Defence Minister Wayne Mapp was enjoying his maiden voyage with the Navy yesterday, swishing down the Whangarei Harbour at 13 knots on board the HMNZS Rotoiti. The breeze was stiff and conditions outside the harbour were bound to be bumpy for the Navy's newest vessel maiden voyage, with a stormbrewing in the north Tasman Sea. But Mr Mapp, Navy chief Rear Admiral David Ledson, 20 crew members and other Navy personnel on board were elated to finally be taking away one of the four inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) which had been languishing in Whangarei for two years. The IPVs - Rotoiti, Taupo, Hawera and Pukaki - were built at the city's former Tenix shipyard, but were tied up at Port Whangarei after failing Lloyds certification required for vessels to put to sea. The Government is planning a defence forces review, which could result in the Army's unused light-armoured vehicles being put up for sale, but Mr Mapp said the IPVs long layoff had not placed them in the same category. "Delivery of these vessels was held up by contractual issues which have been sorted out. The Navy has been hanging out for them and, over the next couple of weeks, we'll see another one depart from Whangarei," he said. Delivery of all the IPVs was expected to be completed by the end of May and Mr Mapp said the Navy was eager to put the four vessels to work. The 340 tonne, 55m-long vessels have a top speed of 25 knots (46km/h) and a range of 3000 nautical miles (5556km). "They will be particularly useful around our coast," Mr Mapp said. The Rotoiti was heading for the Devonport naval base and was expected to cover the 57 nautical miles (105km) to Auckland in five hours, despite the looming storm. Navy public relations officer Lieutenant Commander Barbara Fleissner, who was along for the ride, described the vessel's performance as "absolutely amazing" and said the IPV's were like Ferraris. Rear Admiral Ledson, 58, was equally enthusiastic, saying he was retiring next week and the delivery voyage was a great way to end his 42-year career in the Navy.
