A newly launched service using a self-propelled barge that was promoted as a game changer in New Zealand’s coastal shipping ran into problems just weeks after it launched. The Manahau, a 321-foot (98-meter) barge with a crew of 11 ran aground on the northwest shore of New Zealand’s South Island during a storm around midnight on September 1. Officials fear it will be days before the vessel can be refloated and, in the meantime, it has become a local spectacle.
The 2006-built barge which has a capacity of 7,000 tonnes arrived in New Zealand in July from Indonesia where it had undergone an extensive refit. The work included overhauling the engines, azimuth drive shafts, and bow thrusters, as well as new electronics, navigation equipment, accommodations, electrical wiring, and steel plates. The vessel which is registered in the South Pacific nation of Niue, was brought up to the certification standards of RINA Class.
(Deon Swiggs, Regional Councillor on Facebook)
The Buller District in New Zealand reported the grounding with local officials saying the vessel was not loaded and was holding offshore due to recent storms. New Zealand had experienced several days of bad weather and overnight from Saturday to Sunday, there were squally thunderstorms and winds.
When it arrived at Westport in mid-August, the vessel’s operator WMS (Westland Mineral Sands) said crews would be “doing a few crossings of the bar” to ensure familiarity with the local conditions before starting shipping operations. On August 17, Manahau completed its first shipment of mineral sands from Westport to Nelson. The company reported it carried several thousand tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate which was being shipped to customers in Asia.
“Coastal shipping of bulk commodities on this scale hasn’t existed in New Zealand and our mineral sands is the cornerstone cargo that has made this investment possible,” said Ray Mudgway, WMS Group managing director. “We’ve invested heavily to ensure the vessel and operation is world-class and a game changer for New Zealand.”
The company highlighted that Manahau was a versatile vessel that would provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to road or rail transport for bulk material. Specifically, it provides a new capability to access smaller regional ports and rivers, “a capacity no other vessel in New Zealand could achieve,” said WMS. It will transport aggregate, construction sand, and hard rock resources.
Manahau made its first delivery on August 17 opening a new coastal shipping service (WMS)
Maritime New Zealand responded to the grounding and is taking the lead in coordinating the efforts. On Sunday, September 1, they reported the effort was to stabilize the barge. Crews were digging on the beach to create anchor points to “lock the vessel in place.” Local officials said the stern would possibly be floating at high tide while noting it is broadside to the waves.
Following the grounding, the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) expressed concerns over the fact that the barge was crewed by foreign seafarers and sailed under a foreign flag. “Vessels such as the Manahau operating in New Zealand’s unique and challenging maritime environment should be crewed by experienced New Zealand seafarers,” said Carl Findlay, MUNZ National Secretary.
Maritime NZ said plans would be developed in the coming days on how best to remove the vessel from the beach. WMS also said that specialized tugs were being brought in for the operation.
The two ‘Lake’ class cutters, formerly known as HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, were used by the Royal New Zealand Navy for a decade from 2009 to 2019. They will replace the since scrapped Naval Service Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV) LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, which were originally part of the UK’s Royal Navy Hong Kong Squadron.
Now the Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) twins are of the P70 class and renamed as LÉ Aoibhinn (P71) and LÉ Gobnait (P72), though they are much smaller than the P60-type Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) quartet. Such as leadship, LÉ George Bernard Shaw, and LÉ James Joyce, they only need a crew of varying 20-24 to operate them. That is about half of what the P60 class vessels require.
Both P70’s areas of patrol will be focused in the Irish Sea on the east and southeast coasts, as the IPV’s are too small to operate in Atlantic weather conditions.
The role that the Department of Defence has tasked them with is to conduct out fishery patrols and customs checks in the Irish Sea, primarily as a result of Britain having left the European Union.
More from the Irish Examiner on the commissioning ceremony.
For the first time, two female divers have graduated into the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Clearance Diving trade.
02 September, 2024
Lieutenant Bethany Ward and Able Diver Petra Dye-Hutchinson were among 10 personnel to complete the five-month course, which provides training in military diving equipment and techniques, mine countermeasure, underwater maintenance and battle damage repair, demolitions, maritime explosive ordnance disposal and search techniques.
