ship - Royal New Zealand Navy

issue 203 SEPTEMBER 2016

MISSILE TRANSFER

TE MANA TOURS NZ

“SWISS ARMY KNIFE” SHIP

1 Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy

contents

NAVY TODAY ISSUE 203 2016

DIRECTORY Published to inform, inspire and entertain serving and former members of the RNZN, their families and friends and the wider Navy community. Navy Today is the official magazine of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Published by Defence Public Affairs, Wellington. Navy Today is now in its twentieth year of publication. Views expressed in Navy Today are not necessarily those of the RNZN or the NZDF.

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Contributions are welcomed, including stories, photographs and letters. Please submit stories and letters by email in Microsoft Word or the body of an email. Articles up to 500 words welcomed, longer if required by the subject. Please consult the editor about long articles. Digital photos submitted by email also welcomed, at least 500kb preferred.

COPY DEADLINES FOR NT 5PM AS FOLLOWS: NT 204 October issue NT 205 November issue NT 206 December issue Subject to change.

15 September 15 October 15 November

EDITOR: Andrew Bonallack Defence Public Affairs

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HQ NZ Defence Force Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand E: [email protected]

DESIGN & LAYOUT: Defence Public Affairs

PRINT: As part of a Government multi-agency

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MISSILE TRANSFER

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“SWISS ARMY KNIFE” SHIP issue 203 SEPTEMBER 2016

initiative the NZDF has changed to a single provider for all of its Print Services. This magazine is now printed by Blue Star. Feedback to [email protected] on the quality of this publication is welcomed.

INQUIRIES TO: Defence Public Affairs P: (04) 496 0270 F: (04) 496 0290 Director Defence Public Affairs P: (04) 496 0299 F: (04) 496 0290 Defence Careers: P: 0800 1FORCE (0800 136 723) www.defencecareers.mil.nz

CHANGING ADDRESS? To join or leave our mailing list, please contact: E: [email protected]

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BASIC COMMON TRAINING

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TE MANA TOURS NZ

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NAVY VALUES IN SONG

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WWI NAVAL ART MISSILE TRANSFER

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FUNERAL PROTOCOL

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SEA CADETS TURN 75

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SPORTS

TE MANA TOURS NZ

“SWISS ARMY KNIFE” SHIP

1 Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Royal New ZealaNd Navy

cover image: HMNZS TE KAHA (foreground), returning home from Hawaii, passes HMNZS TE MANA in Waitemata Harbour.

MARITIME OPERATIONS

LT CDR Haughey

yours aye

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aving spent the last 10 years mastering my trade (selfassessed!), I have recently had the opportunity to move away from familiar and comforting decks, drags and cabins towards a brave new world inside Headquarters Joint Forces. I’ve deliberately used the term ‘opportunity’; an opportunity to properly understand how Joint Operations work, an opportunity to represent and advocate for our Navy, and an opportunity to use an environment outside of the Navy to confirm a few theories. I have taken two main lessons away:

1. Nobody really knows what they are doing. I’ve never felt 100 per cent prepared for a job that I’ve done. I’ve also been set up to succeed in every role. These two statements are easier to reconcile if you accept that it’s normal to feel like you have no idea what you’re doing sometimes! It is neither possible nor desirable to be taught everything you need to know for a job. What’s more important is that you combine enough confidence to apply whatever training and experience you do have with a wide support network (of people to ask questions!) and a desire to learn quickly. This leads me to my second point.

2. The first task of any leader is to inspire trust. It is the most powerful form of motivation and inspiration. Throughout my time at sea and then outside of the Navy environment, I’ve experienced a wide range of leadership styles. As a result, I have gained an understanding and have recently confirmed what works best for me. If I feel like my superiors trust me then I am more engaged, productive and happy. If I can trust my superiors then I am motivated to work harder and I feel safe in making decisions, mistakes and sacrifices. Building mutual trust needs to be the priority of every leader from the tactical to strategic level of operations. Every single interaction, whether it is a conversation, email, signal or report, is affected positively or negatively by trust. It is critical – but it’s a perception that is inherently difficult to measure and understand. Fortunately the NZDF Leadership Framework Trust Model is able to provide some clarity. The model shows that trust requires a strong foundation of four pillars: Benevolence, Competence, Predictability and Integrity. Benevolence and Competence generally inspire trust the quickest, and the fastest way to lose trust is often through a violation of character or integrity. You’ll probably know from

LT CDR Haughey.

your own experiences what builds and undermines your trust and maybe even where you can focus efforts to improve mutual trust in your workplace. Although I miss being at sea, I know that I will be back before too long. I also know that with a strong foundation of maritime knowledge (again, self-assessed), I’m now in a position where I can learn more about the other services and the wider organisation, plus share with them how the Navy operates.

Commodore Jim Gilmour, MCC

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he role of the Headquarters Joint Forces is to prepare, manage and advise on all NZDF Operations. To this effect, the Maritime Component Commander (MCC) within Joint is responsible for the training and operation of maritime force elements across the spectrum of operations. As part of the Headquarters Joint Forces, and working for both MCC and COMJ (Commander Joint), the four members (LT CDR, WO, CPO and LH) of the Maritime operations team are responsible for the management, control and co-ordination of current and ongoing maritime operations, exercises and other activities by assigned forces in the short–to medium–term. They are a vital cog that helps achieve Joint’s vision of being a responsive headquarters that maximises the Joint Effect by translating strategic intent into effective operations. LT CDR Haughey leads this team.

YOURS AYE

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OUR PURPOSE

Rim of the Paci

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hope you enjoy this edition of Navy Today. I am sure you agree – our new editor, Mr Andrew Bonallack, has filled the magazine with some great stories of how your Navy is serving New Zealand. The Navy serves to Advance New Zealand’s Interests from the Sea. This purpose is pretty simple to say but needs a bit of thought if you are sitting in a work area well away from the sea or without day-today contact with our ships. As part of the Navy team your job is to ensure that we are able to send ships to sea to provide maritime solutions whether they are needed in our local region or globally. We are also part of a larger defence team that deploys land and air effects as well as Naval power. Being part of this larger endeavour requires us to fully understand our role and how it supports the wider responsibilities and effects of the NZDF. This Navy Today is full of the stories of success achieved by ships, organisations and people. But the success is not just based on personal effort. Rather, these stories celebrate the success of the WHOLE NAVY. Every one of us is intimately involved with the business of Advancing New Zealand’s Interests from the Sea – whether we are at sea, under training preparing to go to sea, regenerating from sea duties, supporting our people at sea, planning for our ships to support others or maintaining our ships, home base and facilities. We must also acknowledge our partners, friends and families whose support is essential for us in achieving our duty. We all need to be able to trace Advancing New Zealand’s Interests from the Sea to our own job, so that we can say that the Navy’s purpose is our purpose. For me that means critically looking at what I do every day and asking myself “does what I am doing make the Navy better now and into the future?” It helps me prioritise and keep in mind the personal role that I have, to lead a Navy that delivers today while preparing for the Navy after next.

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he world’s largest international maritime exercise concluded on August 4, during a reception held on board the NIMITZclass aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN 74).

Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in Rim of the Pacific 2016, more countries and personnel than in any previous years. This year’s RIMPAC marked the 25th in the series that began in 1971 and is now held every two years. This year’s exercise saw units and personnel from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States.

Your contribution to our success ensures that we are ready to Advance New Zealand’s Interests from the Sea.

Highlights for New Zealand included successful live-firing exercises, such as the firing of a Sea Sparrow missile, and the launching of MK46 torpedoes from TE KAHA and its Seasprite

Chief of Navy Rear Admiral John Martin

Above: CDRE Jim Gilmour confers with his US and Canadian counterparts above Pyramid Rock, K Bay, during the US Marine Corps’ landing on the beach using Assault Amphibious Vehicles.

HAVE MISSILES, WILL TRAVEL

Terminal operations chief Carlos Tibbetts worked the logistics for the 599th, after getting a call from US Transport Command.

By Donna Klapakis

“I asked if they had tried to ship the cargo back with the New Zealand Navy.”

If you’re going our way, can you pick up some missiles?

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MNZS TE KAHA was able to effect a delivery for the New Zealand Army after completing RIMPAC 2016, thanks to a lot of logistical phone-calling between American infrastructure operations. The 599th Transportation Brigade, Naval Magazine, TRANSCOM, the US Transportation Command Pearl Harbor, and the Defence Security Cooperation Agency linked up to ensure a New Zealand-ordered delivery of Javelin missiles got to Hickam Air Force in Hawaii, and from there to TE KAHA.

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RIMPAC MISSILE TRANSFER

“They asked if I knew of any way to ship from Hawaii if the missiles could make it to Hickam.

It was a surprise for TE KAHA’s weapons engineering officer LT CDR Warren McLuckie, who had to find some space on board. “The request to embark the Javelins came completely out of the blue,” he says. “The assistant weapon engineering officer was approached on completion of the live-fire briefing in Pearl Harbor and asked whether the ship could support the activity. I had no previous knowledge of the requirement, but we are always keen to support the wider Defence Force and logistics organisation.” Once the crew knew the missiles were coming aboard Te Kaha,

fic 2016 Concludes helicopter as well as No 5 Squadron’s P-3K2 Orion. The role of commanding Coalition Task Force 176, an amphibious force of ships, aircraft and personnel, went to RNZN Commodore Jim Gilmour, who says he was honoured to do so. “Exercise RIMPAC 16 encompassed rich training opportunities for all aspects of warfare on, in, above and from the sea,” he says. “For the amphibious task force we conducted these activities both in the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Together, these training objectives help us better understand how to build a stronger force within a multi-national environment to respond to real world peace and security efforts in the complex and dynamic world we live in. Exercise RIMPAC provides a relevant, realistic training exercise to build trust and relationships across nations, exercise a wide range of capabilities across military services and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces.” CDRE Gilmour has worked closely with American forces before, during a Pacific Partnership mission and counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. “The professional relationships that were forged over these two operational experiences will last a lifetime and they reinforced in me an understanding that we are ‘cut from the same cloth’.” A shared exercise experience like RIMPAC is valuable for nations who want to promote and preserve a rules-based international order. “Trust is not a commodity that can be surged when needed. When called upon to act together we must be able to do so rapidly. There will not be time to build trust in ourselves, our teams, our equipment, our coalition partners or our procedures from scratch. I have no doubt that the trusted relationships built throughout this exercise will serve us well into the future as we work together with our partners to serve as good global citizens for maintaining peace and security with our Pacific region – as Capable, Adaptive Partners.”

they had to quickly create special stowage for the cargo. “Thankfully we had the space available to store the missiles,” LT CDR McLuckie says. “However, we did need to get some special platforms made to store them on. … Things got pretty close as far as timings were concerned, but it all worked out well.” Even with all the work everyone had put into the shipment, the final element did not fall into place until time was running out. “The ship worked with both the Head Quarters Joint Forces and the Fleet Engineering Authority in New Zealand to gain the required approval to embark the missiles,” LT CDR McLuckie says. “This was mainly a safety assessment and to check compatibility with other munitions. We received the final approval the day before we went to NAVMAG. “The missiles were subsequently safely offloaded at the Defence Ammunition Depot – Kauri Point on arrival in New Zealand.”

ABLE CHEF PAUL ALLEN “It was a great opportunity to learn from the Australian chefs.” HMAS CANBERRA is Australia’s newest and largest ship, home to 1000 personnel – 400 crew and a further 600 troops. And they all expect to get three meals a day. It is a big ask for Able Chef Paul Allen, who joined the Australian team for five weeks during RIMPAC 2016 in Hawaii. “The highlight of the exercise has been the opportunity to come on a vessel this size and cook for this number of people,” AC Allen, 27, says. “We used 60 kilograms of bacon a day for breakfast, 120kg of potatoes for lunch or dinner, and 100kg of steaks. We also made soft-serve daily, ranging from vanilla to snickers flavours,” he said.

ACWS Sven Morgan “I joined the Navy with aspirations of getting out and seeing the world, as well as bettering myself as an individual, both physically and mentally.” ACWS Sven Morgan 22, says his deployment with HMNZS TE KAHA at RIMPAC has been the highlight of his career since joining the Navy four years ago. “The opportunity to work with so many other nations and their militaries, while visiting Hawaii, doesn’t come around very often. I consider myself lucky for getting to experience it. “Being able to see different units such as destroyers and aircraft carriers and F22 jets flying around was exciting – not things you get to see every day. Then having downtime and being able to explore Hawaii and meet different people just topped it all off,” he says. At RIMPAC, his role was to provide reliable communications to and from TE KAHA. He was also able to show off his kapa haka skills with the ship’s Maori Cultural Group. RIMPAC was the kind of challenge he was looking for when he joined the Navy nearly four years ago. “I joined the Navy with aspirations of getting out and seeing the world, as well as bettering myself as an individual, both physically and mentally. “If you enjoy being a part of a team and more or less a second family, having the opportunity to travel the world, learn heaps and experience things you wouldn’t have the chance to experience anywhere else, and get paid at the same time, then I advise people to join the Navy.”

