New Zealand commissions new hydrographic vessel

The HMNZS Manawanui (A 09). Photo c/o RNZN.

The Royal News Zealand Navy (RNZN) commissioned its new hydrographic and diving support ship, the HMNZS Manawanui (A 09).

The commissioning ceremony was held on 7 June 2019 at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leading the event.

The ship is not brand new, and was formerly a Norway-based offshore support vessel  supporting offshore oil and gas industry and was first commissioning in 2003 as the MV Edda Fonn.

It was then procured by the New Zealand government under a NZ$103 million (US$67.3 million) deal to fulfill operational gaps in the RNZN's diving support and maritime survey capability left by the retirement of the hydrographic ship HMNZS Resolution in 2012, and the diving tender HMNZS Manawanui in 2018.

It was then fitted out in Denmark according to RNZN requirements, before sailing to New Zealand.

The ship is 84.7 meters long, an overall beam of 18 meters, draught of 6.3 meters, displacement of 5,700 tons. It is powered by four diesel-electric engines capable of propelling the ship to a maximum speed of 13 knots.

It is equipped with a 100-ton salvage crane, a diving chamber and a helicopter flight deck.

[1] Jane's Defence Weekly
[2] Navy Recognition