Navy sailor escaping the cold of Winter

Local Dunedin man Konrad Cook is escaping the cold winter months by spending 38 days in the South Pacific.

Leading Seaman Combat Specialist (LSCS) Konrad Cook is on board HMNZS OTAGO for its inaugural deployment to the South Pacific with Rarotonga the next port of call.

“Visiting Rarotonga is the highlight of the trip for me. I am looking forward to going ashore and have a good look around. Another highlight being able to escape the winter months back home.”

LSCS Cook is no stranger to the Pacific, having visited a number of islands in 2009 while on board HMNZS CANTERBURY and he has visited Samoa twice.

As a Leading Seaman Combat Specialist, Cook is specialised in the training and firing of small arms on board.

“My job on the ship is varied. I can be part of a boarding team going across to other vessels,” said LSCS Cook.

“I also specialise in seamanship onboard which includes re-fuelling at sea, passing stores between ships via light jackstay and towing other ships or being towed ourselves.”

“I have many other duties I do on board such as ships maintenance, bridge watchkeeping and driving the ships RHIBS for man overboards, boardings and personnel transfers.”

OTAGO left Auckland in the middle of May; three weeks after LSCS Cook joined the ship. During the deployment the ship has spent the past 3 weeks in the Pacific undertaking maritime security tasks, fisheries patrols, and supporting diplomatic tasks.

The ship has visited Raoul Island, Tonga, Samoa twice and the Tokelau Islands before its visit to Rarotonga then to Niue.

Note:
HMNZS OTAGO is affiliated with the Otago and Southland regions: her home ports are Dunedin and Invercargill/Bluff