HMNZS Resolution heads back to work

Facing another weekend at sea surveying in Hawke's Bay, the ship’s company of HMNZS RESOLUTION reflect on a well-earned break taken alongside in Gisborne last weekend. HMNZS RESOLUTION, the Navy’s Hydrographic Survey vessel, was joined in her home port of Gisborne by Navy In Shore Patrol Craft, HMNZS WAKAKURA from 5-8 October. The home port visit had been eagerly anticipated and was also programmed to provide a Navy presence in support of Te Ūnga Mai.

With RESOLUTION being named after one of Captain Cook’s vessels and Gisborne being RESOLUTION’s home port, the visit had special significance. Ship’s company’s of WAKAKURA and RESOLUTION participated in the memorial church service at the Cook memorial, joined a Powhiri at Te Pohu o Rawiri Marae and later attended an evening of presentations at the marae.

The Gisborne RSA also hosted a Navy Day parade during the weekend which was a great opportunity to strengthen ties between those currently serving in the Defence Forces and those that have created a proud Service heritage.

During the weekend the opportunity was also taken to present the HMNZS RESOLUTION and HMNZS BLACKPOOL scholarship awards. The RESOLUTION award recognises a young potential leader by enabling the selected recipient to attend a 10 day voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand whilst the BLACKPOOL scholarship recognises demonstrated leadership qualities by offering employment courtesy of the Gisborne District Council during school holidays.

The RESOLUTION scholarship includes $500 donated personally by members of RESOLUTION’s ship’s company with the remaining funding made possible by the Gisborne District Council. This year’s recipients Karl Johnson (RESOLUTION recipient from Campion College) and Mena Walker (BLACKPOOL recipient from Ngata Memorial College) also had the opportunity to visit RESOLUTION at sea.

As well as embarking scholarship winners and local students from Wairoa for a visit by boat to the ship at sea prior to berthing (including breakfast onboard), an Open Day was held onboard RESOLUTION on Saturday with approximately 400 visitors passing through the Ship. Events onboard included guided tours of everywhere from engineering spaces to the bridge and even enabled the children big and small to have a go with the fire-fighting equipment.

Commander Murray Tuffin, Commanding Officer of HMNZS RESOLUTION stated that “the opportunity for Naval Vessels to visit their home ports is always cherished. It is important to maintain the long-established bond between maritime communities and their Navy. The public interest and support that RESOLUTION receives in Gisborne is especially gratifying and is a bond that RESOLUTION looks forward to strengthening in the future. The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all onboard HMNZS RESOLUTION, we thank Gisborne for the ongoing support and look forward to RESOLUTION’s next ‘arrival’ in Gisborne”