“A number of females have completed the Defence Divers Course over the years but for a variety of reason none have ever taken the next step to becoming full-time clearance divers,” says Commander Trevor Leslie, Commanding Officer HMNZS Matataua, the RNZN’s littoral warfare unit.
“The significance of Lieutenant Ward and Able Diver Dye-Hutchinson’s achievements is considerable, but it’s now business as usual for these two divers as they undertake consolidation training and deploy on operations with their shipmates at HMNZS Matataua.”
Able Diver Dye-Hutchinson joined the New Zealand Army in 2015 and became an emergency responder, posted to Burnham, Waiouru and Linton military camps, but after starting the Defence divers course the Aucklander ‘took the leap’ to join the Navy.
“My firemaster at the time had given me information about the dive course when I expressed my love for the sea. Years passed and then there was an opportunity for me to go on the course. I’d never done a dive before, but by half way through the course I was just loving it,” says 28-year-old Able Diver Dye-Hutchinson.
Lieutenant Bethany Ward (left), Able Diver Petra Dye-Hutchinson (right) and Navy Clearance Diver training at Devonport Naval Base (middle).
Originally from Plymouth in England, Lieutenant Ward already had a taste of Navy life having served in the Royal Navy, and then completing an exchange with the RNZN as a watchkeeper on HMNZS Canterbury.
“I really enjoyed the experience here, so joined last year. My navy base in the UK was in Devonport and now I’m in Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.
“I wanted to be a diver in the Navy since I was 16. I saw the divers training in the UK and asked, ‘are girls allowed to do that?’ They were like ‘yep, we have female divers’,” says the 26-year-old.
Both divers say the trade has many challenges, especially when working in a marine environment.
“We have long days and are put in uncomfortable situations. A lot of the time we don’t know what’s coming next, especially dealing with tide and weather changes. You really have to go with the elements.”
“But I love how versatile the trade is. I like the fact it’s a community of people working to really high professional standards, the variety of day-to-day work and that it’s a challenge physically,” Lieutenant Ward said.
Able Diver Dye-Hutchinson said that even though there were challenges, the rewards were many.
“The best thing about learning something that’s hard, is you feel like a child in that moment, then all of a sudden something clicks and you get it right. Especially underwater, it’s the moment in the team when it all comes together and you solve the problem. Then things that were really difficult become second nature,” she said.
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced Commodore Garin Golding, Brigadier Rose King and Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb as the chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force respectively.
28 August, 2024
“These accomplished leaders are the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) most senior officers in their service, bringing a wealth of experience and strategic insight and being dedicated to serving our country,” Ms Collins says.
“The Government is committed to ensuring the NZDF is well-led and well-prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex global security environment.
“I look forward to working closely with them and advancing the Government’s commitment to strengthening New Zealand’s security and contributing to global peace and stability.”
The service chiefs will command their service while reporting to the Chief of Defence Force and advising the Minister of Defence. They are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence.
All three have been appointed for three years from 27 August. Commodore Golding will be promoted to Rear Admiral and Brigadier King to Major General. Air Vice-Marshal Webb, who has been Chief of Air Force since last year, will retain his current rank.
The NZDF leadership change is completed by Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies’ appointments of Commodore Mathew Williams as Vice Chief of Defence Force and Brigadier Robert Krushka as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.
“I welcome these appointments and look forward to working with my senior leadership team over the next three years,” Air Marshal Davies says.
Commodore Williams takes up his new role on 27 August and Brigadier Krushka on 30 August. Their ranks will change to Rear Admiral and Major General respectively with their promotions.
Biographies
Chief of Navy Commodore Garin Golding
Commodore Golding is currently the New Zealand Defence Force’s Maritime Component Commander, a role he has held since 2021.
He was Director Maritime Domain from 2020-2021 and Deputy Chief of Navy (Strategy and Engagement) in 2019. Commodore Golding was the Commander, Deployable Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, from 2016-2019.
Between 2013 and 2016 he was the Project Manager, Littoral Operations Capability (ship replacement project) and from 2012-2013 he was Inspector General (Maritime). From 2009 to 2012 Commodore Golding was Department Head, Joint Training Coordination.