RIMPAC

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Top left: AMT Faataki, Bell, Hunwick, McArthur (back row), AMT Dorrington, Jackson, Holder (front row).

the required signatures and we have completed our books, we are entitled to promotion to Able Marine Technician. My time with the Calgary, to say the least, has had the hallmarks of all good stories. With an abundance of excitement, emotions, adventure and relationships, both new and old, wrenches were turned and good times were had. The exchange started with a bang. On our first night in Victoria we went for supper at a local joint called The Sticky Wicket. While enjoying a beverage before our meals arrived, a car came hurtling into the side of the restaurant, blowing fixtures off the wall and missing us by mere inches.

CANADA AHOY! By Able Marine Technician Quaid Hunwick

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n a brisk, cold January 20, 2016, myself and six other sailors representing the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) arrived in Victoria. We travelled as part of a naval exchange program known as REGULUS between the RNZN and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The REGULUS exchange programme gives me sailors of participating nations the opportunity to work and train with international allies on ships around the world. As we received our orders to join Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary, our eagerness to work with Canadian sailors in order to begin completing our task books grew. Now, six months later, I reflect on my time here as I sail onward towards home aboard HMCS Calgary.

A task book is a training package that is issued to each sailor. Inside the task book is a list of jobs and skills that a sailor needs to complete as part of our training. Once we have learned the new skill and a task has been completed (such as drawing a technical schematic of the ship’s low pressure air system) our supervisor will sign off that particular task in our books. Once we have all

A few days later I found myself aboard Calgary. Everyone was welcoming and eager to get us involved in the Canadian way of life. From the very beginning, I was made to feel part of the crew. One of my fondest memories of Canada will be the Sooke, BC, pot holes swimming area. I visited a couple of times with exceptional company, swimming and jumping off the rocks into the water. At sea we were employed in the engineering department so that we could earn our way to becoming engineering roundsmen. Our task was to constantly walk around machinery spaces/engine rooms to monitor running machinery. Roundsmen operate and start any equipment that cannot be controlled remotely (such as manually opening and closing valves). Roundsmen serve as the “eyes and ears” of senior engineering personnel and are usually the first to notice if equipment is not working the way it is supposed to. If we ever see, hear or smell anything out of the ordinary, we report it to senior members of the engineering department, who will in turn investigate the issue. If the issue is a minor problem, the senior member of the engineering department will typically direct the roundsman on how to fix it. Getting “rounds qualified” is the first milestone in a junior engineer’s career. In order to get this qualification, we must tour a senior member of the department around the machinery spaces

That was the first impression of LT Wesley Moir, who turned up with seven colleagues from the Littoral Warfare Unit to join Pacific environmental group Sea Cleaners at the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge. Sea Cleaners was founded in Auckland and has worked with the Navy before in Waitemata harbour clean-ups. The LWU unit had been asked to represent New Zealand, following the RIMPAC exercises, in a beach-cleaning exercise, as TE KAHA had to depart Hawaii on the chosen day.

Above: A morning’s work on the beach with the Littoral team, US Navy personnel and some extra help.

CLEAN UP YOUR ACT

“It just so happened we were waiting for our RTNZ flight back, so we had a day available and it was worked into our programme,” says LT Moir. Facing them were supposed wildlife areas, covered for kilometres in debris. “Due to the currents that pass the Hawaiian islands, all of the sea litter and debris washes ashore on the northern beaches.”

By Andrew Bonallack

He says there might have been 20km of microplastics, buoys, nets, bottles, children’s toys and tyres. He and his team, including 12 US Navy personnel, could only manage a 500m stretch.

Bring to mind any kind of floatable consumer item, and you would probably have found it as junk on Oahu in Hawaii.

Sea Cleaners president Hayden Smith says he thought the sailors were pretty affected by the amount of rubbish.

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RIMPAC

and answer questions. If the senior member is satisfied, he or she will qualify us to be a roundsman. Before we set sail, however, we had a grand adventure in Whistler, BC. It was Easter weekend, and myself and a bunch of fellow Kiwis travelled to Whistler with our sights set on a long weekend on the slopes. We bought all the kit and gizmos we could before we set off one day after work. Unfortunately I had come down with food poisoning the day before so travelling was a dangerous endeavour. However, through it all, I prevailed and I will always remember stepping off the bus, soaking in the view and yelling “What-up Whistler!” Fun and games aside, my Mum always told me that if you cannot stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen, or in this case…the engine spaces. We were put to work endorsing our prior learning and gaining new knowledge day by day, as we had to gather understanding of different systems and equipment. As filthy a job as it was, I enjoyed repairing the long broken “puck maker” with my buddy McArthur. The puck maker is a device we use on ship to melt and re-form plastic. Because there is limited space on board, and we aren’t able to throw plastic overboard for environmental reasons, we melt all recycled plastic and reform the melted plastic into large discs, or pucks. By melting the plastic down and reshaping it, we are able to store more plastic on board prior to recycling it once we return to harbour. It was a job we were able to take ownership of and call our own. In my humble opinion, we rocked it! While being on board I completed my first task book, which was the purpose of my visit and led to my promotion to Able Marine Technician. I became rounds qualified and was able to make a quality contribution to the running of the ship. I survived the challenges of work-ups and answered the call of the ocean. The friendships that have been forged I hope are everlasting and that maybe one day I can share a piece of my homeland with them. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, but I will always have my ship wear to feel like a Calgary sailor once again. Onward!

“These are places were the general public don’t go, out of sight, out of mind, and that’s where the wind and tide takes things. “We do our reconnaissance work and deploy people to the right places.” He says the LWU were an “amazing crew. It was so good to have a solid team behind us. They got thrown in at the deep end and got stuck in. I couldn’t be more proud to be a Kiwi.” In an email, he reports that while they had “barely scratched the surface” they removed a substantial amount of rubbish. He hopes other nations will step up next time to match the Kiwi spirit. CAPT Andrew Watts, director of Operation Neptune, says the Navy started a relationship with Mr Smith after an introduction from Sir Bob Harvey, a Sea Cleaners patron and supporter of Operation Neptune. Mr Smith brought the Navy into a clean-up of the Tamaki estuary, and the relationship has grown from there.

ASTD Deena-Ranginui Puketapu Able Steward Deena-Ranginui Puketapu, 22, wanted to travel the world and play sport. But it is also her job to make sure it is a smooth playing field for the Commanding Officer and distinguished visitors, as a steward aboard HMAS CANBERRA during RIMPAC 2016. “I looked after the Commanding Officer and distinguished visitors. I was responsible for completing the VIP functions and serving 105 officers through the wardroom.” This was Able Steward Puketapu’s second RIMPAC – at the previous one, in 2014, she served on RNZN ship HMNZS Canterbury. “The highlight of the exercise was carrying out the ‘Procedure Alpha’ while coming into Pearl Harbor,” she says. “This is when the whole ship’s company is in ceremonial dress, spread around the perimeter of the upper deck, as the ship sails into the harbour.” Two years ago she was awarded the Navy Young Sportsperson of the Year. It was the Navy’s emphasis on physical fitness and sports that enticed her to join the service just more than four years ago. “While in the Navy I have been involved at inter-service level for softball and at NZDF level for basketball, netball, and touch. “It is a good career,” she says. “You get to go places and do things you wouldn’t do in an ordinary life. And you make lifelong friends.”

OCSS Kafele Ababa OCSS Kafele Ababa’s first overseas deployment has turned out to the highlight of his two-year career so far. The 21-year-old came to the Navy after completing the Service Academy programme at Tamaki College. “I chose the Navy because the lifestyle sounded like it would be the best – things like the travel, comradeship and the job itself all stood out for me.” As a watchkeeper on HMNZS TE KAHA, he spent most of his time in the Operations Room. He is keen on fitness and enjoys photography, making him the ship’s photographer. “My passion for fitness is easy to integrate into my day-to-day life, as a lot of it is hands-on. “I believe that if anyone is looking for an awesome career or they don’t know what to do with their life, the military is a great choice, especially for the younger generation. “Joining the military provides discipline, experience in leadership, and the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures.”

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Left: CDR Quentin Randall, as the new CO of PHILOMEL, salutes DCN CDRE David Gibbs.

I HAvE THE SHIP

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n a crisp August afternoon in Auckland Commander David Turner handed command of HMNZS PHILOMEL to Commander Quentin Randall.

While CDR Turner’s time leading the home of the Navy was only six months it was noted by Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Dave Gibbs, that he had made considerable progress towards the Navy 2020 vision during his time at the helm. Popular for his calm nature, consistency and ability to listen, CDR Turner has been redeployed to the somewhat warmer waters of Hawaii where, he will begin a three-year posting as liaison officer for US Pacific Command. CDR Turner in his farewell address commented that Command of PHILOMEL is a position that requires strong leadership, bold decision-making and a willingness to be an agent for change. He pointed out that leadership is not just about the leader, it is about their ability to empower their people in a shared direction so that the journey or mission can continue with or without the leader being present.

Getting to know you Q: What is the favourite port you’ve visited? A: Early in my career I visited Pohnpei, a small volcanic island in the Federated States of Micronesia. I had my kayak on board, so it was great to get up in the morning and paddle around the harbour, disturbed only by one or two local fisherman in similarly small boats. Later during the visit we were involved in community support activities, clearing up and repainting a local school. An eye-opening contrast was how the main road in town was gravel, and the shops at the road side were mostly roughly clad corrugated iron. But at the end of the road was an Embassy – high white stone walls, with a magnificent gateway and plush buildings to match. Q: What’s the hardest thing you’ve been asked to do? A: As a family-oriented person, I have always found deployments to be difficult. Separation from family is never easy, and while advances in telecommunications have gone some way to closing the gap, I am afraid that instant messenger is no substitute for being home. In someway I think access to instant communications actually makes the separation more difficult, than when waiting for the weekly mail bag. Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: I enjoy a bit of home DIY but, more recently I have been spending my weekends in the far North relaxing with family,

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PHILOMEL Change of command

He said that Command had been one of the most satisfying and genuinely rewarding jobs he had the pleasure of doing and reminded ship’s company to stay true to the Navy values, warning, “you can’t talk your way out of something you behaved yourself into – simple as that.” CDR Randall, in his first speech to Ship’s Company, made the point that for the vision of Navy 2020 to be achieved, every single member had a part to play. “Do not hide behind organisational structures or reporting lines. This is a shared responsibility between us all, and I will be calling on everyone working across the Naval Base to play their part in creating a culture where they know their safety is paramount,” he said. Born in Hawera, CDR Randall completed his schooling at Whangarei Boys’ High before joining the RNZN in 1990 as a midshipman. He has served on numerous ships including HMNZ Ships TUI, WAIKATO, MONOWAI, RESOLUTION and TE KAHA and has held an overseas posting in Western Australia. He takes up Command during a period of great change and growth as PHILOMEL and the over 1,000 personnel posted to the Base each play their part in helping the RNZN reach the goals of workforce excellence, operational focus and organisational agility outlined in the Navy 2020 vision. With the parade concluded, and the PHILOMEL symbol of Command, the Morice Blood sword transferred, CDR Randall has the ship. and escaping the hustle and bustle of Auckland. I really enjoy recreational boating and fishing. Q: What is the best advice you ever received? A: A quote that has stuck with me is, “people need to get their minds around the fact that productivity cannot be measured by hours sitting at a desk”. It recognises that different people are productive in different ways. Some people need time to think before undertaking the next task, or time to reflect having completed one. They may need to discuss their thoughts and ideas in a relaxed social setting before embarking on an activity, or they may be comfortable quickly moving from one task to the next. The key take-away is that people are different, and while routines and regulations are important (and essential in some situations), people derive energy in different ways. As a manager it is important to acknowledge this, and allow some latitude for people to be the best they can be. Q: What are you the most proud of? A: Sea service earlier in my career was definitely memorable; after all, it is what we join to do. There are clearly events that spring to mind more clearly than others, both good and bad. My personal achievement is probably completing work up in TE KAHA as head of department with an ‘above standard’ result, or ‘fully prepared’ in today’s language. While there was certainly an element of personal pride in the result, I think I was more proud of the support team for delivering such a great performance on the day.

JUDGE: DON’T GET TERRITORIAL By Andrew Bonallack

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ould the South China Sea dispute have been handled through collaboration and management, rather than an all-out decision on sovereignty that appears to be going nowhere?

