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N AV Y N E W S SEVEN TIMES AROUND NZ FOR NAVY PATROL SHIP Millions of miles of ocean have been under surveillance by the Navy in the past six months, and the commanding officer of HMNZS Otago is proud of his ship and crew's contribution. "In six months, Otago has travelled 15,000 nautical miles, the equivalent of seven circumnavigations of New Zealand. We have conducted surveillance of around 12 million square kilometres of water, all part of New Zealand's maritime responsibility," says 32 year old Lieutenant Commander Robert McCaw. LTCDR McCaw assumed command of HMNZS Otago on September 12, 2012. Almost six months to the day he berthed his ship at Devonport Naval Base on March 7, 2013, chalking up 15,000 nautical miles after a patrol period focused on Southern waters. "In the past six months, Otago has conducted multiple fisheries patrols and conservation tasks as well as transporting a myriad of scientific research staff to greater scientific discoveries, including over 90 species of seaweed on one sub-Antarctic island alone. The ship has also conducted two Search and Rescue operations. HMNZS Otago "Otago has operated across our entire spectrum of operations; within a week we moved from supporting Department of Conservation, to embarking special forces on board for training." The highlight of his command to date has been making it to Antarctic waters. HMNZS Otago conducted one patrol during the summer ice season and confirmed there were no unlicensed vessels operating in New Zealand's Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources region. "It was a challenge, dealing with the sea and weather conditions," says LTCDR McCaw. "However it was rewarding to interact with the vessels operating in our region." "We found some infringements, but we also saw crews making immediate repairs to rectify these based on our boardings." "After a lot of training, preparation and hard work, it was great to do a proper operation down there, and get some tangible results." The Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessels primary role is surveillance and patrol of New Zealand's maritime interests, and they regularly support a range of government agencies. IPVS PATROL COASTLINE SIX TIMES IN A MONTH Two of the Navy's Inshore Patrol Vessels steamed over 5000 nautical miles, six times the length of New Zealand, whilst patrolling New Zealand's coastline during February. HMNZ Ships Rotoiti and Taupo were hard at work patrolling New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone covering almost 9500km as they conducted maritime surveillance in support of government agencies. The entirety of New Zealand's mainland coastline was covered at least once during their patrolling efforts. The 62 Professional Skipper May/June 2013 ships' taskings included patrol of marine reserves for illegal fishing, surveillance of overseas vessels entering New Zealand waters in support of New Zealand Customs, and providing enthusiastic manpower for track maintenance and clearance with the Department of Conservation. The ships reported on locations of over 80 commercial vessels and encountered more than 230 recreational vessels. The six ports visited during the surveillance patrols highlights the scope of national coverage achieved. Between the two ships, were visited Bluff, Lyttelton, Nelson, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, and Whangarei. "Interaction with the maritime community is so important," says Commanding Officer HMNZS Rotoiti, Lieutenant Kane Sutherland. "Hails and boardings are effective, but so is the fact that we're seen sailing past regularly. These patrols are a key means of protecting New Zealand's maritime resources." Fellow Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Damian Gibbs of HMNZS Taupo adds, "our work is not just at sea; our presence in port also has an education effect, reminding New Zealand recreational and commercial mariners of their responsibilities and obligations in our waters." Concurrent to their maritime surveillance efforts, Rotoiti was also conducting sea training to develop the next generation of IPV commanding officers. The seven trainees onboard learned how to navigate the coastline and will become the next tranche of naval guardians operating about New Zealand's coastline. The IPVs were acquired for maritime patrol of New Zealand's EEZ, supporting multi-agency operations, and protection of the country's maritime interests. These ships are delivering a high level of service throughout New Zealand, and ensuring a naval presence is felt nationwide. NEW CO FOR NAVY'S MINE COUNTER MEASURES TEAM On March 18, Warrant Officer James Harper took over command of the Navy's Mine Counter Measures Team during a traditional change of command ceremony at Devonport's naval base. This is the first time since the war that a non-commissioned officer has been given command of a commissioned ship or unit of the RNZN. The team's mission is to find underwater mines laid outside key New Zealand ports in times of conflict, thereby closing that port to shipping traffic. The threat of mines today are as real as yesteryear, as modern mines do not necessarily need a warship or submarine to lay them. The MCMT military capability is a "rapid deployable unit." A detachment from the team can deploy with its kit in a matter of hours, nationwide or around the world, to conduct operations in support of New Zealand's defence outcomes. Utilising vessels of opportunity to conduct operations enables the MCMT to provide a cost-effective solution to the Government. In handing over command of MCMT, part of the Navy's Littoral Warfare Support Force, Lieutenant Commander Deane Ingram commented in his speech to his ships company, "whilst we may be small, we are nimble, versatile and undoubtedly world leaders in operating REMUS AUVs. We sit at the tip of the perfectly formed Amphib teardrop able to conduct covert reconnaissance ahead of the force to detect and locate mines or obstacles that may impede the passage of follow on forces." A quick review of the unit's records makes for impressive reading. Over the last 20 months MCMT has exercised in the Rim of the Pacific Enterprise, the Arabian Gulf, Australia, and Canada alongside close allied partners who tell us that they now look to New Zealand as the benchmark in mine counter