Article Posted on : - Dec 06, 2010

HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Wellington

BLUFF (BNS): Two new Offshore Patrol Vessels of Royal New Zealand Navy have departed from Bluff, the southern coast of the South Island, New Zealand, on Monday, for a week long operation on the Auckland and Campbell Islands.

The OPV’s, Her Majesty's New Zealand Ships OTAGO and WELLINGTON will deliver a team of scientists and supplies to Campbell Island for the Department of Conservation.

During this operation, the ships will undertake trials as part of the ongoing process of releasing their full operational capabilities.

This is the first time the Navy’s two newest ships have operated in the Exclusive Economic Zone to the south of New Zealand.

The ships will return into Dunedin on 12th December 2010.