Lyttelton firm wins diving ship refit

Press, 7 October 1988, Page 4

Lyttelton firm wins diving ship refit

By

DAVE WILSON

A $750,000 contract to refit H.M.N.Z.S. Manawanui, a diving support vesel, has been awarded to the Lyttelton Engineering Company, Ltd. The successful tenderer for the eight weeks contract was announced by the Ministry of Defence yesterday. Lyttelton Engineering, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cable Price Downer, has previously done repairs for the Navy and refitted H.M.N.Z.S. Kiwi, an inshore patrol craft. A Navy spokesman, Lieutentant Lawrence Tye, said the refit would bring the 911-tonne Manawanui up to full naval diving specifications, and enable the operational diving team to perform at sea.

The Manawanui was formerly the North Sea diving support vessel Star Perseus and was bought by the Royal New Zealand Navy earlier this year, arriving in New Zealand waters in June.

Lieutenant Tye said the refit was planned as part of the project when the ship was selected for naval service. He said the refit would enhance the capabilities of the Auckland-based operational diving ream. When refitted, the Manwanui would have a top speed Knnn o ' 7 - knots ’ a ran § e of more than bUUO miles and carry a crew of 24. Cable Price Downer’s defence spokesman, Mr Bruce McLean, said the rent contract was significant for the group. Cable Price Downer has made a long-term commitment to defence work which we hope will flow through to the proposed Anzac frigate contract,” he said. , of the Manwanui will begin later this month. It involves mechanical servicing and repair, platework fabriation and painting, shipwright and electrical work. Engineering will complete thne Pr °l e^ t with its own resources and those of Canterbury sub-contractors.