Frigate on watch for al Qaeda

By WAYNE THOMPSON

The crew of the Anzac frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has been boarding up to three ships a day in the Gulf of Oman while on the lookout for suspected al Qaeda terrorists.

The frigate is part of an international taskforce of warships patrolling the Gulf over Christmas and the New Year.

Navy spokesman Jo Bunce said Te Kaha was developing a database of all ships travelling in the busy Strait of Hormuz, which links the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

Staff were also looking for suspicious people travelling by ship.

Eight to 10 seamen in one of Te Kaha's fast inflatable boats were boarding vessels ranging from dhows - traditional Arab vessels - to container ships and tankers.

Mr Bunce said the crews were specially trained to board vessels at sea by rope ladder and inspect cargoes and ships' papers.

So far, the crews had reported no trouble in getting co-operation during boardings.

Mr Bunce said the boardings required a good deal of effort by the frigate's comparatively small crew of 162.

Warships from seven countries are in the taskforce, which is under the command of a Canadian Navy commodore.

Te Kaha, under Commander John Martin, is part of New Zealand's ongoing contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom.

The frigate is due to return home for maintenance late next month, when it will be relieved by its sister Anzac frigate, Te Mana, for a three-month stint.