ASS – Antarctic Supply Ships

HMNZS Aotearoa successfully replenished its largest ship (USS Boxer) since commissioning four years ago. The replenishment at sea took 8.5 hours, making this the ship’s longest replenishment.

02 August, 2024

Providing fuel for both the ship and aircraft on board, a total of 3,350,000 litres of fuel was transferred to USS Boxer, a US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship on an operational deployment. The replenishment took place south of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.  

Commanding Officer of HMNZS Aotearoa, Commander Rob Welford said the replenishment at sea took 8.5 hours, making this the ship’s longest replenishment.

“This was no simple task, but our crew carried this out with the care and attention needed over a sustained period of time.

“This is what our crew trains for, and is a testament of the interoperability the Royal New Zealand Navy conducts with partners as we continue to work together,” Rob Welford said. 

HMNZS Aotearoa is currently on Operation Crucible, a reoccurring Navy deployment to carry out international military exercises, operations and engagements.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) stands by as the lifeguard station for the replenishment-at-sea (RAS) conducted by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), left, and the Royal New Zealand Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A 11) during the Force Integration phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 13. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that begin in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bayley Foster)

Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) heave a line during a replenishment-at-sea with Royal New Zealand Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A 11) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 in the Pacific Ocean, July 13. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran)