HMNZS Otago Undergoes Trials

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Otago has been conducting trials this week, according to social media.

On Tuesday the ship successfully conducted acceptance trials for her 25mm gun.

On Wednesday, as part of EX PEKAPEKA, Otago conducted deck and wet helicopter winching with RNZNAF 3SQN.

HMNZS Otago (P148) is a Protector class offshore patrol vessel 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.