Leaderboard

a frigate is generally regarded as the smallest vessel all weather all ocean capable. The Navy, like all of our very limited Armed Forces, are there to play our part internationally, and provide resources for Natural disasters. The ChCH earthquake and Cyclone Gabriel are classic examples - you want to discuss this with the people of Napier and East cape about what the defense forces did for them ? The Government has virtually no other resources to use. Our Defense forces are bleeding experienced people as they are so under resourced. The resource we have is supposed to complement tho

I find this somewhat peculiar... I would expect the rate of fuel usage would mean the fuel is consumed faster than the fungal culture would grow... this is normal in commercial marine applications. Unless that is, the vessel was bunkered with what was already contaminated fuel ....? Yes, there will be centrifuges to clean the fuel plus additional filtration, and continual polishing of the fuel in the day service tanks. There should also be scheduled fuel tank cleaning and inspections as part of routine maintenance. As far as mechanical engine damage goes, this is very unlikely and is usua

You mean like the Inshore and Offshore Patrol craft that are home-based at regional ports around the country, along with one working frigate and a fleet support ship? Oh, and a survey ship to keep our charts up to date, for international commerce. Sounds exactly like what we have.

Straying into politics, but disaster recovery and monitoring of our exclusive economic zone are primary reasons. Same with the air farce. We dropped our strike fighter squadron because it did not serve a legitimate purpose. But maritime patrol, helos and Charlie 130's are very handy for a country parked at the bottom of the South Pacific that is prone to earthquakes and has a portion of the population that likes sailing, getting lost and hoping that an Orion (or new Poseidon) will come and find them.