That’s the reflection of Sir Kenneth Keith, a former judge on the International Court of Justice, who gave an hour-long address at Victoria University’s Law Faculty last month, entitled: “Settlement of disputes about the law of the Sea: Reflections following the South China Sea Award”. Members of the Royal New Zealand Navy, including CN RADM John Martin, attended Sir Kenneth’s talk, delivered on behalf of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. China has bitterly rejected a July 12 decision from an international tribunal that their claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea has no basis. The tribunal has also ruled that China, in claiming these waters, is breaching the Philippines’ sovereignty. For the South China Sea arbitration a five-member panel was appointed, led by Ghanian-born judge Thomas A. Mensah. The other members were Judge Jean-Pierre Cot (France), Judge Stanislaw Pawlak (Poland, nominated by Philippines in lieu of China not nominating), Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum (Germany, nominated by Philippines), and Professor Alfred H. A. Soons (Dutch). “China made it clear at the outset that it would not participate,” said Sir Kenneth. “It consistently rejected the Philippines’ request for arbitration, and it adhered to the position of neither accepting, nor participating in the proceedings.” Sir Keith says the consequences of the Chinese not exercising their right to choose a member meant a tribunal with four Europeans on it. “Wouldn’t they have found it rather strange that a case relating to waters in this part of the world, was going to be decided by a panel with four Europeans.” But perhaps the question of ownership, of sovereignty, of the South China Sea, would have been better put to one side. Sir Kenneth said the Antarctic Treaty, between 12 nations, was an example of putting scientific research and ecological management before territorial disputes.

Top of page: Sir Kenneth Keith holds up the ruling of a five-member tribunal, made public on July 12, regarding China’s claim to the South China Sea against the Philippines. Above: RNZN officers, LT Simon Dickson, CDR Andrew Law, CAPT Karl Woodhead and CDR Alastair McHaffie in the audience.

issues, differently, partly by exclusion, and establishing methods for managing the area.” Management would have included responses to piracy, safety at sea, protection of the environment, conservation of fisheries, and maintaining diversity, he said. “Such matters can be managed and handled on an on-going basis, without apparently fundamental issues having to be addressed.” Sir Kenneth recalled Prime Minister Norman Kirk’s assertion that he had no faith in lawyers “because they lose half their cases”.

“In Antarctica, you have a very careful definition – or a very careful exclusion – from the matters being addressed.

“I ask the question, was the Phillipines wise in putting all of its eggs, or so many of them, in the litigation basket?”

“The Antarctic treaty puts to one side the idea of sovereignty. Some had territorial claims, and others which did not. And they decided, in that negotiation, not to resolve those issues of sovereignty, to put them on ice, as the aficionados say.

In balance to China, Sir Kenneth quoted a Chinese judge, a friend of his, who spoke positively of “rich jurisprudence of international courts, a major product of Western civilisation”.

“Now, plainly the rights and issues and interests of the South China Sea are very different. But what I’m focusing on is the possibility, had it been taken – and perhaps it still can be taken – of defining the real

“Lessons have to be learned, and I would say that lessons have to be learned both for those who think litigation is a great idea – and it may not be – and by those who may be subject to such proceedings.”

SIR KENNETH KEITH ADDRESS

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“SWISS ARMY KNIFE” SHIP Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee calls it the “Swiss Army knife” of navy vessels. The Navy call it two ships in one. Andrew Bonallack talks to members of the Littoral Operations Support Capability project team.

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hat project has just released a Request For Tender document for a new Littoral Operations Support Vessel that will replace the hydrographic vessel HMNZS RESOLUTION, already decommissioned, and the diving vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI, which will reach the end of its service in 2018. The new vessel is scheduled for delivery around the same time as the MSC replacement tanker, in 2020. Unlike the MSC project, which is purpose-built and designed “from the keel up”, the LOSC will be based on a commercial offshore vessel design, and modified with military capabilities to support an amphibious-capable Joint Task Force. The military capabilities the RFT is seeking include self-protection systems, stern slipway for

tactical insertion of specialist small boats, command and control facilities and sensor management system. The LOSC is expected to also have the ability to carry an embarked force of 50 personnel, and an aviation-capability that is able to land a NH90. The LOSC is designed to operate in a medium-threat environment, and will have survivability and redundancy features. Whilst designed to operate in a threat environment, this vessel is also able to support other government agencies, both regionally and domestic. The vessel is expected to be fitted with hydrographic systems to assist in mapping of the sea bed, a salvage crane, diving and remotely operated vehicle systems to find and recover items from the sea bed. Operations Requirement Manager LT CDR Brad

LITTORAL OPERATIONS OPTION 1 • • • •

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Self Protection Typhoon Mini typhoon Browning 0.5 Cal MG Survivability and redundancy features

C4ISR

• Sensor Management System • Joint planning room • Other Government Agencies planning space

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4

1

Embarked Force (EF)

• Tactical Deployment of specialist boats via slipway • Medical treatment facility • 50 x EF

4 Aviation • NH90 capable (non-embarked) • Remotely Piloted Aerial System

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2

“SWISS ARMY KNIFE” SHIP

6 5

Engineering Manager LT CDR Miller says MANAWANUI has done her job. “She’s done 40 years as a diving support ship, and has completed great service but is certainly in need of replacing as many of her systems are, or soon will be, obsolete”. The replacement ship will be a capability enhancement from MANAWANUI in terms of ship systems. The new vessel will be fitted with some of the latest technology such as a dynamic positioning system, which enables the ship to hover over a location at the ‘push of a button’. LT CDR King says “you can literally drive this ship with a joystick”.

HMNZS RESOLUTION Decommissioned

HMNZS MANAWANUI End of service in 2018

King states: “The ship will be a useful addition to New Zealand’s ability to perform humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the South Pacific, as provided recently to Fiji during cyclone Winston”. This utility to operate across a spectrum of operations is where the vessel earns its “Swiss Army knife” label.

The modernity of this ship prompts LT CDR Miller to say he would like to be that junior rating who gets to serve on this ship.

“There’s a lot of new and interesting technology for all the branches and trades. It’s going to be an exciting ship to serve on and a great asset for our Navy.”

OPTION ASSESSMENT AGAINST DEFENCE WHITE PAPER 2016 TRENDS Provides Government: Improved support to other government agencies Improved response for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief Key enabler for a joint task force security and stabilisation response Wider multinational or coalition contributions: – Maritime security – Mine counter measures – Maritime explosive ordnance disposal

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   

5 Hydrographic

• Multi- and single-beam echo sounders • Rapid environmental assessment and processing capability

6 Diving and



*This vessel is representative of one potential solution to the Littoral Operations Support Capability user requirements and does not indicate the arrangement of a specific solution or necessarily reflect the design of the final negotiated LOSC ship.

• • • •

Underwater Salvage Air diving system through moonpool Remotely Operated Vehicle (1000m depth) Salvage Crane (50t lift @ 60m, man riding) Working deck area – 650m²

“SWISS ARMY KNIFE” SHIP

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The Perfect Score By Ensign Jacob O’Neill

Top left: TE MANA refuels at sea from ENDEAVOUR.

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Top right: CDR David Fairweather, MOET, praises the crew of ENDEAVOUR for their perfect score.

n June, through to July, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR conducted her workup. The pre-workup brief was an opportunity for the Maritime Operation Evaluation Team (MOET) to lay out their expectations and requirements for completing our workup with the best possible result. ENDEAVOUR was given a thorough run-down on what it would take to achieve the Directed Level of Capability on the completion of its workup but ultimately it would come down to one thing: “Preparations, Preparations, Preparations”. It’s a phrase ENDEAVOUR’s company were all too familiar with, as it is a favourite saying of the Commanding Officer. This time, however, it was delivered by CDR Gray, the Fleet XO. This did not deter us; rather, we were inspired. Having just spent the last seven weeks in company with TE KAHA for her own workup, ENDEAVOUR knew they were more than ready. It was time to see what MOET had in store. The first day of workup arrived and MOET staff were greeted with what could have only been described as an unsettling amount of enthusiasm from ENDEAVOUR’s company. It did not take long for the action to start and by the time the ship had left Alpha buoy down her starboard side, Oscar took his first of many dips in the oggy and we knew Workup 2016 had begun. The momentum continued to ramp up with countless damage control evolutions, casualties and engineering drills, until the ship had to come alongside a couple of days early for some urgent safeguard repairs. The scenario for ENDEAVOUR’s workup was a continuation of the one used for TE KAHA. ENDEAVOUR, in consort with TE MANA, was to bring stability to the region of Aotearoa and offer support to the Territory of Beulah (TOB) who was facing aggression from the Colony of Avalon (CA). The scenario was maintained for the full three weeks of workup, continuing whilst alongside. This saw the ship having to exercise Force Protection as the hostility of some rebel factions amongst the locals meant the ship had become the focal point for protests and harassment. However, whatever scenario MOET threw at ENDEAVOUR, whether it was alongside or at sea, it was met with such a positive attitude that by the end of the second week it looked like MOET were the ones starting to tire. As the ship entered the third and final week of workup, the Ship’s Company were looking sharp. All emergencies were being dealt to with a fluidity and efficiency that only comes from a cohesive team. And this was all put to the test for real on the Monday night, two nights before ENDEAVOUR’s final assessment, the Directed Readiness Evaluation (DRE). It began with a routine day into night RAS(L) with TE MANA. ENDEAVOUR was in the final stages of

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ENDEAVOUR WoRK-UP

P1

recovering the RAS gear when suddenly one of the wires parted, leaving no way for a controlled return of the probe. Though this was a potentially dangerous situation, quick and calm decisionmaking from the CBM (CPOSCS Morris) saw the safe return of the equipment to ENDEAVOUR. TE MANA played a vital role in the incident as well, with their Bridge Team maintaining a 30m displacement for an additional one hour and 15 minutes while the rig was inched back on board ENDEAVOUR. This type of event is precisely why a workup is conducted, and ENDEAVOUR proved she was able to cope with the real thing with professionalism, style, and grace. Thursday morning was the final day of workup. The ship was anchored in Mercury Bay, Whitianga. The MOET staff were challenged/welcomed with a haka as they embarked in the dawning light, but once on board the fate of the ship was in their hands for the next 24 hours. This was ENDEAVOUR’s final challenge and MOET left nothing out. In turn ENDEAVOUR left nothing wanting. Every facet of the ship’s capability was put to the test with the first 12 hours centred around a transit from Whitianga to the Hauraki Gulf, which was interrupted by a Search and Rescue (SAR) in the disputed waters around Great Barrier Island. In true MOET fashion, the DRE finished with a quite literal BANG as the ship was attacked by hostiles in the very early hours of the morning resulting in multiple DC incidents. As the Auckland city skyline grew visible on the horizon, ENDEAVOUR continued to trek towards Alpha buoy for the final time. CDR David Fairweather, MOET commander, announced over the general broadcast that the safeguard routine was no longer in force and that ENDEAVOUR’s Workup 2016 was officially over. ENDEAVOUR proceeded alongside Devonport Naval Base with an air of unspoken elation. Mustered on the flight deck, ENDEAVOUR was debriefed by CAPT Dave McEwan, Acting MCC, who had embarked during the DRE. CAPT McEwan delivered the results to an enthralled audience. Navigation: P1, Executive: P1, Support: P1… The results continued with every department attaining a P1 grading. ENDEAVOUR Workup 2016 was a full-on and eventful three weeks, yet it was also thoroughly enjoyable. What made it so successful was not only the “Preparations, Preparations, Preparations” that the CO had been drilling into us since the beginning of the year, but because of the vivacious attitude towards every challenge MOET laid down. Today as a result the ship’s company is a much more capable, cohesive unit. And who can forget the well-deserved cherry on top of the cake: P1- Across the board; the Perfect Score!

We’re ready for sea

PHOTO: SLT Phillip Quinlan

By POWTR Susie Robertson

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e all know when we’re ready for the weekend, and we are all pretty sure when we are ready for our next role, but how does the Navy know when its ships are ready for Naval operations? It’s not as straightforward as you might think. Ships are very complex organisations, with millions of moving parts and maybe even hundreds of highly trained personnel – each at differing points in their career. The Government requires the NZDF to report on how ready we are to conduct military operations. Championing and reporting that level of readiness is one of the roles of the Office of Captain Fleet Operational Readiness (OCFOR). Some of the factors that affect how ready a ship is are: • Does each sailor’s training, competence and experience fit with what their role requires? • How reliable is the equipment on board, and does it have a history of becoming regularly unserviceable? • Is the ship trained to meet its operational task – has it done enough whole ship training for the assigned mission? • How long can the ship stay ready? Does it have the spares, fuel, food, ammunition and water to continue? Our role is to do more than just measure operational readiness. We also have to champion the number one strategic goal of the Navy – Operational Focus. This means that we help influence the ability of warships to safely and effectively conduct naval operations. When you are banging your head against a bulkhead because everything seems to be stopping your ship from getting to sea, then it’s our job to help make things work and to ensure

Above: TE MANA crewmembers ACWS Michael Moore (left), ACWS Jessica Abrahams and ACWS Dallas Davis-Nepe prepare to signal as their ship leaves Devonport for exercises at sea.

that your ship gets safely back on operations. We also work to confirm that every day you spend at sea is not just “for the sake of it”, and that everything our ships and people do, ensures our readiness to respond when directed. Safety is mentioned a lot in this article, because ensuring safety on operations is one of the most important things that we, as sailors, have to do every day. CFOR, in collaboration with Director Naval Safety in particular, the Fleet Operational Safety Officer (FOSO) and the MOET Fleet Seamanship Executive Officer (FSXO), is also responsible for ensuring that your safety is managed both alongside and at sea. If your equipment fails or if a process could put you in harm’s way (and you report it) we then kick into action and ensure the problem is investigated and that the necessary changes are progressed to keep you safe. That might mean that the Fleet does its business differently, or by using different equipment – or even that we just don’t do that activity until it becomes safe to do so. Like every job, there is the administration that we all have to do as well as the fun of operations. A really important part of that administration is the Organisational Audit (OA) process. Because you all work hard and are motivated people, you have made improvements and we have all learned better ways of what we do. The OA ensures that when we go on operations that we do it in the manner that you have all identified as being the most safe, efficient and effective. That means that we have the best systems to manage everything from security, maintenance of equipment, medical support – even catering standards. In the Office of Captain Fleet Operational Readiness no two days are the same. That’s because we work for the Fleet, and our goal is to ensure there is a safe operational focus.

