HMNZS Canterbury (L421)

HMNZS "Canterbury" is a multi-role vessel (MRV) of the Royal New Zealand Navy. She was commissioned in June 2007, and is the second ship of the Royal New Zealand Navy to carry the name, the first ship having been a "Leander" class frigate. She is also New Zealand's first ever strategic sealift ship." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=32&objectid=10443800 First of Navy's $500m worth of new vessels ready to report for service] ' - "The New Zealand Herald", Wednesday 06 June 2007, Page A7]

History

Background

As early as 1988 the Royal New Zealand Navy had identified the need for some form of sealift in the South Pacific. In 1995 this led to the commissioning of HMNZS "Charles Upham". The subsequent failure of successive governments to fund the required refits resulted in "Charles Upham" being sold in 2001.

At the same time the newly elected Labour Government directed the navy to exclude the option of a 3rd frigate from the Maritime Forces Review, while the sea lift requirement was also part of a wider capability mix desired. [ [http://www.defence.govt.nz/reports-publications/mfr/summary.html Summary] (from the Maritime Forces Review, New Zealand Ministry of Defence, January 2002)]

Construction

The construction of the MRV was sub contracted-out to Merwede Shipyards in the Netherlands by Tenix Shipyards in Williamstown, Melbourne, with the design based on the commercial RoRo ship "Ben my Chree". However, the choice of a commercially-based design has been criticised after the ship was delivered, as it placed several limitations on the functionality of the ship in rough seas - rather than the relatively coastal environment for which the "Ben my Chree" was designed.

The keel was laid on September 6 2005 and the MRV was launched successfully on February 11 2006. The ship completed initial sea trials in the Netherlands and arrived in Australia in late August 2006 for fit-out with military equipment. Final acceptance was delayed due to alterations to the ships hospital and late delivery of documentation.Fact|date=September 2008 There were also ongoing concerns, negotiations and redesign activities regarding her performance in heavy seas, doubts about which had already been thrown up during her initial journey to Australia, and in fact, even before actual construction.

The MRV was accepted by the New Zealand Government on 31 May 2007 and commissioned on 12 June 2007 in Port Melbourne, Australia by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. [cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1949050.htm |title="New warship to benefit regional defence: NZ PM"|accessdate=2007-06-12 |date=June 12, 2007 |publisher=ABC News Online] The ship cost NZ$ 130 million to construct." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=439&objectid=10445381 Canterbury off to work at once] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Wednesday 13 June 2007]

She was constructed with an ice-strengthened hull to allow her to operate in the subantarctic waters, where New Zealand claims several islands, and where "Canterbury" is to assist scientific expeditions." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=439&objectid=10448472 Navy's HMNZS Canterbury has entered home port] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 28 June 2007]

ervice

After commissioning, the ship sailed to its home port of Lyttelton arriving 28 June 2007. After several days of inaugural events, it departed again on 2 July. Following a courtesy visit to Timaru and after a month-long set of trials and exercises in the Auckland area, where she is operationally based at Devonport Naval Base, she is to head to New Zealand's subantarctic waters carrying DOC conservation officers.

In September 2007 Canterbury embarked 250 troops and 50 vehicles, including 20 NZLAV armoured vehicles, to test embarkation and disembarkation procedures. [" [http://www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3749410&thesection=localnews&thesubsection= Soldiers get a taste of the sea] " - "Hawkes Bay Today", Saturday 22 September 2007]

In November 2007 Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae said that certain issues were being discussed with the shipbuilder including the location of the RHIB on the quarterdeck from which it was torn off during the storm in July, a possible fatigue problem with the landing craft fittings, and that the propellers come out of the water when the ship pitches in rough sea - there have been no problems, but there is concern this may affect the ship's machinery. [" 'Run-down' army has no back-up battalions - "The Dominion Post", Friday 23 November 2007]

;RHIB issues

The "Canterbury" weathered her first strong storm during 10th July 2007 well, though she lost one of her RHIBs (and almost lost the other) to waves swamping her open boat bays while near Tauranga on the way to Auckland." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=439&objectid=10451032 Navy star defies stormy weather] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 12 July 2007] The RHIB was found a week later washed ashore on Great Barrier Island, 200 km to the north, and recovered by a farmer. The heavily damaged boat was to be returned to the navy, though it is unclear whether it can be repaired." [http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4131202a6000.html Farmer finds lost navy boat] " - "The Dominion Post", Wednesday 18 July 2007] " [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/location/story.cfm?l_id=500633&objectid=10452037 Farmer swims through surf to save navy boat] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Tuesday 17 July 2007] .

