said the fuel supplies will keep power generators humming at Nassau, Pukapuka and Penrhyn Islands in the Northern Cook Islands. "The New Zealand Government has provided this assistance following the recent disruptions to the fuel delivery supply to the Cook Islands. While this quantity is not a large amount for Endeavour, which can carry over six million litres, it will keep the island's generators going for at least three months, which is a significant contribution."
Otago ship's company assisting in repair work at local schools
exposing many of the rocks. As recently as a week ago a student badly injured his knee playing rugby when landing on one of these rocks. Our morning was spent digging them up (some of the more stubborn rocks had to be extracted using an imaginative method involving a nail and a crowbar!), relocating them, and backfilling the subsequent holes with topsoil." Once back at sea the ship was immediately called to assist in another capacity: "We came across a boat approximately six nautical miles from harbour limits drifting in 20kts of SE wind with nothing between it and Fiji which was some 400nm distant!" said Operations Officer, Lieutenant Dave Longhurst. "The vessel did not communicate via radio but they used hand signals, so we sent one of our RHIBS over with some technicians and basic stores. They were able to complete some temporary repairs for the vessel and she returned under her own steam to Nuku'alofa."
The ship, which deployed from Devonport Naval Base in late
May, is not due back until mid to late August by which time she will surely have even more adventures under her belt.
NAVY BRINGS VITAL FUEL SUPPLIES TO NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS
The New Zealand Navy's replenishment tanker HMNZS Endeavour recently provided approximately 70,000 litres of diesel fuel to the Cook Islands in response to the South Pacific country's request for assistance. Commander Keith Robb, Endeavour's Commanding Officer,
The mission, arranged in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was Endeavour's first to the Pacific this year. It provided 3800 litres of diesel fuel to Nassau, 6000 litres to Pukapuka and 60,000 litres to Penrhyn Island. During the first day of the Penrhyn Island mission, local boats painstakingly shuttled fuel to the island drum by drum with the assistance of nearly every boat on the atoll after the island vessel that was supposed to unload the fuel broke down, "It was a long hard day for all involved, but the people of Penrhyn turned out in force with boats and empty fuel drums to help. We still managed to move 28,000 litres which is quite an achievement," reported Commander Robb. On the second day Endeavour was able to call on the assistance of the ANZAC-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and the Royal Australian Navy's guided missile frigate HMAS Darwin, whose presence allowed four rigid hull inflatable boats and two helicopters to move a further 32,000 litres. Endeavour, Te Kaha and Darwin were sailing together to Hawaii to take part in the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 when they were diverted to go to the aid of the Island.
A continuous rotation of RNZN and RAN RHIBS, local barges, and an RNZN helicopter, assist in the replenishment of Penrhyn Island
September/October 2012 Professional Skipper 71
