Navy takes over survey ship

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 13

Navy takes over survey ship

PA Auckland The Tarapunga, the Royal New Zealand Js’avy’s new $1.5 million survey vessel, has been commissioned for service at Devonport. In the brief ceremony the 26m vessel was ushered formally into the Navy, and not a moment too soon, for the officers and men who served in the ageing motor launches previously used for surveying. In the old hydrographic launch, also named Tarapunga, there were just three wash basins for nine men, compared with showers in the latest version.

Tarapunga Mark I had a diesel-powered stove, one refrigerator-and salt water laundry facilities.

Its glistening 1980 namesake boasts a thermowave oven, refrigerator and deep freezer, a laundry, and a recreation space. The new vessel is also packed with complex electronic gear, including two echo sounders with a depth capability of 1400 metres, and a high-scan sonar which can be towed astern to give an accurate picture of the sea bed. The ship’s captain, Lieuten a n t-Commander R. Gillbanks — whose last command was the earlier Tarapunga — ' hoped to begin his first-survey next month, near the approaches to Napier. It will be another step in the improving of New Zealand’s coastal maps. For Commander Gillbanks, who had been navigating a desk for the last few years, the new assignment was a welcome change — “I can’t wait to get out to sea,” he said. Another survey vessel, the Takapu, .is being built , and the Navy hopes to . take delivery of it later this year. Both vessels will be used on permanent survey work,