The court of inquiry into the loss of the Port RHIB and near loss of the starboard RHIB, found that loss was due to a known design flaw identified in tank testing. The flaw resulted in the loss of the RHIB and water entering the cargo deck after the doors were opened by the sea. As a result of this the doors were tied shut. The court of inquiry also reported slamming of the bow and propellers leaving the water. Options to resolve the design problems on the ship include closing the alcoves in which the ships boats had been stowed. At the time the RHIB was lost, the ship's log records the weather conditions as being a wind strength of 60 knots, gusting to 73, a swell of six metres (sea state six), and a completely overcast, very dark night. The alcoves are 3.3 metres above the waterline and were swamped by the waves and because the ship was experiencing severe motion, rolling up to 28 degrees to port, at a roll frequency of 11.5 seconds. The ships anti-roll system will not function when the period of the ships roll is less than 11.9 seconds. Work to relocate the boats in a less vulnerable location is underway. [" [http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/public-docs/cty-coi.pdf Record of Proceedings] (from a Court of Inquiry of the Royal New Zealand Navy, 24 August 2007)]

In October 2007 a crewmember was killed in a tragic accident when an RHIB capsized whilst being lowered into the sea. The Navy immediately began an inquiry into what caused the accident. [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=123&objectid=10468371 Navy probes 'perplexing' death] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Sunday 7 October 2007] Defence Minister Phil Goff later reported that this was caused by the failure of a quick release shackle, which was now being replaced on all naval vessels. ["Design fault known before ship delivered" - "The Dominion Post", Saturday 22 December 2007]

In September 2008 an independent review of the safety and functionality of the ship revealed that some operating limitations will have to be accepted as sea keeping performance is poor in high sea states. The "selection of a commercial Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro) design" has "been at the root of differences of opinion between Tenix, the MoD and NZDF and the shortfalls in performance". The report also recommended relocating the ships boats (or protecting them from waves if relocation was not possible) and adding more ballast / improving the ballasting system of the "Canterbury"." [http://www.defence.govt.nz/pdfs/independent-review-safety-hmnzs-canterbury.pdf Report of the review of the safety and functionality of HMNZS Canterbury] " (from the New Zealand Defence Force website. Accessed 22 September 2008)] New Zodiac inflatable sea boats were ordered from Tenix Australia to replace the two Gemini sea boats that were damaged. ["Navy's New Ship Stays Tied Up Until New Sea Boats Arrive" - "New Zealand Press Association", 15 September 2008]

Capabilities

Armaments

As a sealift ship, the "Canterbury" is not intended to enter combat, or conduct opposed landings under fire. The ship's armament is therefore relatively limited, and intended for self-defense against other smaller craft, and for ocean patrol duties (for example the intercepting of suspicious civilian craft) during a naval blockade.

Facilities

;CargoThe ship has cargo space of 1,451 m², which can be unloaded via two ramps, either from the starboard side or the stern. The ship also carries two 55 ton LCM (Landing Craft, Medium), with a load capability of 45 tons each, remotely similar to the Normandy beaching craft of World War II. With the LCM, the ship can unload cargo onto beaches or into small harbours when facilities capable of serving "Canterbury" are locally unavailable.

The indicative cargo would encompass (as one possible loadout): 14 Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicles, 16 NZLAV light armoured vehicles, 7 Unimog trucks, 2 ambulances, 2 flat bed trucks, 7 vehicle trailers, 2 rough terrain forklifts, 4 ATV-type vehicles and up to 33 20ft TEU containers."HMNZS Canterbury: Old Name, New Era" - "The New Zealand Herald", Wednesday 06 June 2007, Page A7]

The ship is equipped to embark up to 8 containers of ammunition and up to 2 with hazardous materials, and also has an extensive fire sprinkler system. [http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/project-protector/mrv-lcm.htm MRV and Landing Craft] (from the 'Project Protector' website of the Royal New Zealand Navy)]

;Helicopter facilities"Canterbury" is able to accommodate up to four NH90 hellicopters for deployment ashore in support of NZ Army operations and disaster relief activities. She is also capable of operating the SH-2G Seasprite and the helicopter deck is able to handle a Chinook-size helicopter.

;MedicalCanterbury has a 5 bed hospital ward, a two bed sickbay, an operating theatre, a medical laboratory and a morgue.

;Others

The ship also contains a gym, workshops, an armoury and magazine as well as offices for government officials embarked (such as Department of Conservation or NIWA scientists).

See also

* Logistic ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy
* HMNZS Canterbury (F-421) (name predecessor)
* Protector class IPV
* Protector class OPV

References

External links

* [http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/cant/default.htm HMNZS Canterbury - L421] (official website of the Royal New Zealand Navy)
* [http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/project-protector/default.htm Project Protector] (from the Royal New Zealand Navy website)
* [http://www.defence.govt.nz/reports-publications/nzdf-cap-rev/contents.html Phase One: Land Forces and Sealift] (from the New Zealand Defence Force Capability Review, November 2000)
* [http://www.defence.govt.nz/reports-publications/mfr/contents.html Key Findings] (from the Maritime Forces Review, January 2002)