Navy's newest ship passes Antarctic test

The Navy's newest offshore patrol vessel and its crew experienced all Antarctica could throw at them during the past three weeks and passed with flying colours, the navy says.

HMNZS Wellington and its crew successfully completed a full set of sea trials in the lower Southern Ocean and the western Ross Sea. Now, for the first time in 40 years, the Royal New Zealand Navy can operate two of its ships in Antarctic waters.

Wellington will return from the deployment and arrive in Dunedin on Thursday morning.

"The trials have helped determine the ship's capabilities and limitations, and have allowed us to become familiar with the dynamics of the Ross Sea area," said commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Simon Griffiths.

"The trials also prove that the ship can conduct small boat operations, can land and operate personnel along the Antarctic coastline and can conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations throughout the Ross Dependency."

This new capability could now be developed further to allow the Navy to work alongside other government agencies to conduct various surveillance and support operations in Antarctic waters.

During the sea trials Wellington was involved in a search and rescue for the yacht Berserk, missing with three Norwegian explorers aboard.

"We were hit by the most intense storm I have ever experienced at sea," said Lt Cdr Griffiths.

"The ship could not initially respond to the distress call of the Berserk due to the heavy weather conditions but once we were able to, we headed to the last reported position of the distress signal."

The ship searched the area until a further deterioration of the weather prevented the ship from carrying on. There was no sign of the yacht or its crew members.

- NZPA