The visiting French warship Jacques Cartier received serious damage on its journey from New Caledonia, requiring repairs which may delay its return.
Lieutenant Commander Joseph Couval said their arrival in Napier was delayed due to the same storm that battered Hawke's Bay late last week.
"It was rough, we were travelling against
a strong southerly wind and sea," he said. "As a consequence, our front doors are bent and the communication mast is about to fall.
"Engineers will complete some repairs to ensure the safety of the ship for the return journey."
The Jacques Cartier is an amphibious ship with doors on the bow that allow vehicles to disembark directly on to dry land.
Repairs to the ship over the weekend needed to work around the 56-strong crew's engagements. which had to be rearranged to accommodate their late arrival due to the storm.
"It is busy but that is part of life in the navy," says Commander Couval.
"There is no way I would cancel anything because our mission is to tighten the links between our two countries."
A planned luncheon on Saturday was moved to the evening.
Nearly 1000 visitors queued on Saturday for a guided tour of the ship, after which the crew played a soccer match against the Port Hills club before hosting an Art Deco-themed cocktail party for local dignitaries on the ship's helicopter pad.
French food and wine was served and local band Men in Black provided entertainment.
Designed during the Cold War to help defend French island territories, the Jacques Cartier instead found itself in demand throughout the Pacific for humanitarian aid missions.
This time last year it was engaged in relief work assisting the victims of the tsunami in Samoa.
With ballast tanks along the whole length of the ship to adjust its pitch, Commander Couval said he could land people and equipment on just about any beach or boat ramp.
Napier engineers spent yesterday and today undertaking repairs for its scheduled departure at 2pm. "We have had a very friendly welcome from the people of Napier; if we have to stay longer we won't complain," Commander Couval said.