OPERATIONAL READINESS

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A DAY TO REMEMBER By Andrew Bonallack

When the recruits from the BCT 16/02 course march into the carpark of Devonport’s National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the noise is minimal.

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he muted march is partly due to the variety of civilian sneakers worn by the 45 recruits, but it is the seriousness on each face that brings a classroom silence to the carpark.

The recruits stand at attention and wait for instructions. It’s nearly 8am and they have been up for over two hours. Their plain blue, janitor-like coveralls do little to impress, but underneath the shoulders are square. The recruits stand tall and do not move. Their names are stencilled on white strips, stuck to their chests. It is Attestation Day, August 10, the third morning in Week 1 of 18, when recruits declare an oath to join the Royal New Zealand Navy, and sign on the dotted line. Ready at the museum are a variety of instructors. The word already is that this intake, with an average age of 18 to 19, is a “keen bunch”.

Above: The recruits of BCT 16/02 arrive at the Navy Museum for their Attestation Ceremony.

Three days earlier, on a Sunday, parents and relatives dropped off their sons and daughters at the base. There are tears on both sides. Parents watch as long as they can on the other side of the gate as the recruits are taken in. Prior to attestation, the youngsters learn basic drill, coming to attention, standing at ease. There is paperwork, medical and dental checks. Two sets of coveralls are issued. Youngsters who might have enjoyed their own bedroom for years now find themselves with nine or 10 other recruits in one room. Some have never been to Auckland before. Far Left: Recruit (OET) Samuel Lim during the BCT 16/02 Attestation Ceremony, held at the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum. Left: BCT 16/02 recruits sign their attestation forms.

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BASIC COMMON TRAINING

Top left: CPOPTI Miria Paul counts Recruit (OSA) Deanna Makoare’s press ups.

Top right: Recruits work to beat the buzzer across the court during their initial RNZN Fitness Evaluation.

Now, their backs to the harbour, the recruits stand ready to deliver the oath in the museum’s peaceful WWI commemorative pavilion, which has hosted attestations since 2011. Some recruits opt for the Bible and are issued with the Navy’s waterproof version.

training, class photos and a formal welcome to the Navy’s marae, Te Taua Moana.

After the oath, the recruits are brought to a table where their attestation forms, with their names at the top, await their signing. No-one asks a question. Already the instructions are becoming clipped, as a Petty Officer sorts them into the right place. Initial training offcer LT CDR Dean Bloor, along with course officer LT Colin Carkeek and SLT Dom Wells, has shaken hands with them all, and will catch up with their progress at the gym in an hour. The recruits are now his responsibility. LT CDR Bloor says the transition for this intake has been smooth, but makes no bones about how big a transition it is.

Inside the Fleet Gym, the Physical Training Instructor gets to the point. “Your aim is to give 100 per cent in every session, regardless of how fit you are. You will strive to be the best you can be. Our job is to push you to that limit. Recruits in PT gear never walk –it is always double or run. No hands on hips, hands in pockets or arms folded. If you are standing or sitting at attention, you do not move. Do not talk, do not touch yourself, do not look around. Is that understood?” “YES PTI!” In groups, the recruits tackle a running exercise that gets faster and faster, trying to beat the buzzer. The breathing gets harder. “Work hard, don’t give up! Dig deep!”

“This is a huge adjustment, mentally and physically,” he says. “The biggest adjustment is 5.30am starts, to 10pm at night.”

The waiting recruits, sitting in the stands, are not forgotten. “Shoulders back, chest proud! You’ll get your chance.”

The recruits are in coveralls because they have yet to learn how to look after Navy kit.

Push-ups are next. Some recruits anticipate the command too soon. “Simple instructions! Listen to the words, react accordingly!”

“These recruits are coming from all corners of New Zealand. Have they ever picked anything off their bedroom floor before, or has mum been doing it? They have to learn how to iron and wash.”

No-one is a flop at push-ups, but the PTIs want better. “From where I’m standing, it doesn’t look like you were trying very hard.”

He says it is not unknown to have a recruit who decides it is not for them. “If someone walks up in five minutes and says, they want to leave, it’s the Navy’s responsibility to release them. Up to this morning, it’s been the recruiters’ responsibility.” The first three weeks involve the Navy’s Lead Self programme, which inducts the recruits in the Navy’s core values. “They will learn the responsibilities of wearing the uniform,” says LT CDR Bloor. “This is not like putting on a pair of pants.” By week six, training becomes more directive, including weapon school and sea craft. Attending the attestation are the service padres, the ‘gold’ for the course. “They work closely with each intake, and deliver some of the instruction, but on a regular basis they are a touchpoint for the students – and the staff.” LT CDR Bloor says he could see the pride after shaking the recruits’ hands. “Society changes, but pride doesn’t change. The 45 that attested this morning are proud to be here, proud to join today as I was all those years ago. The onus is on us to provide them with challenges, because they want to do everything we did when we joined.” Ahead of the recruits on Attestation Day is two hours of fitness

A name badge slide off the chest of a recruit. He drops to retrieve it. “Don’t move! Don’t say sorry to me. Unless I ask a question, you have nothing to say.” SLT Wells says there should be no surprises. “The recruiters engage with them, and they are fitness-tested prior to joining. So in terms of what they are doing now, they are capable of passing the requirements before they get here.” LT Carkeek says it is not like the movies, where recruits are scrubbing floors with a toothbrush. “We train for a purpose,” he says. “If you are not going to be doing this at sea, we don’t train for it.” After lunch, back in coveralls, the recruits are formally welcomed onto Te Taua Moana marae as a light drizzle falls. With obvious pride, a female recruit puts her hand up to give a short speech in fluent te reo. This intake’s “Course Champion”, or sponsor, is Warrant Officer of the Navy, Steve Bourke. “Who’s apprehensive?” he asks. Only a few hands lift. “There should be 45 hands going up!” he says. “I’ve been doing this for the last 38 years; you are about to start paddling your waka. The journey is going to be exciting – you are going to make it exciting. We’re here to help you, talk you through this. Welcome, welcome, welcome, the journey is going to be fantastic.”

BASIC COMMON TRAINING

15

THE RIGHT REACTION By CDR Yvonne Gray

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ven as a member of the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team (and we tend to instigate these things a lot) whenever I hear these words spoken over the main broadcast, and the accompanying general alarm, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and I feel a rush of adrenalin. There is also an instinctive reaction with regards the donning of anti-flash and ensuring the area around me is secured for action.

“…Air Threat Warning Red, Air Threat Warning Red therefore Hands to Actions Stations! Hands to Action Stations! Set Damage Control State 1 Condition zulu…” This is not because I am a member of MOET but rather, it is because of muscle memory developed over years of exercising and conducting operations. Our challenge, as a Navy, is to ensure that everyone has a similar physiological reaction if Hands to Action Stations is piped – especially during operations. Why is this important? If an action becomes ‘second nature’ then you do not have to think about it while you are doing it and so this frees up the brain to focus on other (probably more important) things. Think about the first time you rode a bike or drove a car. You probably had to put every ounce of your concentration into ensuring you did not fall off or crunch the gears but after some practice you did not have to worry about those things so much. Conducting drills in ships is much the same, whether that be securing for action, conducting boundary search or engaging an incoming missile – it’s all about creating muscle memory and an eye for detail. In accordance with the concept of operations for the Protector Fleet is it unlikely that the ships will be put “in harm’s way” and so CANTERBURY, OPVs and IPVs tend not to practise being at Action. However, following the recent work up in TE KAHA it became clear to MOET that there were people in the Ship’s Company who, given their rate or rank, did not have the expected muscle memory when it came to being at Action, possibly as a result from spending their earlier career in Protector ships. So, here is MOET’s challenge to you. While it is acknowledged the ships of the Protector Class are unlikely to “go to Action” can the same be said of the people of the Protector Class? Is there any reason why HAWEA or WELLINGTON cannot have a day at Action including Action Messing? A little imagination and some enthusiasm might provide a great opportunity for ensuring no matter what ship we serve in, we are first and foremost, Warriors of the Sea.

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MOET

PARTNERS IN THE PACIFIC By Ensign Nick O’Leary

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s HMNZS WELLINGTON exited the Rangitoto Channel on July 18, a lot of our ship’s company would have been saying goodbye to our loved ones, our friends and the lifestyles they have established at home for the second time this year. The next chapter in WELLINGTON’s very busy 2016 is Op Calypso 16/02, a six-week operation up into the Southwest Pacific, visiting four countries and ranging from Auckland to beyond the equator. The main purpose of Op Calypso is assisting our Pacific partners in Resource Border Protection Operations. This essentially means patrolling the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of our partners, tracking down foreign fishing vessels and inspecting cargos for infringements, such as illegal equipment, unreported catches and keeping on the lookout for any other illegal behaviours. Throughout our patrols we have embarked fisheries officers and police officers from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Nauru. These officers participate in the planning for any boarding operations and accompany Wellington’s boarding teams for fishing vessel inspections. The benefits of working together with our partners in these operations are invaluable to both parties. The foreign fisheries officers receive boarding training into the way New Zealand does things, and their governments receive a lot of assistance policing their waters which would otherwise be unpatrolled

and ripe for exploitation by foreign fishing companies. In turn, we gain a lot of insight from them into how they operate in their countries, we receive assistance in conducting boarding operations and importantly to the crew, we get to have port visits throughout the trip, into countries that many people may never visit if not for this job. The first two weeks of Op Calypso were spent in the waters of Vanuatu. Throughout these weeks the ship had two port visits, one into Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu and one into Luganville, also known as Santo. Throughout this time numerous boardings were conducted, operating with the Royal Solomon Islands patrol vessel AUKI. The Ship’s Company were able to have some rest and respite and were given the opportunity to visit the many activities that Vanuatu has to offer. On completion of the visit into Luganville, WELLINGTON headed north into Solomon Islands waters to begin our patrols there. We spent another week at sea conducting boardings and transiting throughout all of the Solomon Islands northern waters. On completion a port visit into Honiara, located on Guadalcanal Island, awaited us. The majority of the crew had the weekend off and many took the opportunity for fishing, diving and to visit many of the memorials located on the island, dedicated to the fierce fighting that took place on the islands throughout World War Two between Japan and the Allies. Our visit happened to coincide with the 74th anniversary of the first landings onto Guadalcanal Island, by the US Marines in the Guadalcanal Campaign and the 74th anniversary of what is now known as the Naval Battle of Savo Island, which occurred off the coast of Guadalcanal. Many thousands of sailors and soldiers from both the Allies and Japan lost their lives in the battle, which is how Iron Bottom Sound earned its name. On departing Honiara, WELLINGTON stopped atop the final resting place of the original HMAS CANBERRA, an Australian vessel which was lost in the battle. A small ceremony was conducted on board by the Australian members of our ship’s company and was a poignant reminder of the losses suffered by ourselves and our closest allies in the Pacific War. At time of writing we now find ourselves on transit toward Nauru for our final week long fisheries patrol with a lot of the ship’s company’s attention on our next big event – the Crossing the Line ceremony. When crossing the Equator for the first time, members of the Ship’s Company are welcomed into ‘King Neptune’s Court’. It is also noteworthy WELLINGTON is the first OPV to cross the Equator. One final Port Visit in New Caledonia awaits us and then the four-day passage home in which we will be travelling in company with the FNS VENDEMIAIRE, a French Navy frigate based in New Caledonia.

Top of page: Preparing for boarding operations in the Solomon Islands. Above: A team gets ready to depart WELLINGTON. Opposite page: Australian crew members aboard WELLINGTON pay their respects to HMAS CANBERRA, sunk in World War Two. Pictured are LT Cicchini, LT Tucker, LWTR Snell, LMT Lord, LTCDR Kaio and CPOCSM Wheat. Below: HMNZS WELLINGTON working alongside Royal Solomon Islands patrol vessel AUKI.

For more on Op Calypso, see page 22.

