o tera o tera e pirangi ana ki Officer Development Course.
bird has the forest as their domain.
te tipu i te nehenehe nui o tenei ao. Through my participation and
However, the bird that partakes of
completion of the ‘Identity
Ko te mea e ngakaunuitia ana e au ko wisdom can powerfully access the
versus Reputation’ module,
te rereketanga o te ahua o te tangata i entire world. LDG wholeheartedly
I realised a level of strength,
mua, i muri hoki i nga koohi nei. Ka taea e believe in the ethos of this proverb
integrity and passion required
koe te kite i te rereketanga o tera o tera and strives to develop and nurture
of this collective. I also realised
o nga akonga e ako ana i nga āhuatanga personnel so that they are prepared
who I could be as a member of
o te ara kua whārikihia e matou. Ka hoki for all that the world has to offer,
the LDG collective, this small
aku mahara ki taku koohi PODC, ko te while maintaining the strength and
Navy, and I was willing to step
ID vs Rep taku tino kaupapa i roto i nga integrity of who they are as a unit
up into this world.
ahuatanga nei .ā, i taua wa tonu i taka within the RNZN. LDG works hard
te kappa. I kitea rawatia nga hua me te to influence and develop those that LDG’s motto is “strengthening
rereketanga o te whakaaro o te tangata come through all courses and is the leadership journey”.
mo ona mahi i muri i te kaupapa ra. E cognisant of the experiences and We are passionate and
mahi kaha ana a LDG ki te whakapau skill base that each individual brings. wholeheartedly believe in both
kaha i roto o te NZDF. the path we set for individuals
and our LDG motto.
Ko te whakatauki o LDG ko te
‘‘Te whakakaha I te ara o te mana
whakatipu”, ā, e ngakau nui ana e
whakapono kaha ana hoki mātou ki
nga ahuatanga o te whakatauki ra.
28 | Navy Today #231What did
Nelson
read?
By Andrew Bonallack
If Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, hero “What is the relevance of Nelsonian The resulting 80-plus books will
of the Battles of Trafalgar, the Nile thought to modern navies, what form a future exhibition, hopefully in
and Copenhagen, had a bookshelf does the Royal Navy heritage add partnership between the RN and the
containing his favourite references up to, and what is unique about the RNZN, on ‘Nelson’s books’, in April
and pieces of literature, what would RNZN?” he asks. 2021 to mark the 250th anniversary
those books be? of Nelson joining the Royal Navy.
What Nelson read, what books he had
That’s a question being researched in his cabin, provide insights into his But the research has deeper value for
by Dr Lance Beath, Senior Fellow command leadership. However, in all the Navy. Drawing on his own library
at Victoria University’s Centre for of his very extensive correspondence, and the lists current in partner navies,
Strategic Studies and currently the Nelson never directly wrote about Dr Beath is refreshing the RNZN’s
Royal New Zealand Navy’s first ever what he was reading. own reading list for officers and
Nelsonian Scholar-in-Residence. ratings to further their education and
“He talks about the state of his bowels, professional development. And while
It’s not the only task marked up on his issues around the fleet, relationships some of it is highbrow and scholarly,
whiteboard, prominently positioned in with the admiralty, failures of the you’ll find a Patrick O’Brian or two
a large office on the first floor of the British diplomatic service around the amongst them.
Quarterdeck at HMNZS PHILOMEL. Mediterranean. But when you read his
He has helped formulate the Navy’s correspondence with an attentive eye “What are the books that speak to
Maritime Doctrine and preparing you often see a phrase that is out of New Zealanders? There are books on
a reading list of suitable books for the ordinary. And you wonder, where grand strategy, sea power, leadership,
young officers and sailors while also did that come from?” command, critical thinking, technology.
helping to research and write a book The Chief of Navy is inviting his senior
on the New Zealand Ocean Economy. A good example is a recognisable colleagues to nominate one or two
phrase from Cato, conveyed to his books that influence their thinking,
He credits Navy Today for leading men by Nelson after the failure of a that aided their development. And
to the creation of the three-year raid on Boulogne in 1801. “It is not sometimes fiction shows us things at
scholarly appointment. He had seen given to mere mortals to command a deeper level than the real world can.”
an article in August of last year, success, Sempronius. But we can do
written by Commander Andrew Law, better. We can deserve it.” He says it is a wonderful experience to
regarding the desire of the RNZN be able to compile a naval reading list.
and the Royal Navy to deepen their “So he must have read Cato, or “It’s great fun. It shapes minds, adds
strategic connection. The Navy Addison on Cato. I’ve also tracked credibility to the Navy, and sends a
reasoned that an academic expert down quotations from 15 different strong message, saying this is what our
in naval history would be able to Shakespearean plays, and from senior leaders read. It’s thinking about
provide insights into the RNZN’s numerous books of the Bible. I’ve New Zealand’s place in the world, and
twin heritages – Royal Navy and compiled a list of just over 80 books providing a broader, deeper education
Polynesian/Maori seafaring. that formed the core of his library.” that adds to the core tasks of the Navy.”
Navy Today #231 | 29I nv e r e ll | K i a m a
How the
In July that year the Director of
Engineering (Navy) reported that a
500-ton local defence craft could be
Bathurst-class
built for £100,000 and by February
1939 his team had revised the design
and produced a complete set of
drawings; a remarkable in-house
Minesweepers
design effort.
The proposed vessel’s displacement
was 680 tons, it would have a speed
of 15.5 knots and a range of 2850
came to the
nautical miles. Twin screws would
provide good manoeuvrability, and the
vertical triple expansion engines could
be manufactured in Australia’s railway
RNZN
workshops. The new ships had been
designed to be dual-role, with a 4-inch
gun (but a smaller 3” – 76mm – gun
was mounted on several ships due to
shortages with the more modern 4”
weapon) sonar, (then known as Asdic in
By Richard Jackson the British and Commonwealth navies)
and depth charges or M/S gear. The
proposed vessels were expected to
take only 10 months to build.
The story of the Australian Minesweepers The quarterdeck was roomy, for depth
began with a 1938 RAN staff requirement charge racks and throwers, or for
mechanical (wire) sweeps, floats and
for large numbers of a relatively simple, winches. During the war the standard
minesweeping gear was joined by
anti-submarine (A/S) and minesweeping influence sweeps, designed to
simulate magnetic and acoustic
(M/S) patrol vessel. signatures to activate influence mines.
30 | Navy Today #231You can also read