Commodore Golding holds a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy (Distinction), King’s College London, a Master of Strategic Studies (Victoria University of Wellington) and a Diploma in Applied Business Management (Auckland University of Technology). In 2012 Commodore Golding was awarded the United States Navy and Marine Corps commendation and has received Chief of Navy commendations.
He joined the Navy in 1988.
Chief of Army Brigadier Rose King
Brigadier King has been Acting Chief of Army since June. From 2022 to 2024 she was the Deputy Chief of Army.
Between 2019 and 2021 Brigadier King was Director, Strategic Commitments and in 2021 she was seconded to Head of Operations, Managed Isolation and Quarantine, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
From 2018-2019 Brigadier King was Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, and in 2018 she was the Chief Operational Planner – Resolute Support Headquarters, Afghanistan.
Brigadier King holds a Bachelor of Defence Studies (Massey University), a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies (Deakin University) and a Master of Management in Defence Studies (University of Canberra). In 2018 she was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, the US Meritorious Service Medal and the US Army Commendation Medal.
Brigadier King joined the Army in 1991. She is the first woman to be appointed Chief of Army, and to be made a service chief across New Zealand’s armed forces.
Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb
Air Vice-Marshal Webb has been Chief of Air Force since 2023. From 2021 to 2023 he was Assistant Chief of Defence – Strategic Commitments and Engagements.
Between 2018 and 2021 Air Vice-Marshal Webb was Assistant Chief of Defence (Capability). He was seconded in 2020-2021 to COVID-19 Operational Lead, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb was Air Component Commander from 2016 to 2018, and deputy Chief of Air Force from 2016 to 2018. He was Senior Commander, Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea and Officer Commanding 488 Wing from 2010 to 2014.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb holds a Master of Strategic Studies (Deakin University) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Defence and Security Studies (Massey University). He is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2017 attended the Capstone Leadership Course (US Department of Defense).
He joined the Air Force in 1990.
Vice Chief of the Defence Force Commodore Mathew Williams
Commodore Williams is currently the acting Vice Chief of the Defence Force and before that, he headed up Defence Capability, a role he held since 2021.
Amongst his other roles, he has been Maritime Component Commander, and Deputy Chief of Navy.
He served most of his formative years at sea, including on exchange in the Royal Australian Navy.
Returning to New Zealand in 2001, Commodore Williams served as the first Maritime Planner at Headquarters, Joint Forces New Zealand, as well as numerous other roles including a three-year command of HMNZS Te Kaha from 2008.
Commodore Williams has been involved in Coalition Maritime Force counter-piracy operations throughout the Middle East region, and had appointments at Defence Headquarters, New Zealand Naval Attaché to the United States (NZ Embassy, Washington DC) and Military Secretary to the Minister of Defence.
Commodore Williams holds a Master of International Security and Strategy (King’s College, London); Master of Public Management (Victoria University), Bachelor of Business Studies (Massey University), and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (University of New South Wales).
Commodore Williams was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2007 New Year Honours list, and is a Member of the Royal College of Defence Studies, London.
Commodore Williams joined the Navy in 1989 as a seaman officer.
Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Brigadier Robert Krushka
Brigadier Krushka is currently the Chief of Joint Defence Services, a role he has been in since 2019.
Prior to this he held roles in Commander Logistics, Defence Logistics Command, Logistic Commander (Land), and Military Secretary, Army General Staff, Commanding Officer, 2nd Logistics Battalion and then Chief of Staff, 2nd Land Force Group.
Brigadier Krushka has deployed numerous times including to Iraq as a United Nations Military Advisor, Timor-Leste as the Officer Commanding Combat Services Support Company, and Antarctica as a Detachment Commander.
In January 2004 Brigadier Krushka was posted to Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Sydney Australia as the Staff Officer Grade Two Logistics Operations and Plans.
Brigadier Krushka is a graduate of the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College (Dux) and the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (Distinguished Graduate). He holds a Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Arts (Distinction), Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy (Distinction).
In 2006, Brigadier Krushka was awarded an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Commendation for his role in ADF support to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and in June 2006 he was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Brigadier Rob Krushka enlisted into the New Zealand Army in January 1989.