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1. ACSS Anahera Herewini greets family as TE KAHA docks in Devonport. 2. The crew of HMNZS TE KAHA perform a haka as their ship comes alongside the wharf at Devonport. 3. ACWS Cody Burgess (left), ACWS Jesse Grace, SLT Nathan Atkinson, LT Geordie Fisher and POWTR Kylie Rains listen to questions from pupils at Peninsula Preschool in Wellington. 4. CDRE James Gilmour, commanding CTF176 at RIMPAC, casts his eye over an amphibious raid rehearsal at K-Bay in Hawaii. 5. TS TAMATOA’s “youngest cadet”, Noah Ray, 5, plays in the Petone foreshore. 6. A/CPOCSS Andre Taikato, manager of Te Taua

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our PEOPLE

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Moana Marae, talks to the class of BCT 16/02. 7. Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter alongside CDR Simon Griffiths on HMNZS TE MANA. 8. The ship’s company of HMNZS WELLINGTON, during Operation Calypso. 9. TS TAMATOA Leading Cadet Paul Matheson stands in the RHIB as his team keeps an eye on the sailboats during a public sailing day at Petone. 10. Navy personnel at rugby league practice, at the Devonport Naval Base sports grounds. 11. LT Darryl Ray is the flag bearer in TS TAMATOA’s charter parade in Petone. 12. LT Dany Rassam monitors progress as TE KAHA prepares to leave Pearl Harbour.

OUR PEOPLE

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A VISIBLE PRESENCE It’s always training, training and more training, whether you’re 10,000km into the Pacific or navigating the Marlborough Sounds. Navy Today editor Andrew Bonallack joined HMNZS TE MANA as she presented herself to the New Zealand public last month.

C

ommander Simon Griffiths, CO of HMNZS TE MANA, is pleased for his civilian guests as he greets them in the officers’ wardroom. The Auckland weather is flawless and the forecast for TE MANA’s journey to Wellington is excellent, he says. The guests, standing awkwardly among an assortment of overnight bags, nod happily. It is assuredly not a “cruise”, although the flat calm and sunshine in Waitemata Harbour gives that illusion to the guests. For the next two-and-a-half weeks, TE MANA, accompanied by HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, will be in sight of New Zealand’s coastline, visiting Timaru and Picton, and letting the public have a look over her. It is a theme born of the Navy’s 75th anniversary this year, and carrying on from TE MANA’s successful public day and charter parade in Tauranga in July. It’s also an opportunity for some dedicated training, says CDR Griffiths. “As a Navy, we are always training, regardless of where we are in the world,” he says. “We, the Navy, are using TE MANA as a focused resource to give some dedicated training, operating with ENDEAVOUR.” As the day progresses, this includes firing the main gun and smaller armaments, simulated mechanical difficulties, man overboard drills, simulated air attacks on both TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR, refuelling at sea practice and countless helm and navigation exercises, day and night. But while the ship’s company gets on with the job, CDR Griffiths considers the ship’s public appearances over the two weeks. It is not

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TE MANA TOURS NZ

Clockwise from top left: HMNZS TE MANA departs Waitemata Harbour. TE MANA’s crew perform a haka to welcome home sister ship TE KAHA from RIMPAC. SLT Laura Stapley shows guests around the engine compartments.

normally something to consider, when you run a ship that 80 to 90 per cent of the time is outside of New Zealand waters. TE MANA’s visit to Tauranga, its home port, was the first in three years. “Going back to Tauranga was cementing our relationship with the city. [This trip] we’re engaging with New Zealand public, opening to visitors, meeting a wide variety of local people. We’re a strategic military asset, almost all of what we do is outside the view of the public. It’s very rare we get to visit small ports, so it’s very cool we’re able to go down. We’re a maritime force, so it makes sense to go to these small, but very important, ports.” It turns out to make sense to Timaru, with the Timaru Herald later reporting around two thousand locals queued up for a chance to go aboard. “We’re showing you thing you wouldn’t normally see,” says CDR Griffiths. “We’re showing off our ship. We’re very proud of our ship, and very proud of what we do.”

“At school, you study and learn, but the military is more direct, to the point. At school, they teach you this much, expect you to remember 50 per cent for exams. But in the Navy, nothing they teach you should be wasted.”

MUST SETE O Shauna Bradley says she wanted aANCIEN ES N Tmidshipman E MANA RETUTR SUR A E R challenge inS life. E T V A W R AI It probablyDdoesSnot get more challenging than restarting her AR ON CJunior Officer training after being knocked down by a car at the Above: MID Shauna Bradley prepares to receive instructions as Assistant Officer of the Watch.

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long for the Auckland-Wellington section of the sea ride is Chief Petty Officer Cadet George Young, 17, from TS TAMATOA sea cadets.

MID Bradley and fellow midshipman Matthew Barnett are tested daily in ship’s navigation and manoeuvres, exchanging “leads” with tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR.

“This is a fantastic opportunity,” she says. bit “There’s just me and e was just a and back. ‘‘H arms, feet, cked.’’ d they as they can.” ed ... and sho us ive arr panick ce Matthew, so they are working as much lan bu am GH When the ’s shower. M CAVANA

ter woman in Les thing you wake n put the kind of said. man was flow ‘‘It’s not the morning,’’ he ly the ld Timaru wo with serious y r-o nda yea Su a 19A on tal quick St up to urch Hospi cked at how to Christch house fire on Church dous.’’ He was sho ren hor a ’s ‘‘It er spread. burns aft ence as a day morning. alth Board fire had described the experi going early yester Deer only thing District He said the Canterbury rush’’ and the in that lne n Amy Mi s condition ‘‘sort of his head was ‘‘Who’s ma wo kes spo through ed in a seriou ain rem to n woma were able room?’’ nkful they noise o was also last night. He was tha ld man, wh ve due to the A 21-year-o , was taken to Timaru escape the house ali s. rm fire d smoke ala the injuries an injured in the of the dog and and Lester praised th minor woman Hospital wi day. Both Deer ke in getting the ter released yes n Mike Deer, who wo g actions of the man sn’t for him, she wa ma lin and yel Timaru ety. ‘‘If it of screaming Deer said. the to saf , to the sound rning, has described e wouldn’t be here,’’ as they say mo on TV, and happen to on Sunday part of his hom ‘‘You see it going to discovered it’s he nk nt thi me ’t mo you don es. flam the in at m ed d. vor roo engulf you,’’ he sai ior station officer Tre eping in a Deer was sle h St house when he ines were Timaru sen Churc ng, four fire eng 9am, three front of his nd of crashi rton said by the sou scene at 5.4 uka. and ‘‘a Ka the s, to rm out was woken ala called from Tem king, smoke 5.30am. aru and one back of his dog bar to from Tim ws arrived to find the ing’’ at about ly’’, he lot of scream he jumped out of bed r Fire cre away merri Deer said the back doo use ‘‘blazing ho ned the ope d an engulfed tes to had nu investigate fire mi d. a d nty sai covere the crews twe re where he dis d deck, attached to It took fire d they we , an e out an 7am a sleepout put the fir spots after se. t , ho hou ple n the cou dow back of road. pening to find the the dam ed off iev ing rel had der condon He was the room, with police of the fire was still un lly stayed in who norma The cause escape. injuries, he investigation. ld have managed to fered burn uation cou sit the d Both had suf He sai the worst . said. way to the been worse had sustained were on the The woman When they of multiple calls about els es, he said. of the injuri k inside to get wet tow , they heard orted to the control fire rep n. ng ma He ran bac bei wo e the fir d bath for le ... the and ran a col to get her comfortab cent sort of room. t it was a ‘‘de ’’. ‘‘Just trying That mean see la la land.’’ s started to fire, plenty of people can sed extensive she was in dow win the cau en ich ‘‘That’s wh rted coming The fire, wh use, was not being when it sta the ho blast, that’s damage to Lester, who treated as suspicious. installed in the inside.’’ our, Grant ghb ken s were nei wo s rm o Deer’ s als Smoke ala occupied by the house, wa just before in the room d. lived behind ing’’, house but not re injured, police sai and scream o we wh by ‘‘yelling two to the next door 6am. o has lived ring to e Lester, wh wif his years, told SEE VIDEO up the driveDeer for 16 vice as he ran the fire ser ts way to help. Deer and the occupan n. He found the back law n injured on her who had bee woman had burns to He said the

Cadet CPO George Young gets hands-on during PT on the flight deck.

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As an Assistant Officer of the Watch, she could be four hours on, eight hours off, then four hours on again at night. “Then we’ve got seamanship evaluations to plan, briefs to give. We’re assisting the officers of the watch, maintaining the navigational safety of the ship.” MID Bradley particularly enjoys navigation. During the night watch, she and ENDEAVOUR calculate the speed and course requirements for each other, depending on who the lead ship is. “It’s hard, but it’s rewarding. Tonight it will be ENDEAVOUR telling us where to go.”

The Scots College prefect has brought a pile of school work with him, and probably should be thinking about his NCEA Level 3’s, but right now, it is all about Navy – and how soon he can start for real. CPO Cadet Young has been sent his offer of service for JOTC training next year, and says a recruiter set him up for the sea ride with TE MANA. “I jumped at the chance,” he says. CPO Cadet Young, who would like to specialise as a warfare officer, spent a lot of his ride on the bridge, watching how the crew and the ship operate. He joined sea cadets five years ago, about the same time he went on a sea ride on HMNZS WELLINGTON during the Navy’s 70th anniversary, when the fleet visited Wellington.

One of her nicest moments was being on an IPV and passing training He says it was the lifestyle of the Navy that attracted him. “It’s ship Spirit of New Zealand. “Seeing those 12- t0 14-year-olds, seeing the people.” He will be the first in his family to join the Navy, them jumping up and down at the sight of our Navy ship. Thatve,was a part of hisand says his parents are very supportive. He says it is difficult to find to ke wo r, abo ghbour 1 n Mike Dee (image supplied by nei tionma Caparu Tim terday e, inset es early yes real high point, seeing other people getting joy out ofSt hom seeing us.” Church ulfed in flam naged to get stay motivated at school, now that his Navy future is ahead of ma nt Lester), eng nts Gra ped by two occupa and were hel r morning. The the building arrived. Fou

s out of ency service worked to themselves emergwhat him. “I’ve got schoolwork I’m supposed to be doing, but I’m too She says friends are curious about her career. “Mostly they uka ter untilask aru and Tem Deer and Les ht) from Tim fire crews (rig fire. uish the ing ext excited to be on a ship. the food is like. I tell them I haven’t had a meal yet I wished was something else.” “I just want to get to sea.” AX NZ N BISSET/FAIRF

PHOTOS: JOH

The hardest thing, she says, is the change from civilian life. erald.co.nz timaruh

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cing, tonne-displa two The 3600 e of time Mana is on s were taking 118-metre Te navy’s fleet. Naval officer th Canter- ANZAC frigates in the Sou fer ng oyi of dif ent and clay in a range off and enj fishery ing skiing It was used including bury, includ d. activities, sai and piracy a he ctic son ng, tar GH oti lay NA sho Grant Fin suc- patrols near An LIAM CAVA der an Comm was said. p visipatrols, he blic open day e a navy shi said the pu nd people The last tim about two years two thousa there s frigate, cessful. More than the word go son ted Timaru wa said. The ships rd the navy lay ‘‘Right from son Fin queued to boa Timaru’s port on of people,’’ ago, Finlay art from the port at at Finlayson was a stream Te Mana, set to dep then nder Grant Picton and had were ker Comma Saturday. nifi- said. layson said it normally re 9.30am today for ps, navy tan n with a sig ly Fin ps we The two shi navy frigate Te tow shi a the s a gton. ly, on and and celebration y go Wellin to port recent higher population, it ira a good response the ple of the t Endeavour peo to d par As Histor tly rre tive’’ for welcome e Complete fog on can 1500 people visit, Fe ‘‘quite attrac k at. Mana, were al show, Th d Navy blanket of d nav lan ha loo ck a o Zea e thi als a w hav Ne rd under r was and e recruiters on boa of the Royal uld be showing at ng. said. nt of the tou Th wo inquiries, Friday morni visiting as part of on The focal poi , ‘‘something out of genuine (abridged), in Timaru They were reported a lot h gun niversary eatre Royal tinee ’s 75th an e, Project the five inc ry’’. People normally he said. the the Th 3-4, as well as a ma d an it the navy vis ina mm October e Pirates of n a great of the ord s progra Th bee on ’s ati en d. ‘‘It ebr ldr sai cel oy that, he show for chi n to the it,’’ he said. ra said enj e ship is often ope crews loved d to see the public Neptune. and vence. Th Ignus Ferrei went including what Pro d comedian It was goo Lieutenant en in port, atic unity to see New Zealan w would star in on Saturday public wh t of its diplom ve the opport men in the navy ha par the open day gate was ‘‘packed as Mark Hadlo as, fri overse n and wo ult actor me res . the ich ies well and the dines’’. wh ilit w. re we efits ponsib the sho sar up to res ly 16 on-duty personnel ship do, and the ben like a can of On people lined said. The About 2020 which was open from that, he Saturday. on board ship, . . board the d about 150 hel 0pm 4.3 ally and usu 30 uranga between 12. AX NZ p visited Ta N BISSET/FAIRF When the shi PHOTO: JOH 10 Puzzles acing 8 Weather/TV 11-16 Sport/R 6 Travel 9 World out Ab & t 4 Ou 7 Opinion 5 National

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TE MANA TOURS NZ

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BUSY MONTH FOR OTAGO July was a ‘full-on’ month for HMNZS OTAGO and her crew – with fisheries patrols, an official function, and ship visits from the Chief of Navy and Tongan royalty.

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he first half of Operation Calypso ended with the ship berthing in the Kingdom of Tonga on July 11. The operation assists our Pacific Island neighbours by embarking local fisheries officers and patrolling their exclusive economic zones. The Offshore Patrol Vessel’s ability to conduct boarding operations in higher sea states, with a larger effective range than the local patrol vessels, ensures that these Pacific Island nations can patrol to the edges of their exclusive economic zones. In the second half of the deployment, the focus switched from Pacific Island nations to international waters, or high seas pockets to the north of New Zealand. Here, OTAGO’s boarding team teamed up with fisheries officers from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and boarded a record 37 vessels to both the east and west of the Kermadec Islands.

Above: Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin, addresses the ship’s company.

Closing out the support to the CN during his visit to Tonga, a Clear Lower Deck was held on board, where the CN addressed the Ship’s Company. He talked about major events within the Navy such as the RNZN’s new ships, Operation Respect, and the future of Defence housing. The CN also recognised the hard work of LCH Thomas and LSTD Kirk during the Commanding Officers Luncheon, as well as CPOCSS Frankham, for his efforts in ensuring that OTAGO always had plenty of fishing vessels lined up to board − even those who were doing their best to avoid us. The successful port visit to Nuku’alofa came to an end, and OTAGO set sail for the high seas. After embarking MPI fisheries officers, the ship wasted no time in heading to international waters. We were eager to get back to boarding operations, and eager to eclipse the previous record of 21 boardings. Fortunately, we were quickly into a target-rich environment. We settled into an efficient boarding routine, which commenced at first light and continued to sunset. Whilst at times quite tiring, this routine ensured we could board up to six vessels a day. As a result of these boardings, a large number of minor breaches and a few major breaches of licence conditions were found. These breaches were reported back to the vessel’s flag states, which ordered the vessels out of the area and will now be investigating the breaches further. The boarding teams and MPI fisheries officers were certainly pleased that their work was having an immediate impact on ensuring the sustainability of the fish stocks in this area.

Above: A toast to the King of Tonga during the CO’s Luncheon.

However, before the ship sailed for the high seas, she hosted a few high-profile events onboard. An official function, attended by the Crown Prince and Princess of Tonga, the Prime Minister of Tonga, and other VIPs was held onboard. Guests were welcomed on board by New Zealand’s Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin, and HMNZS OTAGO’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Sorensen. After speeches from the New Zealand High Commissioner, the Tongan Prime Minister, the CO, and the CN, a performance from the ship’s Maori Cultural Group ended the evening’s formalities. The following day, His Royal Highness the King of Tonga was hosted on the bridge of OTAGO for a Commanding Officers Luncheon. With the CO, CN, and other guests at the table, the King and CN reminisced about their time as midshipmen under training. The two of them had served on HMNZS WAIKATO together.

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HMNZS OTAGO

Whilst the main focus of the operation has been boarding operations, when OTAGO was transiting between fishing vessel concentrations there was an occasional opportunity for flight deck sporties and Sunday sea routines, which ensured that there was a good balance of work and rest during a busy month. During the upcoming month, OTAGO will enjoy a well-earned period back in Auckland, and will shift her focus to aviation. With the plan to embark a Seasprite helicopter for the upcoming Raoul Island resupply, the ship will be going through SARC Aviation in the Hauraki Gulf. The last time there was a Seasprite embarked onboard OTAGO was in 2012, and hence a fair bit of preparation will be required. Returning the hangar into a space fit for a helicopter, crash on deck drills and aviation serials in the bridge simulator are all on the cards for the next few weeks to ensure we will be ready. All that occurring – whilst the engineers keep busy during an intense maintenance period – will keep us on our toes. The crew of OTAGO have worked hard during the deployment and are looking forward to some rest and recuperation upon return to New Zealand. After a long nine weeks, another successful Op Calypso comes to an end for HMNZS OTAGO.

OUR STORY IN SONG By Andrew Bonallack

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hen Neakiry Kivi was told she had made the finals of Operation Neptune’s school competition, she knew it was time to fire up the choir.

Neakiry, 16, a year 12 student at Wellington’s Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, is one of seven finalists in the Navy’s secondary school creative competition as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations in November. Competitors were asked to submit a proposed creative project based on the Navy’s themes of courage, commitment and comradeship, while also telling the Navy’s story, background and mission. Neakiry’s proposal was an unaccompanied choral piece of music in four parts, two soprano and two alto, with background narration. Now, as one of the finalists, she has to bring her idea to fruition, using the school’s 22-strong senior girls’ choir, and backed up by the encouragement of her music teacher, Marian Campbell. The choir will rehearse the composition, which will be filmed and recorded. Neakiry said their humanities teacher heard about the competition and emailed the concept around the school. The music student says it “looked like a really cool competition. I’ve done some compositions before, but not for a choir.” She says she was “quite surprised” to be chosen. “I’ve just been going full-on. Once I started composing it, I just kept going. You write something out, you scrap it, it’s an ongoing process.” Last month she told the Navy she had nearly completed it. “The next few weeks will be full-out practising it.” The composition is around four minutes long. “I’ve got the main idea, but the big picture isn’t there yet, just little elements of it. I said in my proposal I would have different elements in the song. One of those elements is sea shanties. Another is inspiration from the ocean.”

Above: Samuel Marsden Collegiate School student Neakiry Kivi in her school’s auditorium, where the senior choir will rehearse her entry for the Operation Neptune schools’ creative competition.

The other finalists: Laura Jackson – Kristin School, Auckland Short film of a Navy family focusing on the lifecycle of a Navy child’s life with a seagoing parent, utilising Naval Community support and eventually joining the Navy himself. Jacinta van der Linden – Kaitaia College, Northland A voiceover powerpoint presentation on the changing role of women in the RNZN.

An unusual aspect of the piece is having a narrator, “a person who stands alongside the choir”. Neakiry will handle the narrating. At those moments the choir will act as a “texture” in the background, she says.

Martin Greshoff – Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland

Neakiry is not sure if music is her future career but she had been doing it for so many years she does not want to stop.

Denby Gallagher – Campion College, Gisborne

She did not know much about the Navy to begin with, but has learnt more because she wants her song to tell the Navy’s story to those who want to learn. A lot of inspiration for her song’s words came when she and the other finalists visited the Devonport Naval Base, she says. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was a really fun trip, and I learnt so much. It was really cool seeing the facilities they have, the opportunities available for people. “It just looked like a really cool place overall.”

Classical piece of music for the RNZN Concert Band comprising three distinct but continuous movements.

A colourful painting on a piece of wood in the shape of an anchor. Encompasses the Core Values and “our roots, our history, our mission”. Ysabel Pomare – Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Raki Paewhenua, Auckland Composition of a waiata to portray a historical perspective of the RNZN. Jana Longney – Edgecumbe College, Whakatane A portable mural drawing or painting of a handprint to represent an open gesture of ‘thanks’ to the Navy. Encompasses “Our Navy, our story, our roots, our mission”.

NAVY VALUES IN SONG

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HISTORY IN PEN AND INK By Andrew Bonallack

LT ESMOND ATKINSON

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wo brothers, common in service and artistry, but poles apart in how they viewed life.

That’s the view of curator and historian Claire Clark, who is preparing an exhibition of pen and ink sketches of the “serious” LT Esmond Atkinson and the “comically funny” LT Harry Atkinson, who were both in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) during World War I. Mrs Clark is curating around 80 sketches from the Atkinson family’s private collection for Lower Hutt exhibition ‘Ahoy’ in November, intended to run alongside the Navy’s 75th anniversary celebrations. LT Harry Atkinson worked his way to England to join the RNVR, serving on an armed fishing boat in the North Sea and later on coastal patrol, submarine watch and minesweeping in the channel. His brother ‘Es’ followed eight months later, serving on seaplane carrier RIVIERA, then light cruiser CONSTANCE, where he was later to observe – and paint – the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. Mrs Clark says it is a matter of pride and privilege to work with such rare material. “Naval historians from all over the word would love to get their hands on material like this.” Many images, mainly notepaper-sized, are a meticulous record of ships observed during their service, with dates, names and locations recorded. But LT Harry Atkinson went further than his serious brother, with drawings that suggest what life was like in the Naval Reserve. They are frequently ironical, often to the point of satire. Interestingly, Mrs Clark has a chance to turn the tables on his irony. On one sketch, of Motor Launch 93 on coastal patrol, LT Atkinson has added a note, “Not fit for publication”, as the drawing suggests the problematic boat – and his drawing – is not up to scratch. A century later, the sheer artistry of his work overrules his humorous caveat. It will now be published. “It is magnificent,” she says. She thinks Harold’s work is “full of the joy of life” because he

From the top: Esmond Atkinson, light battlecruiser HMS GLORIOUS with a kite balloon. Esmond Atkinson HMS BOLTON, June 27, 1917. Esmond Atkinson, light cruisers in Dover, Caroline class on left, Chatham class on right. April 9, 1917.

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WWI NAVAL ART

Above: Esmond Atkinson, HMS SWIFT, July 12, 1917.

LT HARRY ATKINSON

From the top left: Official forms used for art. A Harry Atkinson caricature titled Up Another! (with apology).

“What grabs you is the resourcefulness of these guys, they grabbed anything they could.” nearly lost his life a number of times. “He clearly had many close encounters. “He doesn’t personalise it in a bad way. He’s alive to tell the tale, and sketch it, too.” In contrast, Mrs Clark describes LT Esmond Atkinson as “very, very serious”. His work is mainly highly detailed side or near-side profiles of the ships he saw during his service. His sketches are almost perfect in proportion and detail, as Mrs Clark demonstrates by laying a sillouette of destroyer HMS SWIFT, from Jane’s Fighting Ships 1919, alongside LT Atkinson’s sketch of SWIFT. What is notable is he sketched the SWIFT while it was passing by. “The accuracy is staggering. He’s remarkable. Well, actually he’s a damn sight better than remarkable.” His eye for detail would serve him well after the war, as an official artist for the Dominion Museum’s biological section. Mrs Clark says people, used to the idea of official wartime artworks, are often surprised by how small the brother’s drawings are.

From the top right : Blacking down rigging, Feb 1916. Harry Atkinson, Jellicoe’s right hand, July 1916. Harry Atkinson, fleet sweeper sweeping, 1916 at Wick.

They used random pieces of paper, including lined notepaper, cardboard or even official forms, and often drawings were done on both sides. Turn over one ship’s sketch, and it’s a naval form for filling out secret communications. “A4 didn’t exist in those days,” says Mrs Clark. “What grabs you is the resourcefulness of these guys, they grabbed anything they could.”

WWI NAVAL ART

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From our Veterans

We may never meet again By Jack Donnelly

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unerals and reunions are so different, yet similar. They bring us together in sadness or in happiness. They are very meaningful to those matelots entering their twilight years, and online communication now makes it easier to “spread the word”. Through our various ex-Royal New Zealand Navy websites, we learn who is sick in hospital or at home, and of those who have “crossed the bar”. We can say our farewells, and express our support and our sorrows by posting comments.

“The clock of life is wound but once and no one has the power to tell just when the hands will stop at late or early hour. So place no faith in tomorrow, for the clock may then be still.” – Robert H Smith

One Facebook group, “Crossed the Bar/Sick Bay Rangers”, has been established by Bungy Williams (an ex-warrant officer). The site is dedicated to advising where our former colleagues are either sick or have passed on. This group provides a space for shipmates to come together online – and the posts have, at times, clearly been appreciated by the families. Notices of reunions are also promulgated online. Many of us may not be able to attend, but viewing the photos from those occasions allows us to see our old shipmates and friends enjoying each other’s company again. With the aid of computers, the world is now a much smaller place. “Their numbers grow less with each passing day as the final muster begins, there’s nothing to lose, all have paid their dues and they’ll sail with shipmates again.” – Josh Groban

Naval funerals A sailor’s farewell can be steeped in tradition and symbolism, or it can be a simple, reverential funeral. But certain things set “te heremana tangihanga” (the sailor’s funeral) – the most sacred of all naval ceremonies – apart from civilian funerals.

Above: The funeral for Admiral Lincoln Tempero, Chief of Naval Staff, in 1987 at HMNZS PHILOMEL. He was buried at sea from frigate HMNZS WELLINGTON.

When one of our Navy family dies, word spreads throughout the world, and the preparations and organising begins. The Naval and military funeral protocols that can be utilised include: the firing

“Hey Nobby, what’s your number, Jack?” “Gee Spud, you don’t look a year over 80!” “Pincher, remember when you did the ‘dance of the flamers’?” “Bogie, you’re still a ‘nonee’.” Typical matelots’ sense of humour, words of endearment? No, it’s just the way we speak. A reunion can be between two or 200 mates and varies: from unofficial ones, involving a few old shipmates getting together in a pub, club or RSA, to official reunions, which can be for ships, funerals, intakes, branches or anniversaries.

