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Four new ships for Navy.

A Whangarei company has signed a contract to build four ships for the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. Each ship will be 27 metres long and displace 110 tonnes. The $10.4 million contract has been signed by representatives of the Whangerei, Engineering and Construction Company and the Secretary of Defence, Mr D. B. G. McLean. The steel-hulled ships, expected to be completed by early 1985, are . similar in design to two inshore survey craft and a diving tender built for the Royal New .Zealand Navy by the same company. The four new ships will be modified to suit the requirements of the Naval reserve, and will carry five officers and 13 ratings. . Two diesel engines will give the ships a Speed of 12 knots. As well as their training role they will also be suit-' able for resource protection, and search and rescue duties. The wooden-hulled vessels at present in service with the reserve divisions were built during World War 11. They are subject to limitations regarding 1 accompaniment and must travel to Auckland for annual maintenance. For this reason defence-sources believe that the first of the new ships may be brought to the South Island; :.. to H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus . , in Christchurch or to R.M.N.Z.S. Toroa in Dunedin.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19820213.2.16

Bibliographic details

Press, 13 February 1982, Page 2

Word Count
213

Four new ships for Navy. Press, 13 February 1982, Page 2

Four new ships for Navy. Press, 13 February 1982, Page 2