HMNZS Otago (P148)

For other ships with the same name, see HMNZS Otago.

HMNZS Otago (fore) among other Royal New Zealand Navy vessels
History
New Zealand
NameOtago
NamesakeProvince of Otago
Ordered29 July 2004
BuilderTenix[1]
Laid downDecember 2005
Launched18 November 2006[1]
HomeportPort Chalmers, Dunedin[2]
Identification
StatusActive as of 2015
General characteristics
Class and typeProtector-class offshore patrol vessel
Displacement1900 tonnes[3]
Length85 m (279 ft)[3]
Beam14 m (46 ft)[3]
Draught3.6 m (12 ft)
Propulsion2 × MAN B&W 12RK280 diesel engines with a continuous rating of 5,400 kW at 1,000 rpm
Speed
  • Baseline speed 22 knots (41 km/h)[3]
  • Economical speed 12 knots (22 km/h)
  • Loiter speed 4–10 knots (7.4–18.5 km/h)
Range6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km)[3]
Boats & landing
craft carried
  • 2 × RHIB (7.74m) or
  • 1 × special forces RHIB (11m)
Capacity
  • 30 passengers[3]
  • 1 × sea container
  • 1 × 15 tonne crane aft
Complement35 + 10 flight personnel + 4 personnel from Government agencies[3]
Sensors and
processing systems		Optical fire control
Armament
ArmourNone
Aircraft carried1 × SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopter

HMNZS Otago (P148) is a Protector-class offshore patrol vessel in service with the Royal New Zealand Navy.[4] The development of the OPV design based on an Irish Naval Service OPV class was very contentious, with the RNZN arguing for the need for a limited combat suite for effective training and patrol work with a 57 mm–76 mm light frigate gun and associated fire control, radar and electronic warfare systems at least compatible with current 2nd light RN OPVs. The government and Cabinet preference was to use the space and extra finance available to incorporate ice strengthening and provision of extra coastal patrol vessels. The RNZN view was that adding ice strengthening was unnecessary for Southern Ocean patrols, distinct from operations in the Ross Sea, and the extra weight and complexity would stress and shorten the life of the hulls from 25 to 15 years.[5] She was launched in 2006 but suffered from problems during construction and was not commissioned until 2010, two years later than planned. Soon after commissioning Otago encountered problems with both her engines which delayed her arrival at her home port of Port Chalmers. She has served on several lengthy patrols of the Antarctic, though she lacks the capability to operate in heavier levels of ice-coverage which has led to the cancellation of at least one planned operation.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LFNOPVrnzn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NNSNSrnzn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference PPPNZISARrnzn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Navy takes delivery of first OPV". Parliament of New Zealand. 18 February 2010. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  5. ^ RNZN OPVs Commission. Janes Defence Review, wk 2008-9