Naval reunions 26

FUNERAL PROTOCOL

A matelots’ reunion is very different to a normal “get together”. It is, first and foremost, a “family” reunion, bringing together lifelong friends from generations past. Once again, Navy tradition plays its part. Normally it is “up spirits” with a compulsory “tot” of rum to begin proceedings, and any official announcements are preceded by the sound of a ship’s bell or a bosun’s call.

From our Veterans

Clockwise from top left: Draft going to Wakakura 1939. A photo of a Minesweeper Breeze Crew, date unknown. Note the black cat on the cap of one of the sailors. Trainees at HMS Victory don their gas masks for a class photo.

Te Taua Moana Naval Marae has brought another dimension to our funerals. Many of our sailors who have “passed” lie in state for a day before returning to their own marae or hometown. Powhiri and poroporoake are always carried out. Others will have the complete funeral on the marae. We are so blessed to have a naval chapel and marae within the Naval Base for such occasions.

of three volleys, lining the street for the departure of the hearse, the funeral gun carriage (senior officers only), giving three cheers, the ringing of eight bells, piping of the “still” and “carry on” at the appropriate time, and the haka poroporoake (farewell haka). Tributes are always full of humour, dits (stories) and jokes about the deceased. We matelots have come to expect lots of laughter and reminiscing, waiata (songs) and tears when farewelling one of our own.

Reunions are not only about meeting up again, but also about remembering. During the reunion, the matelots will acknowledge those who could not be in attendance, and those who have “crossed the bar”. The Anzac Ode, Sailors Ode or a relevant speech, followed by a toast, is always in order. One of the most poignant parts of any reunion or funeral is the table that is set for our dead – reminding us that they, too, will be dining with us. Each article on the table has a significant meaning. Sailors will remind each other that they are ‘ODs’ (a matelot who joined after them), and they will speak in “Jack speak”– a lingo known only to them, which sounds ‘double dutch’ to civilians. “Taking the Mickey”, sharing jokes and spinning dits is all part of a reunion. They speak with such fondness of days of long ago when they were fit, young sailors who sailed the many seas, visited exotic places and exercised with Commonwealth warships. Whenever a reunion is held in Auckland, there will always be time

If a sailor dies overseas, or in New Zealand, their shipmates and friends support the family and the deceased by their attendance and aroha (love). The same can be said for a tupapaku (the body of the deceased), who dies overseas and is welcomed home with a powhiri. We have always been, and will always be a “family” who stays together, and cares for each other, so that when our time comes for us to depart this world, we know we will be farewelled by sailors with tradition, precision military drill, cultural protocol, laughter, song and sadness. It doesn’t come any better.

to visit their old “homes” (ships/establishments), the RNZN Museum, or one of our modern warships, to see how today’s Navy has developed, and how modern sailors live. The “church parade” on the Sunday begins with a short march to the service. The clock is turned back once again as the GI’s voice bellows out the orders, the chests are puffed, heads up, shoulders back, the medals begin to clang, and they are once again on the march with absent friends and the comrades who have “passed” beside them all the way. They are, once more, together again. Let us never forget and always remember that as matelots and veterans there will always be: • Those of us who are still on watch, • Those of us who stood watch, and • Those of us who are eternally on watch. God bless you all. Lest we forget.

FUNERAL PROTOCOL

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SUPPORTING OUR FORCE

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he next step in a series of support processes for members of the NZ Defence Force was delivered at the beginning of July, with the stand-up of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the appointment of regionally-based sexual assault prevention and response advisors (SAPRAs). The SAPRAs will provide victim-focused care to Defence personnel harmed by inappropriate sexual behaviour. The SAPRAs, who have a range of skills from across the New Zealand sexual violence sector, will operate in a victim-centric manner, to deliver best-practice support to those harmed, and their supporters.

and Unrestricted Disclosure response systems. These response systems provide ways to report inappropriate and harmful sexual behaviour, which best supports the victim/survivor and their wishes. Full information about the SART, the SAPRAs and their contact details, and the Restricted and Unrestricted Disclosure response systems are available on the ILP at http://www.nzdf.dixs.mil.nz/sart and on the internet at http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/sart

The SAPRAs will also be responsible for supporting commanders and managers, and will administer the new Restricted Disclosure

Restricted disclosure = No Investigation

If you or anyone you know needs help urgently, call 111 or you can contact a SAPRA on 0800 693 324. Overseas, phone 0064 4 496 0410.

Who can I go to for help?

What is Restricted Disclosure? Only a victim/survivor can make Restricted Disclosures. With Restricted Disclosure you will receive the help and support you need. The information you give to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Advisor (SAPRA) will not be passed on to anyone*, and no investigation will take place.

Talk to a SAPRA and tell them you want to make a Restricted Disclosure.

*There are some circumstances when a disclosure will not be able to be Restricted. These include: • Where keeping the information in confidence would present a serious risk to the life or safety of you or another person. • If an investigation is already underway. • Where the incident is already in the public domain.

Restricted disclosure to SAPRA

Support

Information

Confidential Report

Statistical Report

Unrestricted Disclosure made to SAPRA or ANY Military Personnel

Support

Information

Command Notification

Investigation

Unrestricted disclosure = Investigation

Statistical Report

What is Unrestricted Disclosure?

Who can I go to for help?

Victims/survivors or witnesses can make Unrestricted Disclosures. With Unrestricted Disclosure you will receive the help and support you need. The information will be held sensitively, shared ONLY with those who need to know, and a full investigation will take place.

Talk to any member of the NZDF, including your Regional SAPRA, commander/manager, someone you trust in the NZDF, a Chaplain, any medical person, or NZDF MP and tell them you want to make a report and have it investigated.

MeET OUR SAPRAS (Sexual Assault Prevention Response Advisors)

Kerrin Humphrey National Region

Melanie Calvesbert Wellington Region

operation respect

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SAPRAS

Sarah-Jane Macmillan Southern Region

Hala Nasr Northern Region

Angelique Walker Central Region

CREATING A SAFER DEFENCE FORCE W

orking together to manage safety risks is key to creating healthier and safer work environments; and finding a successful way to do so is a priority for the New Zealand Defence Force. “Ensuring that we have robust practices to engage with our people and allow them to participate in health and safety matters will strengthen our safety culture and help prevent future harm,” says Director of Safety, Susan D’Ath-Weston. “We know that in many cases our experts on what risks we face as an organisation are those on the frontline – our operational heartbeat.” To ensure we are able to freely communicate safety concerns, up and down the command chain, the Directorate of Safety is developing, with services and portfolios, a worker participation model that can be used across the Defence Force for our Armed Forces and civilians. The model will act as a guide for workgroups and will be adjustable to suit the unique structures across NZDF; to ensure functionality when our people are deployed it will be based on our chain of command or management.

The main purpose of the model will be to provide ways for you to raise health and safety concerns, be part of making decisions related to health and safety, and offer suggestions for improving health and safety. “It’s important that we actively encourage our people to participate in health and safety matters,” says Ms D’Ath-Weston, “and that we ensure every person within the NZDF is able to speak up, without the fear of being reprimanded or any other repercussions.” A crucial link between our people and their leaders will be trained unit safety and health advisors (USHA) who will represent members of their workgroup and act as safety champions. “Improving our worker involvement in health and safety will not only make us more aware of the safety risks our people face, but help strengthen relationships and give us insight into what’s really happening across the Force,” says Ms D’Ath-Weston. Above: Crew in protective clothing aboard HMNZS TE MANA take control of a line during a Refueling At Sea (RAS) exercise with HMNZS ENDEAVOUR.

You wouldn’t feel safe if your mate was driving the car, and THEY’D taken something “recreational” at the party you’ve just left...

“Would you feel comfortable sleeping in your bunk, if you thought those responsible for the safety of the ship had been affected by drugs?” says CAPT Walker. “We fundamentally rely on team work.

That same kind of person could be driving a bus, a taxi – or even a ship.

There is also a welfare aspect, he says. “There’s been certain people in the Navy who have lost their roles, their jobs. Alcohol, drugs – you could lose your security clearance, affect your health, marriages falling apart. We’ve invested in an individual, and we don’t want to lose them.”

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n August the Chief of Navy issued WAD 11/16, “Substance Misuse in the Navy”, directing all commanding officers to implement 100 per cent urinalysis testing of Navy personnel within three months, with the same testing regime in the following three months. The Navy will be annually drug-tested every 12 months afterwards, says the Despatch. “I do not accept the argument that increased drug use reflects societal norms,” the Despatch reads. “[It] is a serious breach of trust which affects your shipmates and compromises the safety of our ships and our Navy.” The focus is safety in the workplace, which the Chief of Navy has a statutory obligation to provide, says ACN (Personnel and Training) CAPT Richard Walker.

“We give people weapons, explosives. You trust in your mate, in your team alongside you, and your ability to perform is based on the team. And you are only as strong as your weakest team member.”

He said the two three-month testing regimes will provide a baseline for drug use in the Navy, with the annual testing as solid policy and a deterrence factor. It may encourage people to clean up their act, he says. “We try and help people, we can provide assistance, but they have got to take responsibility for their own decisions. “The idea isn’t to go out there and get rid of people. We’re making the Navy a safer place, and looking after our people.” Personnel are likely to see Customs drug dogs around more. “There’s a bit of a cost for this. But I only have to save one sailor, and I have paid for it, many times over.”

SAfety AND HEALTH

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CADETS CELEBRATE 75 YEARS Sea Cadet unit TS TAMATOA celebrated the birthplace of Wellington sea cadets 75 years ago with a weekend of activities and a charter parade in Petone last month. By Andrew Bonallack

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ith drums beating, colours flying and swords drawn, TAMATOA’s sea cadets, combined with TS AMOKURA cadets and backed up by No. 22 Sqn (City of Upper Hutt) Air Training Corps and City of Upper Hutt Cadet Unit on drums, marched from Cuba St to TS TAMATOA along The Esplanade on a Sunday morning. TS TAMATOA’s charter is a “Freedom of the City” privilege, allowing the unit’s members the right to march in Lower Hutt without hindrance. Past members of TS TAMATOA joined the march, which was last performed in 1991, the year the unit received its charter. Former TAMATOA cadet, LT CDR Peet Hoeksma, XO of HMNZS OLPHERT, was parade commander, with Cadet Forces LT Darryl Ray bearing AMOKURA’s ensign, owing to the fragile state of TAMATOA’s flag. The traditional “confrontation” by NZ Police was dispensed with, but Hutt City mayor Ray Wallace was there in ceremonial robes and chains to give his approval of the march, and declare it a “fantastic event, an impressive sight. “Seventy-five years ago the Wellington Sea Cadets Unit was founded right here on the Petone foreshore, in 1941,” he says. As the unit grew, TS AMOKURA (Evans Bay) and TS TAUPO (Porirua) were formed, and the Petone unit named itself TAMATOA. “This was the very first unit formed. With that goes great pride, great honour, and also great responsibility. “For the past 75 years you have been helping to develop responsible young citizens who are valued in their community, [creating] safe, enjoyable, challenging opportunities for young people. “You can see the values of trust, honesty, determination and selfdiscipline in each and every one of you here. They are all the making

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SEA CADETS TURN 75

Left: The 75th anniversary cake is cut by former TAMATOA cadet LT Bob Horton (195167) and TAMATOA's Commanding Officer SLT Helen Ray.

of a positive person in our community.” Cadet units fostered “an awareness and appreciation of the armed forces in the community,” he says. TAMATOA Commanding Officer SLT Helen Ray says TAMATOA still exists today despite the competition from electronic devices. “There still seems to be a pool of young people who are interested in learning new skills, and having fun along the way. “Combine that with adults who freely give up their time to teach our young people these skills. She acknowledged the presence of RADM Jack Steer (rtd), former Chief of Navy, and WINGCO Bruce Sinclair, Assistant Commandant of New Zealand Cadet Forces. A light lunch was put on for guests after the parade was fallen out. The previous day TAMATOA put on a sailing day for cadets and members of the public. RADM Steer, who attended both days and helped MC the parade formalities, said there could easily be a mayor or a chief of Navy among the cadets one day. “They are the future leaders of our country. “We put a bit of effort in, a support committee, the parents behind the scenes – selfless people, doing it for the kids.”

CASHING IN FOR A HOME

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raig Lochrie has one piece of advice for his colleagues in the quest to get on the property ladder: save, save, save.

