Navy ships homeward bound

After a four month overseas deployment the 231 naval personnel onboard Warship, HMNZS TE MANA and Replenishment Tanker, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, will arrive home to be reunited with their family and friends at the Devonport Naval Base at 10:00 am on Saturday 4 July 2009.

Gun Salute - HMNZS TE MANA will fire an 11 gun salute at approx 0940 am before she approaches the Devonport Naval Base – HMNZS PHILOMEL will reply with a 7 gun salute fired from the Promenade of the Devonport Naval Base as the Maritime Component Commander welcomes both ships home.

Both ships departed the Devonport Naval Base on 1 April to conduct an operational deployment to China, South East Asia and Australia to support defence diplomacy, coalition building and regional engagement activities.

Commanding Officer of HMNZS TE MANA, Commander Blair Gerritsen says, (as the Commander of the Task Force and on behalf of both ships), “Over the last three months TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR have travelled a long way to both new places like Qingdao in China and more familiar territory such as Singapore and Malaysia.

The Task Group has participated in the PLA(N) 60th Anniversary Fleet Review, supported a range of NZ diplomatic objectives plus participated in a Defence Expo and three international military exercises at sea. Wherever we have gone we have been warmly greeted and our presence has been well received, especially given the small size of our Navy and distance we have come.

Our sailors and officers have been fine ambassadors for New Zealand and the RNZN wherever we have gone and at a personal level I’m sure they have all returned home with some great stories to share with friends and family.”

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

There are limited spaces onboard both HMNZS TE MANA and HMNZS ENDEAVOUR for media to embark for the short voyage into the Devonport Naval Base. Uplift point is at Murrays Bay Wharf at 7:30 am – registrations of interest will close at 3 pm on Friday 3 July 2009.

Interesting facts from both ships over the last four months:

HMNZS TE MANA
* 95 days away from home.
* 18359 Nautical Miles travelled
* 18 Promotions
* 3700 litres of milk
* 282 tins of Baked Beans and Spaghetti
* 50760 meals
* 9 ports visited
* 75.7hrs flown by Seasprite
* 800 kg Rags used
* Eggs – Over 3000 dozen (approx 36000+)
* Potatoes – over 2500kgs
* Bread – over 2000 loaves
* Biscuits - over 600 pkts
* Marmite/vegemite – over 100 jars
* 14082 cans of soft drink consumed
* 257 Moro/Moro Gold and 330 Mars Bars
* 256 Cadbury Black Forest Chocolate Bars
* 2400 rolls of Toilet Paper
* 253 Chocolate Fish
* Band-Aids: 52 boxes (2600)
* Seasick Tablets: 180 tabs
* Seasick Patches: 74 patches
* 2700 Rubbish Bags used
* 1800 Panadol tablets (including panadeine)

HMNZS ENDEAVOUR
Crew – 53
Nautical Miles Steamed: 17,371
Fuel Transfers/Replenishment at Sea: 13
Promotions: 4
Purchased from the ships canteen - 4,992 cans of soft drink and 3,014 bars of chocolate Consumed through the ships galley:
Milk: 1,058 L
Eggs: 12,960
Steaks: 1,512
Weetbix: 2376
Vegetables (excluding Potatoes): 2.15 Tonnes
Potatoes: 1,860 kg
Ice Cream: 164 L
Medical – 248 band-aids, 480 panadol tablets and 240 seasick tablets

ENDS

The New Zealand Defence Force defends New Zealand, and supports New Zealand’s wider security interests.

For further information and registration of interest to embark onboard the ships for the voyage into the Naval Base please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Fleissner, Media Adviser - Navy, 021 244 0638.

Particulars

HMNZS TE MANA – F111
Length: 118 metres
Displacement: 3,600 tonnes
Speed : 27+ knots
Complement: 178 Officers and ratings (25 officers/153 sailors)
Commanding Officer: Commander Blair Gerritsen (Nelson)
Executive Officer: Lieutenant Commander Jon Beadesmoore (Warkworth)
Homeport: Tauranga

HMNZS ENDEAVOUR A11
Length: 138 m
Displacement: 7300 tonnes
Speed: 14 knots
Complement: 53 (Officers and Ratings)
Commanding Officer: Commander David Toms (Auckland)
Executive Officer: Lieutenant Commander Sandra Walker (Auckland)
Homeport: New Plymouth