The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
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participated in the biennial exercise, which is held from June 29 to August 7 and hosted by the US Navy. RIMPAC is the world's largest multi-national maritime exercise and navies from all around the Pacific, plus India, will be represented. Six submarines, 39 warships, up to 200 aircraft and about 1200 Marines are expected to be involved in the manoeuvres. The RNZN fleet will be busy around the New Zealand coast and elsewhere within the Asia/Pacific region, including a multi- national exercise off Darwin hosted by the Australian Defence Force. Endeavour will conduct a workup in the first quarter of the year while exercising with the Royal Australian Navy before taking part in RIMPAC. She will then return to New Zealand for domestic exercises with Singaporean forces and the Royal Australian Navy. The other frigate, HMNZS Canterbury, will conduct exercises with the Australian Defence Force to test her inter-operability and ability to provide tactical sealift and other support for offshore and domestic tasks for the New Zealand Army and Air Force. Following this she will begin phase two of a mid-life upgrade of her engineering systems in August and September. The inshore patrol force will spend the year supporting government agencies, primarily customs and fisheries, and internal Naval training objectives. The offshore patrol forces will complete their introduction into service trials and patrol activities in the Southern Ocean and South Pacific while supporting multi-agency operations. During the year, HMNZS Otago and Wellington will also develop their capability to carry a helicopter. The target this year for the mine countermeasures forces is to develop advance force operating skills in support of amphibious operations, which will be vital in ensuring the Defence Force can support Pacific countries after a natural disaster. The hydrographic force will conduct training to develop its advance force capability together with the mine countermeasures team through exercises and training in New Zealand and overseas. This will be the last year of operations for the Navy's hydrographic ship HMNZS Resolution, which will be decommissioned during the year. The helicopter force will be involved with the combat, amphibious and offshore patrol forces for the year, providing maritime aviation support to domestic and overseas operations. The Navy will also develop its aviation capability across all its ships that can carry helicopters. INQUIRY AFTER NAVY LAUNCH HITS ROCKS The Royal New Zealand Navy is investigating how its launch, known as the VIP Barge, struck rocks while returning to Devonport following Waitangi Day commemorations in the Bay of Islands. "I think it is an embarrassment for the Navy, quite frankly, and I want clear answers on why this happened," said the Minister of Defence, Jonathan Coleman. The 14m VIP Barge took on water after hitting rocks off Tutukaka, Northland, at on February 8, said a Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman. The centre received a distress signal at about 0700, followed by a Mayday call shortly afterwards. A Navy RIB was in Tutukaka Harbour at the time of the incident and towed her into the marina. The six people believed to be on board were uninjured and got off safely. The diving tender HMNZS Manawanui was also nearby and responded quickly. The damage is believed to be a gash of about 600mm to the March/April 2012 Professional Skipper 67 The Navy officials VIP Barge for'ard section of the boat. Navy spokeswoman Lieutenant- Commander Angela Barker said the launch was in the Tutukaka Marina. A thorough investigation had begun into the cause of the crash and there would be a Court of Inquiry, Barker said. Coastguard duty officer Tony Winyard said he had no idea why the VIP Barge had hit the rocks. "Tutukaka Harbour is well-chartered and the charts on everything are readily available." The launch was built at Devonport in 1980. She is part of the shore establishment HMNZS Philomel and is used for VIP travel from ships to shore. She has carried the Royal Family and many dignitaries. "We can offer a 2000 hour warranty on remanufactured Gardner Engines on approved installation." Contact Dave Shaw regarding servicing or engine repower. NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTOR GARDNER DIESEL ENGINES VIP.WB12