Advice on survey ship "not ignored”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32971, 18 July 1972, Page 9

Advice on survey ship "not ignored”

Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. The Government had not I ignored advice on the need! for the urgent replacement of a survey ship, or chosen to| keep H.M.N.Z.S. Lachlan in service irrespective of cost, said the Minister of Defence (Mr McCready). The allegations were made by the general secretary of the Merchant Service Guild (Captain J. W. Dickinson) in a report to the guild’s annual meeting. “Because of the considerable expenditure involved in replacing H.M.N.Z.S. Lachlan,” said Mr McCready, "the Government would be failing in its duty if it did not make the most searching investigation into the various options available.” Mr McCready said that these options included converting existing ships such as the Moana Roa as a replacement survey ship, obtaining a survey ship on loan or by purchase from another country, or building a

While this investigation was being made, the Lachlan, through careful maintenance, had been kept in service and, as was shown in the 1972 report of the Ministry of Defence, had continued the survey work so vital to New Zealand. Between 1961 and 1971, refitting costs had amounted to $ 1.25 m and “we have got good value for the extra years of service obtained,” said Mr McCready. “The Government is fully aware that the Lachlan should be replaced as soon as possible,” said the Minister. “The examination of the Moana Roa as a replacement vessel has been held up by an industrial dispute and it has not been possible to proceed with the required sea [trials before a final decision on suitability can be made.” The Navy had also received [a feasibility study and preliminary design data for a replacement survey ship from a firm of marine consultants. The cost of such a new survey vessel was likely to be imore than slom. ' Mr McCready said that it [had also been established that there were no survey (ships available, either for hire or purchase, on the world market