Moa class patrol boat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.jpg/300px-HMNZS_Wakakura_(P3555).jpg) HMNZS Wakakura in Devonport |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Moa |
| Operators: |  Royal New Zealand Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Protector-class IPV |
| In commission: | November 1983 |
| Completed: | Seven |
| Active: | Three |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | patrol boat |
| Displacement: | 91.5 ton standard; 105 ton full load |
| Length: | 27 metres |
| Beam: | 6.1 metres |
| Draught: | 2.4 metres |
| Propulsion: | Two Cummins diesels (710 hp) Twin shafts |
| Speed: | 12 knots |
| Range: | 1,000 nautical miles |
| Complement: | 18: 5 Officers: 3 Senior Rates: 10 Ratings |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
Navigation Radar Racal Decca 916 I Band |
| Armament: | 1 x 12.7mm MG |
| Aviation facilities: | None |
| Notes: | Four ships previously fitted with side scan sonar |
The Moa-class patrol boat is a class of patrol boats built between 1978 and 1985 for the Royal New Zealand Navy by the Whangarei Engineering and Construction Company. They were based on an Australian boat design.
[edit] Vessels of the class
Altogether there were seven vessels in the class [1]
| Name | Commissioned | Decommissioned |
|---|---|---|
| HMNZS Kahu (A04) | 1978 | |
| HMNZS Tarapunga | ||
| HMNZS Takapu | ||
| HMNZS Moa (P3553) | 28 Nov 1983 | 23 Jan 2007 |
| HMNZS Kiwi (P3554) | 2 Sep 1984 | 29 Nov 2007 |
| HMNZS Wakakura (P3555) | 26 Mar 1985 | 29 Nov 2007[2] |
| HMNZS Hinau (P3556) | 4 Oct 1985 | 23 Jan 2007 |
The lead vessel, Kahu, was initially named HMNZS Manawanui. She was modified so she would function as a diving tender. She remains in service today attached to the Royal New Zealand Naval College as the basic seamanship and navigation training vessel.
The next two vessels, Tarapunga and Takapu, were modified with their superstructure accommodation increased so they could function as inshore survey vessels. These have been decommissioned.
The last four vessels functioned as inshore patrol vessels for the Naval Volunteer Reserve. From 1994 these were modified to conduct mine countermeasures route surveying using side scan sonar. On a number of occasions this was used to assist in search and rescue and transport investigations. In 2005 three vessels were relocated to Auckland to fill the training gap left by the decommissioning of HMNZS Canterbury (F-421). Kiwi relocated to Auckland 2006. On relocating the vessels had their side scan sonar removed.
With the introduction of the Project Protector Ships, Moa, Kiwi, Wakakura and Hinau will be replaced by Protector-class inshore patrol vessels during 2007 and 2008. Kahu will remain in service for seamanship and Officer of the Watch training.
Despite being decommissioned, one of the class, as of 30 March 2008, remains tied up at Wellington's Queen's Wharf with all identifying features - ship's crest, pennant number etc - painted out or removed.
.jpg/180px-HMNZS_Kiwi_(P3554).jpg)
[edit] References
- ^ "RNZN - Inshore Patrol Craft". RNZN Official Website. Accessed April 17, 2006.
- ^ 'Final Act for Inshore Battleships, 'Wellington Dominion Post, 29 November 2007, p.A6
