Visit of US naval training ship reflects nuclear rift's fence mending

David Huebner announced the visit yesterday. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A former United States naval vessel that is still technically owned by the US Government will visit New Zealand this month.

It was formerly the USNS Maury, an oceanographic survey ship, and is now the TS Golden Bear, a training ship for maritime cadets.

A visit by a real US warship is not on the radar of either the US or New Zealand Governments, despite a near full restoration of the relationship since the anti-nuclear rift.

But the presence of even a former US naval vessel in a New Zealand harbour will hold some symbolism in steadily increasing naval engagement.

The Royal New Zealand Navy began full-blown exercises with the US Navy last month in the Pacific.

United States Ambassador David Huebner yesterday announced the visit of the TS Golden Bear to Wellington.

It is a training ship of California University's Maritime Academy and will carry 250 cadets, who will play rugby against Victoria University.

The 152m ship was part of the US fleet until 1994.

It is now owned by the US Maritime Administration, an arm of the Government, and could be called on in an emergency.

Its presence does not require any waiver from the US presidential directives imposed when New Zealand banned nuclear armed or powered vessels in 1987.

Ambassador Huebner said there had been three TS Golden Bears.

The original one visited New Zealand several times during World War II when it was the USS Crescent City.

It was transferred to the California Maritime Academy and renamed and had visited Auckland on training cruises in 1973 and 1976.