HMNZS Pukaki was a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Pukaki commissioned in 1975, deleted in 1991 and sold as a private launch.
| History | |
|---|---|
 New Zealand | |
| Builder | Brooke Marine, Britain |
| Commissioned | 1975 |
| Decommissioned | 1991 |
| Identification | Pennant number: P3568 |
| 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 |
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| Armament |
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Service history edit
The class was intended to comprise 6 vessels 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 justified as a means of enhancing New Zealand's capability for patrolling the 200-nautical-mile (370 km) 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 sea sickness. Originally the RNZN had requested slightly larger 37-metre (121 ft) boats from Brooke Marine, but the experience of the over-extended Lake class turned the navy strongly against this type of mini warship. Opposition politicians condemned their introduction as ridiculously expensive and militaristic for fisheries protection. On calm days and in protected waters they could be comfortable and they gave useful early command experience for officers. Pukaki and its class were used to escort the US Navy nuclear submarines Haddo and Pintado into Auckland Harbour in 1978 and 1979 .
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 edit
Notes edit
References edit
- McDougall, R J (1989) New Zealand Naval Vessels. Page 98-100. Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-477-01399-4
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