KEY POINTS:
Equipment troubles have kept the Navy's newest ship alongside for 65 of the 160 days it was programmed to be at sea since it was delivered, Defence Minister Phil Goff has revealed.
The multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury was commissioned last year but Mr Goff said since delivery "equipment issues" meant it could not go to sea for more than 40 percent of its programme.
Most of the issues were related to the ship's sea boat problems, Mr Goff said in response to questions under the Official Information Act.
On its maiden voyage around New Zealand, the 8800-tonne ship was in heavy seas in the Bay of Plenty in July last year when it lost one of its two inflatable sea boats. The ship had two boats, in alcoves on either side of the ship and four or five metres above the water line.
One of the boats, estimated to be worth more than $200,000 was written off and the other was badly damaged.
The navy and Tenix, the company which built the ship, were installing doors over the alcoves to protect them from heavy seas.
Mr Goff was asked how much the navy had spent rectifying problems and design issues.
"I am advised that the total cost of repairs, alterations or remedial work on HMNZS Canterbury cannot be finalised until the ship is fully introduced into service and all outstanding warranty issues are resolved," he said.
He also said the cost to the Government and the cost to Tenix had not been finalised.
He would not say what other issues had yet to be resolved between the navy and Tenix because it could be prejudicial to Tenix and could prejudice negotiations between the navy and Tenix.
Earlier this year the navy said it was putting greater emphasis on basic seamanship after the death of a sailor.
Able Seaman Byron Solomon, 22, drowned when he was caught under one of the ship's inflatable boats which capsized after it detached without warning from the ship.
An inquiry found design problems with the system for lowering the boat.
Last year Mr Goff ordered an inquiry into the ship over safety concerns, including the drowning of Able Seaman Solomon.
- NZPA