Today, the hard work of himself and his partner, Janine, means builders will soon be starting work on their first home in Morrinsville. LSCS Lochrie saw the writing on the wall with regards to Navy rental accommodation in Auckland. He also wanted to give his son an uninterrupted home life during his high school years. He can’t speak highly enough of the programmes offered within the Force Financial Hub. These include the Defence Force Superannuation Scheme, now closed to new members, and the New Zealand Defence Force KiwiSaver Scheme. LSCS Lochrie, 33, started a Superannuation plan 11 years ago, while his partner was on a KiwiSaver scheme. The pair have used their respective super schemes to get their house deposit. “My oldest son starts high school next year, and we didn’t want to pull him out half way through year 11. I wasn’t going to put his education at risk.” The pair found they could not afford Auckland, and headed as far as Hamilton. “We always spoke about building our own home, and how good that would be.” The pair met up with Platinum Homes in Cambridge, who said they had plots available in Morrinsville.

LSCS Craig Lochrie with his partner Janine and sons Hamish and Peter.

He says his advice of “save, save, save” is crucial because you have got to have plenty of cash to start a house purchase. “Don’t touch it. Make sure you do your research into what KiwiSaver can do.” Mercer, the KiwiSaver provider for the New Zealand Defence Force, were “fantastic” to deal with. “They were great. They accelerated the process for us. Using a lawyer for advice is important” he says. The pair are now looking forward to their Morrinsville life, starting in March. He hopes his story helps others in the Navy make their first home a reality as well. For more information go to the Defence Force intranet and click on Force Financial Hub under the ‘How we work’ menu.

LOOKING AFTER OUR OWN

With the New Zealand Defence Force KiwiSaver Scheme you will get the extra benefits of:

$3,000 in retention payments* 16 x $250 prizes to be won each month Free or discounted financial advice

JOIN TODAY

WWW.JOINKIWISAVER.CO.NZ/NZDF OR CALL US TO REQUEST A PACK 0800 333 787 *These payments apply to NZDF members only. Further terms and conditions are available in the HR Toolkit at force4families.nzdf.mil.nz

NEWS

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“The children do a lot of teamwork, working together with it. It gives the children a chance to build.”

NAVY’S GIFT TO PRESCHOOL By Andrew Bonallack

Six Naval personnel, a large group of excited children and around 600kg of hawser rope made for an entertaining afternoon at a preschool in Strathmore, Wellington last month.

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hrough a parenting connection, the Navy offered Peninsula Community Preschool around 100m of the thick mooring rope, which was now nautically unusable after it had snapped during a storm while tied to HMNZS CANTERBURY at Devonport. The rope was held in storage at a warehouse, waiting on a backfill on the next Hercules flight to Wellington, where it was trucked to the preschool and unloaded. Last month, six naval personnel from Wellington visited the preschool as a working bee to help the teachers and children cut up and arrange the rope around the preschool’s play area and gardens. Head Teacher Linda Fiso asked LT Gordie Fisher, SLT Nathan Atkinson, POWTR Kylie Rains, LS Dan Walker, ACWS Jesse Grace and ACWS Cody Burgess to arrange about 30m as a decorative border for a garden, complete with koru ends. Using a saw and a lot of effort, other sections of the rope were cut up and made into climbing obstacles and bridges, or used to border pathways. She says the preschool were “rapt” to receive the rope, saying it suits the preschool’s philosophy of hands-on, natural learning, in a natural environment. The rope itself has been an educational experience, with children working out how to move it effectively, seeing the green sea growth fade away, or simply making it a game for balancing on.

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mcc ROPElog DONATION

Top of page: Evette (centre) reacts to the weight of the rope as she and her classmates pick up a section.

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

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chance encounter in Wellington led to an international meeting on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in TimorLeste. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime for CDR Karen Ward. Superintendent Brett Callander of the New Zealand Police was hosting the Head of Community Policing with the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) when, on Poppy Day this year he happened to meet CDR Ward on Lambton Quay. During the brief encounter, Superintendent Callander spoke of his involvement with the Timor-Leste Community Policing Programme (TLCPP) in Timor-Leste, Commander Ward told him of her involvement as the WPS lead for Pacific Partnership 2016 (PP16) and that she would be visiting Timor-Leste in the near future. Several emails later, a meeting was facilitated with Assistant Superintendent Umberlina Soares (Chief of Gender, PNTL) and Chief Inspector Daria Ximenes (National Head of the Vulnerable Persons Unit) and the PP16 WPS Team during the Pacific Partnership 2016 mission stop to Timor-Leste in June. The meeting provided an opportunity to share information about women’s peace, security and equality and, for the PP16 WPS team, to gain an understanding of the roles for women in the PNTL and some of the challenges faced by women in Timor Leste.

Top of page: LT Geordie Fisher (left), ACWS Cody Burgess and ACWS Jesse Grace cut up sections of hawser. Roman is the designated photographer as LT Geordie Fisher works the hacksaw. Opposite page: ACWS Jesse Grace tests the strength of the rope while ACWS Cody Burgess finishes off the knot. Sierra and her friends try balancing on the hawser. SLT Nathan Atkinson (left) and ACWS Jesse Grace work the line over the preschool’s fence.

“The children do a lot of teamwork, working together with it. It gives the children a chance to build. It’s quite reasonable to lift. They make korus with it, big circles.” The rope is valuable because it encourages children to invent, rather than being presented with a finished structure. “If you’ve got something irregular, the brain has to think about it.” Manager and Teacher Linda Sutherland says the children went “wow” when the rope arrived in a truck. “We all went ‘wow’ as well. “We’re just delighted with it.” ACWS Burgess told the children and teachers the rope had come from HMNZS CANTERBURY. He had been on the CANTERBURY at the time. “We have six ropes that hold the ship alongside,” he says. “A big storm came, this rope got really tight, and it broke in half.” “Once that happened, we put more ropes out, to keep the ship safe.”

Gender Equality in the PNTL is an issue being addressed in an effort to give women equal pay and opportunity. Few women are promoted to senior ranks in Timor-Leste, which is being addressed in part through a recruiting campaign “Feto Mos Bele” – translated as “Women Also Can”. The PNTL training programme is a very challenging six-month course where all of the training standards are the same for men and women and this is viewed as achieving equality. Unfortunately, few women get through the course (the latest police recruit course had 270 male recruits and 7 females with none of the females graduating, which illustrates the challenge being faced). The meeting was an added bonus for the WPS team who were also involved in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Symposium in Timor Leste providing a Gender perspective as part of the management of disasters. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The NZDF contingent joins over 900 military and civilian personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States on board USNS Mercy, and will visit, in addition to Timor Leste, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. Top of page: LT Lisa Steel, RAN; SQLDR Amanda Norris, RAAF; Chief Inspector Daria Ximenes; Assistant Superintendent Umberlina Soares; CDR Karen Ward.

our people NEWS

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Left: AMED Lauren Meyer (left), LMED Caitlin Williams, ACWS Sarah Freeman and reservist AMA Alexandra Mullin are on their bikes to help a sick youngster.

LMED Caitlin Williams, ACWS Sarah Freeman, AMED Lauren Meyer and reservist AMA Alexandra Mullin will begin their 3-to 4-week journey at Cape Reinga on 11 December. They will finish in early January in Bluff.

Cross-country cycle will help change a life Four Navy personnel will cycle 1,700km down the length of New Zealand in December to raise money for a three-year-old boy, Oscar. Oscar has cerebral palsy and requires specialist surgery to walk; the surgery will cost $100,000 and will take place in September, in England.

When they arrive in Wellington, the cyclists have arranged to meet Oscar and his family. By then he will be rehabilitating from his surgery. “We would like to appeal to all Naval personnel to help us to change this boy’s life, giving him a future he otherwise could never have hoped for. Walking is such a simple daily task, but for Oscar it’s a dream,” says LMED Williams. To donate, please visit www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ cycle4oscar. Or, if you can assist with accommodation or food, it would be much appreciated, contact ACWS Sarah Freeman at [email protected] To follow their journey on Facebook, ‘like’ Cycle NZ 4 Oscar.

NAVY’S DOUBLE WIN

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t was a Navy double for basketball at the Interservices Basketball competition at Ohakea last month, with the men’s and women’s team winning their tournaments.

CPOWTA Meleloto Tioeli says the feat was all the more impressive because it was the first time the Navy women’s team had won in over 35 years. “Also, I think it is the first time ever that both teams have won at the same time and, even more impressive, away from home.” She says neither team had a dedicated coach or manager appointed at the start. “Credit to those who stepped up and took charge,” she says. “Players became managers and coaches and the cohesiveness, maturity and conduct by all Navy personnel is to be commended.”

Front from left, AMEDIC Liana Wellington, OWTR Taiwa Tamaki, OWTR Maraea Maihi, OWTR Paige Smith. Back from left, CPOWTR Meleloto Tioeli, LYDI Bridget Perry, OCSS Elenoa Tabudravu, ASTD Meriana Hokianga, ASTD Deena Puketapu, ASTD Shannon Goldsworthy, ASTD Anya Ruri.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS T he New Zealand Defence Force is calling for nominations for the 2017 Invictus Games, following on from the successful 2016 event in Orlando.

The Games are an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, intended to highlight a determination to overcome personal restrictions and lead lives of excellence. His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales created the event, which started in 2014, and remains the patron. Events include athletics, archery, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, lifting, swimming, wheelchair tennis, golf and sitting volleyball. Above: Prince Harry congratulates CPO Amy Baynes, who received the silver medal for cycling time trial.

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SPORTS

Criteria for entry are personnel who have had a significant life-changing event, through injury

or illness (mental or physical), while serving in uniform within NZDF. The games will be held in Toronto, Canada, with a selection camp, for potential candidates, at Burnham Military Camp between September 10 and 14. An additional three training camps will follow. Competitors will need to be able to travel internationally, willing to participate in multiple sporting events, can self-manage medications and has a medical clearance. REGISTRATION Please register your interest, or any queries, to [email protected]

Crossing the Bar It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Captain Richard Lea, RNZN (rtd), W011842. CAPT Lea passed away peacefully on July 29, 2016 aged 87. He was an Engineering Officer in the RNZN from November 1946 until February 1979. He served on HM Ships ANSON, THUNDERER, BERMUDA and NEREIDE; HMNZ Ships BELLONA, BLACK PRINCE, PUKAKI and OTAGO; as well as in various shore postings both in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom. His final posting was as Captain Superintendent of HMNZ Dockyard (1972 – 79). Our thoughts and prayers are with his children Lynne, John, Sue and Elizabeth, and their families.

CAPTAIN Richard Lea, RNZN (rtd) 1929 – 2016

New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) Annual Forum Where: Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Dates: 16-17 November 2016 Theme: Shaping the next 75 years – Investing in New Zealand’s Future Security Attending will be senior members of the NZ Defence Force, Ministry of Defence, Industry, Government and International Delegations. This year’s forum is timed to coincide with the 75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Please plan early to attend and be part of this important event. Further details: www.nzdia.co.nz Email: [email protected] Long Time No Sea Reunion Auckland May 26 to 28 2017, venue TBA We invite all ex-Navy and serving members, including partners to attend and continue the traditions born in Alice Springs, 2005. Further details: Ken Johnston, Secretary, [email protected] and Kel Kershaw, Chairman, [email protected] RNZN Reunion of May 1967 Did you join the RNZN in 1967? A 50th reunion is being planned and we want to hear from you. Further details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1653471588198016/ or search for RNZN-May 1967 or telephone New Zealand 0272083661. BCT Intake 1/1972 All BCT’s joining the RNZN in January 1972 are welcome to attend our 45th reunion celebration on Saturday 21st January 2017. Venue to be confirmed but probably Mt Mauganui/Tauranga. Please contact: Barry King [email protected] for further details. MAY 1977 Intake 40 year Reunion Auckland May 26 to 28 2017, venue TBA All BCTs, WRNZNs, instructors and divisional officers who enlisted in or were involved with this 1977 intake 40 years ago. Please contact either Norm Harding [email protected] or John Leefe [email protected]

Call for stories Researcher Gerry Wright is undertaking research on cruisers BLACK PRINCE, BELLONA and ROYALIST and would like to interview veterans who served on those ships. Contact: [email protected]

Jackspeak—Navy slang Cross the bar: Pass away, leave life’s harbour. Electric string: Insulated cable. Gas and gaiters: Nickname for the gunnery branch. Taken from Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby. Gusting: Nearly/about. Jockey: Describes a seaman on the bridge − someone having a ride while others provide the horse power. Liver-in: An officer or rating who lives on board during the week, even if they have a home elsewhere. Morning prayers: The CO’s first meeting of the day. Personal admin: Time spent attending to own problems during working hours. Relaxed rig: Informal clothing. Wait one: Hold on for a minute (which can easily mean 15 minutes).

ourNOTICES people

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PROUDLY PRESENTS

Two theatrical shows written by Gregory Cooper, playwright for MAMIL, That Bloody Women, Streaker, and The Complete History of New Zealand (Abridged)

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE

royal new zealand navy

d e g d i r Ab

Celeb

rating 75 years

COMMANDER CLAIRE AND

Chil Pan dren’s tom ime

the pirates of provence

Whangarei, Auckland, Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Blenheim, Nelson, Greymouth, Westport, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill.

See nznavy75.co.nz

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We would like to thank our Operation NEPTUNE sponsors for their kindness and generosity, in particular, our Presenting Partner, Westpac