HMNZS Wakakura in Devonport
HMNZS Wakakura in Devonport
Class overview
NameMoa
Operators Royal New Zealand Navy
Succeeded byProtector-class IPV
In commission1983-2009
Completed7
Active0
Retired7
General characteristics
TypePatrol boat
Displacement91.5 tons standard; 105 tons full load
Length27 metres (89 ft)
Beam6.1 metres (20 ft)
Draught2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in)
PropulsionTwo Cummins diesels (710 hp) Twin shafts
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km; 1,200 mi)
Complement18: 5 Officers: 3 Senior Rates: 10 Ratings
Sensors and
processing systems
Navigation Radar Racal Decca 916 I Band
Armament1 x 12.7mm MG
Aviation facilitiesNone
NotesFour ships previously fitted with side scan sonar

The Moa-class patrol boat was a class of patrol boats built between 1978 and 1985 for the Royal New Zealand Navy by the Whangarei Engineering and Construction Company. They were based on an Australian boat design.

Vessels of the class

Altogether there were seven vessels in the class[1]

Name Commissioned Decommissioned
HMNZS Kahu (A04) 17 May 1988[2] 30 October 2009[2]
HMNZS Tarapunga 8 June 2000[3]
HMNZS Takapu 8 June 2000[3]
HMNZS Moa (P3553) 28 November 1983 23 January 2007
HMNZS Kiwi (P3554) 2 September 1984 11 December 2007[4][5]
HMNZS Wakakura (P3555) 26 March 1985 11 December 2007[4][5]
HMNZS Hinau (P3556) 4 October 1985 23 January 2007

The lead vessel, Kahu, was initially named HMNZS Manawanui from 28 May 1979 to 17 May 1988.[2] She was modified so she would function as a diving tender. After the commissioning of the dedicated Diving Support Tender HMNZS Manawanui (A09) she remained in service (as the Kahu) attached to the Royal New Zealand Naval College as the basic seamanship and navigation training vessel.

The next two vessels, Tarapunga and Takapu, were modified with their superstructure accommodation increased so they could function as inshore survey vessels. These were both decommissioned in the year 2000.

The last four vessels functioned as inshore patrol vessels for the Naval Volunteer Reserve. From 1994 these were modified to conduct mine countermeasures route surveying using side-scan sonar. This was used on several occasions for search-and-rescue or transport investigations. In 2005, three vessels were relocated to Auckland to fill the training gap left by the decommissioning of HMNZS Canterbury. Kiwi relocated to Auckland during 2006. On relocating, the vessels' side scan sonars were removed.

With the introduction of the Project Protector ships, Moa, Kiwi, Wakakura and Hinau were replaced by four Protector-class inshore patrol vessels during 2007 and 2008. Kahu remained in service for seamanship and Officer of the Watch training until 2009.

HMNZS Kiwi in Devonport

References

  1. "RNZN - Inshore Patrol Craft". RNZN Official Website. Accessed April 17, 2006.
  2. 1 2 3 "Final farewell visits for "Little ship that could"". New Zealand Defence Force. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  3. 1 2 Pryce, Michael (2000). "Nautical News: "Takapu" and "Tarapunga"". New Zealand Marine News. 49 (2): 84.
  4. 1 2 "Final flags fly for Navy vessels". The New Zealand Herald. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  5. 1 2 'Final Act for Inshore Battleships, 'Wellington Dominion Post, 29 November 2007, p.A6
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