Cool to be home for HMNZS Te Mana crew

By ALAN PERROTT and NZPA

There were no jibes about Auckland's chilly spring weather from the crew of HMNZS Te Mana upon their welcome return from the Middle East.

The frigate yesterday completed an eight-month tour of duty in the Gulf of Oman, where temperatures reached 51C and the water was so warm it struggled to cool the ship's engines.

Te Mana's captain, Commander Andrew Watts, said the ship and crew had worked at the "absolute upper limits ... we were challenged".

The extreme heat meant time limits were set for crew working in enclosed spaces and those on upper decks had to be constantly supervised in case sailors succumbed to dehydration.

Despite the hardship, the crew was so successful in its role supporting Operation Enduring Freedom by stopping and boarding vessels that an American officer tried to keep Te Mana's boarding party on board his ship.

Commander Watts said his boarding team were acknowledged as the most able and professional in the coalition.

"It's what I call the black jersey syndrome.

"When we are out there we are very conscious we are representing our country and we have got to put our best foot forward. Our people all buy into that. They are all extremely committed."

He said the American request was diplomatically declined.

During more than four months sailing within the area of operation, the ship investigated 380 ships and boarded 38.

It was the third deployment by a New Zealand naval ship to the Gulf of Oman.

HMNZS Te Kaha began the operation in November 2002 and was relieved by Te Mana, which has patrolled the region twice over the past year.