Too exciting to stomach

The Rotoiti's colour camouflaged it against the grey sky on its maiden voyage. Photo / Richard Robinson

Stepping on board HMNZS Rotoiti, the pride and the excitement behind the first full voyage of the Navy's newest addition was immediately obvious.

Greeted by Lieutenant Grant Judson, we were given a tour of the vessel, which looked and smelled brand new. We met the proud but tired sailors who had spent two hard weeks preparing the ship for the sailing.

The vessel will be used with three other Inshore Patrol vessels to guard our waters - in most cases by assisting customs and the Ministry of Fisheries by inspecting visiting ships to ensure they not carrying drugs and that are complying with New Zealand laws.

The excitement of the historic journey grew - until about 20 minutes into the five-hour trip when, as warned, the water became quite rough as we passed the Whangarei Heads.

As someone who has spent plenty of time in rough seas and has never become unwell, I was unconcerned, simply keen to see the spectacular sights of the Northland coastline.

But, seated alongside another sick reporter in the back of the vessel's pilot area, behind the 13 staff and extras including Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Chief Rear Admiral David Ledson, I saw only the inside of a bag.

The ship which, thank goodness, goes more than twice as fast and is much more stable than its predecessors in such weather, ran at 23 knots in swells of up to 4m, with winds gusting at times in excess of 40 knots.

Part of what made the trip so good - and it actually was - was the support from the crew, who had clearly been there at some stage themselves.

Even experienced sailors, including the medic on board and other Navy staff, became unwell.

One sailor said later that even for Navy sailing it was "very, very rough".

Those with stauncher stomachs included Dr Mapp.

He said the new ship represented a new beginning for the Navy and for the $500 million Project Protector, which will see seven new ships, including the Rotoiti, added to the fleet.

The project has come under fire for delays caused by design problems with the $170 million vessel Canterbury which Dr Mapp hopes to have rectified within one year.

HMNZS ROTOITI
* Displacement (Weight): 340 tonnes.
* Length: 55m.
* Beam (Width): 9m.
* Speed: 25 knots.
* 3000 nautical miles.
* Total capacity: 20 staff plus 16 extras.
* Cost: $35 million.
* Commanding officer: Lieutenant Alistair McHaffie.
* Tasks:Performing inshore patrols of New Zealand waters assisting customs, police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation.
* The Rotoiti will be joined by the Hawea, Pukaki and Taupo over the next six weeks.