Borrowed warship may solve navy's training headache

1.00pm - By IAN STUART

A leased warship may help the navy overcome a dire shortage of training berths it will face when the old steam frigate HMNZS Canterbury retires next year.

The retiring Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Peter McHaffie, who leaves today after 37 years, the last four as chief, said it was one of several options being looked at so the navy could continue to train young sailors at sea.

Canterbury, the last of the navy's steam ships, was launched 34 years ago and is becoming increasingly fragile and harder to maintain. It cannot continue past its decommission date of April next year.

However, the old warship is the navy's main training ship and without it the navy faces a real problem of where to post young sailors who need sea time and seamanship training.

The navy's other ships, including the two Anzac class frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, have a limited number of training berths -- not enough to meet the demand for new recruits the navy is bringing on to staff the new range of ships being built under Project Protector.

The first of the new ships, which include a multi-role ship to replace Canterbury, two offshore patrol craft and between four and six inshore patrol craft, were not due to arrive for at least a year after Canterbury is retired.

Mr McHaffie said until the navy knew exactly when the new ships would arrive, it could not finalise plans for a temporary training replacement for Canterbury.

He said a navy team was studying the options.

"We could do training with other navies but a good situation would be to lease a vessel which is similar to a vessel which we are going to receive (under Project Protector)."

There were several ships which had "done sterling service with other navies and it might not be a bad idea for us to borrow one for a period of time to hone our skills before we receive our own vessel.

"We are working on options and we have not yet chosen any particular option."

Mr McHaffie was due to be farewelled with a 17-gun salute at a change of command ceremony at the Devonport Naval Base, HMNZS Philomel, today.

RA McHaffie will hand over as chief of navy to Commodore David Ledson, 53, who will be promoted to Rear Admiral tomorrow.

In the change of command ceremony, Commodore Jack Steer will replace Commodore Ledson as maritime component commander.

- NZPA