HMNZS OTAGO conducts first Pacific patrol

Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS OTAGO, sailed Tuesday on its inaugural deployment to the South Pacific.

Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke, OTAGO and its ship’s company will be visiting Raoul Island, Tonga, Samoa, the Tokelau Islands, Rarotonga and Niue over 38 days.

While in the South Pacific the ship will be undertaking a range of activities including maritime security and surveillance patrols, humanitarian aid disaster relief activity, military and diplomatic engagement within the region and working with Pacific Island states to undertake fisheries surveillance patrols in support of the Forum Fisheries Agency.

OTAGO will also be involved with diverse tasks including: sea riding opportunities and engagement with the Mutual Assistance Programme, hosting 11 artists sponsored by the Pew Environment Group, and providing logistical support to the Department of Conservation amongst other diplomatic engagement activities with the Pacific Island Nations.

Concurrent with these activities, the ship will continue to undergo sea trials and continuation training both at sea and alongside in order to contribute to the full release of the Offshore Patrol Vessel's capability.

“This is the first international deployment for OTAGO which offers a new capability in supporting New Zealand’s Pacific Island neighbours” said Lieutenant Commander Rooke.

“The voyage will offer up some challenges for all of us and is a chance to demonstrate how our new ship can operate in the heat of the tropics.”

“We are also looking forward to interacting with ships from the nations we are visiting to enhance our ability to operate together for activities such as Search and Rescue and Resource protection.”

Ship Information

Displacement
1900 tonnes

Length
85 metres

Beam
14 metres

Speed
22 knots

Range
6000 nautical miles

Propulsion
2x Mann Burmeister & Wain 12RK280 diesels producing 5400 kW

Core Complement
35

Flight personnel
10

Multi Agency Complement
4

Additional personnel
30

Total Complement
79

Boat Capacity
2 x 7.3 m Zodiac RHIB

Deployable by
2 x Powered Davits