HMNZS Pukaki (1975)
| Career (New Zealand) |  |
|---|---|
| Builder: | Brooke Marine, Britain |
| Commissioned: | 1975 |
| Decommissioned: | 1991 |
| Fate: | deleted |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Lake class inshore patrol vessel |
| Displacement: | 105 tons standard 135 tons full load |
| Length: | 107.8 ft (32.9 m) |
| Beam: | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Draught: | 11.1 ft (3.4 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Paxman 12Y JCM diesels 3000 hp, 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
| Range: | 3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) |
| Complement: | 21 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Navigation Radar Racal Decca 916 I Band |
| Armament: | 2 × 12.7mm MGs 1 × 81mm mortar |
HMNZS Pukaki (1975) was a Lake class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. One of 4 Lake class IPV of a planned class of 6 patrol boats, intended to replace the wartime harbour protection boats and old converted minesweepers HMNZS Kiama and Inverell used for fishery protection in the 1960s and early 1970s. The Lake class were politically justfied as a means of enhancing New Zealand's capability for patrolling the 200 mile (320Km) Exclusive economic zone, established by the new Law of the Sea of 1977. However they were too small for the task, and gave the crews a roller coaster ride, resulting in extensive injury and vomit. Originally the RNZN had requested slightly larger 37 metre boats from Brooke Marine, but the experience of the over extended Lake class turned the Navy strongly against this type of mini warship, small patrol vessel. They were condemned on their order and introduction by opposition politician as ridiculously expensive and militaristic for fisheries protection. On calm days and in protected waters they could be enjoyable and the small crew of officers and men, could enjoy a good atmosphere and they gave useful early command experience for officers. HMS Pukaki commissioned in 1975 with pennant number P3568. Probably the most useful role of the Pukaki and its sister was to escort with police launches and HMNZS Waikato, the USN SSN's Haddo and Pintado into Auckland Harbour in 1978 and 1979 . HMNZS Pukaki was deleted in 1991, being sold as a private launch.
Pukaki was one of three ships of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is named after Lake Pukaki.
See also
Notes
References
- McDougall, R J (1989) New Zealand Naval Vessels. Page 98-100. Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-477-01399-4