Professional Skipper Magazine from VIP Publications

navy news NZ BUYS CHOPPERS REJECTED BY AUSTRALIA The New Zealand government has approved spending $200 million on the purchase of eight navy helicopters rejected by Australia for reasons including safety concerns. New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said that the new Super Seasprites are to replace the New Zealand navy's existing fleet of five ageing Seasprites. The first three will arrive late next year. Australia tried for more than 10 years to resolve operations problems with Seasprites ordered for the navy's ANZAC frigates, but cancelled an order for 11 of the helicopters in 2008. The Super Seasprite was being tested off the New South Wales coast before Australia rejected the aircraft. An Australian audit of the $A1.4 billion project found the helicopters had a failure rate assessed at up to 20,000 times greater than air regulations allowed. The Seasprite's crash worthiness was below contemporary standards, it could not be flown in bad weather, the cockpit was too small for some crewmen and the advanced computerised combat system did not work properly. The computerised flight control system also tended to make unpredictable movements of flight controls, known as hard-overs. Defence Minister John Coleman said the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence are aware of the Australians' problems with the Seasprite. Australia had intended its helicopters to be flown by a crew of two, but New Zealand would fly with crews of three and not be in need of the "no-hands" technology. According to Coleman, all other technical issues have been resolved by the manufacturer. The Ministry of Defence has also invested "considerable resources" over two years in looking into the Seasprites, including an independent study by Canada's Marinvent Corporation. The ministry believes the Seasprites would "prove a very capable purchase, meet all of the New Zealand Defence Force's requirements and can be introduced into service." Super Seasprites rejected by Australia have been purchased by the New Zealand Defence Force "What's more, the price is very good with alternative helicopter replacements costing three times the amount." Defence Force pilots have flown the helicopter and were impressed by the step-up, Coleman said. The entire Seasprite fleet, made from refurbished former United States navy airframes, has a total of 1200 flying hours and a service life of another 17 years. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRADE EXERCISE In May this year the Royal New Zealand Navy hosted the annual International Naval Maritime Trade protection exercise "Bell Buoy". Bell Buoy 13 took place from 13–24 May 2013 at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland. The exercise was based around a fictitious humanitarian support mission in the South West Pacific. The exercise developed and tested professional skills in supporting disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations and providing support to the civil maritime industry in an area of 64 Professional Skipper July/August 2013 USN CDR Kurt Kirkhahn USNR with MCC COM John Martin RNZN at the RNZN Marae instability that may include sea robbery, piracy and illegal fishing. Conducted under the auspices of the inter navy Pacific and Indian Oceans Shipping Working Group, the exercise involved naval personnel from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, Korea, Singapore, Argentina, Uruguay and New Zealand. Exercise convener, Captain Phil O'Connell of the RNZN said that the security of shipping is crucial to New Zealand's economy. 85 percent of New Zealand exports by value are carried by sea. "With New Zealand being responsible for a large area of the Pacific Ocean, we have an important role in protecting the sea lanes," O'Connell said. "The navy works alongside other nations to ensure regional security. Bell Buoy 13 provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate New Zealand's commitment as we practice these vital skills alongside our international colleagues who bring a diverse range of valuable experience to the exercise." RNZN AND SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE TRUST The Royal New Zealand Navy and Spirit of Adventure Trust share similarities in their objectives. Both organisations take groups of young personnel and imbue them with a sense of leadership, teamwork and adventure. Both organisations provide challenging and unique environments that help individuals to find out more about themselves and their skill sets. Officers of the RNZN have been undertaking voyages on Spirit of New Zealand as part of their Junior Officer Common Training since 2005. The voyage is a key part of JOCT, explains the Navy's Leadership Training Officer, Lieutenant Commander Tim Oliver. "The opportunity to sail on the Spirit of New Zealand generates a number of benefits and learnings that cannot be achieved in the classroom. We see students develop and apply supervisory leadership in a maritime environment. Although New Zealand is a maritime environment, not all of our junior officers have prior experience. The Spirit allows junior officers to learn mariner skills in context and develop safe practices." During the voyage, officers practice responding to emergency scenarios, such as man overboard events, casualty evacuation and minor fire exercises. "Their experience on Spirit of New Zealand reinforces the navy core values: Comradeship, courage and commitment. They learn to operate as a team, living and working together in close quarters." Rather than the normal five-day voyage, JOCT 13/02 will have the opportunity to embark on Spirit of New Zealand for two weeks. This voyage will depart Wellington on September 21, 2013 and arrive with a flourish in Sydney. The Spirit of New Zealand will be part of the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review, entering harbour as part of the ceremonial Tall Ship entry on October 3, 2013. www.skipper.co.nz

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