Hull damaged as NZ warship berths in high winds

Royal NZ Navy frigate Te Kaha pictured at Devonport Naval base. (file photo)
PHIL DOYLE / STUFF

Andrea Vance

May 21, 2024

https://www.thepress.co.nz/politics/350284063/hull-damaged-nz-warship-berths-high-winds

One of the navy’s troubled frigates has limped into port with a gash in its hull after smashing into a wharf.

HMNZS Te Kaha sustained damage when it struck the wharf at Auckland’s Kauri Point ammunition depot on Thursday.

The Defence Force said the accident took place in “gale force winds,” the damage is minor and an investigation is now under way.

The vessel is now berthed at Devonport Naval Base, undergoing repairs.

It’s the latest setback for the beleaguered warship fleet, which recently underwent a $700 million upgrade.

Two surface combat vessels — HMSNZ Te Kaha and HMSNZ Te Mana — were purchased nearly 35 years ago for just under $1 billion.

In 2014, the Government approved weapons and communications upgrades first budgeted at $446m, but costs later soared in 2017.

The eight-year refit took place in Canada, and during that time New Zealand’s ability to run anti-piracy operations, monitor sea lanes, and participate in exercises with military partners was limited.

Te Kaha returned to New Zealand at the end of 2020 and Te Mana, in 2022. The ships are expected to be in service for another decade.

HMNZS Te Kaha pictured in the Western Indian Ocean in 2015. The vessel is one of only two frigates in the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet including the HMNZS Te Mana.
SUPPLIED

A spokesperson for NZDF confirmed the incident at the munitions storage facility last week but did not answer questions about the estimated cost of repair.

“At Kauri Point Wharf in Auckland on Thursday 16 May, HMNZS Te Kaha experienced minor damage to its bow after coming into contact with the wharf whilst berthing in near gale force winds,” she said in a statement.

“This resulted in a small hole in the hull above the waterline. No personnel were injured in the incident. Port of Auckland tugs were in attendance at the time assisting the ship to berth.”

Repair work has started and is expected to be completed next week, she said. The Defence Force did not specify if this was a patch, or permanent fix for the damaged hull. A question about the dimensions of the damage was also not answered before publication.

“Whilst the repair work is being conducted, other maintenance and training will also be carried out which will mean there will be negligible impact to the ship’s longer term programme,” she said.

Te Kaha’s commanding officer is Commander Fiona Jameson.

An internal investigation began on the day of the incident, the spokesperson added. This “restricts further detail being released at this time”, she said.

The bungle comes as defence force spending comes under increasing scrutiny.

Under pressure to find savings, earlier this year military bosses warned the Government of a staffing crisis, which saw almost a third of uniformed staff lost over two years, and a pressing need to replace ageing military equipment, such as two Boeing 757s, used to transport VIPs, and Seasprite helicopters.

A Defence Capability plan is due to go before minister Judith Collins next month. Earlier this month she announced a funding boost of more than $570m for pay and equipment.

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