Archives
BEAN ROCK
Position: 36.833284°S 174.831127°E Characteristics: Fl WR 8s, Fl(3) WR 8s Range: 14 nm (white), 11 nm (red) Structure: timber legs, hexagonal wooden cottage The Bean Rock light is possibly New Zealand’s best-known lighthouse as it provides an important waypoint indicator for mariners navigating approaches to Auckland, the country’s busiest harbour. Colonial marine engineer James Balfour himself designed it as a harbour light for Auckland. The 1871 name of the light came from Lieutenant Bean, who assisted in a harbour survey in 1840 as master of HMS Herald. The lights of Bean Rock and Ponui Passage (now Sandspit Passage) were always considered twins, improving the safety of navigation between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula. Bean Rock light entered service...
DAZZLE IS BACK
New patrol ship HMS Tamar will deploy to the Asia-Pacific region with a so-called “dazzle camouflage” paint job. Shipwrights in Falmouth, Cornwall used 200 litres of paint in four shades of grey and black to recreate the design. The paint job has been done to give the ship a “distinct identity”, the Royal Navy said. The paint style was first introduced by the Royal Navy towards the end of World War One. With Britain struggling to deal with the U-boat threat, artist and sailor, Norman Wilkinson, came up with the idea of confusing U-boat skippers during patrols out of Plymouth. The contrasting shapes, angles and colours were devised to make it difficult for submariners to gauge the ship’s direction of travel and speed. This caused them to either delay long enoug...
EX HMNZS PAEA
Keith and Heather Nicholson have been hard at work on Paea and she is looking great.
NGAPONA ASSN FORMAL DINNER – 24 JULY 2021
The Ngapona Association is holding a formal dinner on Saturday 24 July 2021 at the Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead, Auckland. The guest speaker will be RNZN’s Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor. An invitation to attend the function is extended to all NGA Association members, all past and present members of NGAPONA and their partners/spouses. Tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The cost of this function is $50.00 per head. A cash bar will operate. There will be a buffet type meal of three courses. It is expected that Able Musician Rebecca Nelson will provide a brief performance during the evening. It is also expected that a rum issue will be held. ...
Forbidden World War II photos, taken by New Zealanders, finally revealed
Taking photos overseas in World War II was forbidden to Kiwi personnel, but historian Glyn Harper says many people ignored the rule and smuggled cameras in their kitbags. Read more from Stuff here
2021 HMNZS Otago Reunion
Not long to go until the Otago Reunion in Tauranga. Please ensure you get yoru registration forms in and book your accommodation at the Armitage Hotel as rooms are getting booked out. Click here for registration form
SHIP OF THE WEEK – HMNZS WELLINGTON F69
HMNZS Wellington was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Originally commissioned in 1969 for the Royal Navy as HMS Bacchante, she joined the RNZN in 1982. On arrival in New Zealand, Wellington was decommissioned and entered an extended refit which ended in 1986. The limited modernization proved difficult and took an unexpected 4 years. When inspected prior to purchase in 1981, she was in the condition expected for an RN frigate after a dozen years’ service. However, in 1982 the frigate conducted a four-month winter patrol in the post-war Falklands exclusion zone with the other four RN unmodernised Leanders. Sea conditions in the Falkland exclusion zone mea...
RESERVE UNITS TRAINING NIGHTS OPEN TO ALL
Contrary to popular belief, anyone who has transitioned from RF to Reserve and is able to pass the medical and fitness test is welcome and encouraged to attend parade/training nights at your local Reserve Unit. Your participation will be paid, and your hours count towards annual efficiency. Each unit conducts training (AWQ, First-Aid etc.), as well as other activities, expeds, functions and much more. Each unit also has dedicated full time staff who can help with queries and any administrative requirements, there are also DIXS computers for use. Give it a go, you may be surprised.
WARNING ORDER – NGAPONA ASSN FORMAL DINNER
The Ngapona Association is holding a formal dinner on Saturday 24 July 2021 at the Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead, Auckland. The guest speaker will be the Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor RNZN. An invitation to attend the function is extended to all NGA Association members, all past and present members of NGAPONA and their partners/spouses. Tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The cost of this function is $50.00 per head. A cash bar will operate. There will be a buffet type meal of three courses. It is expected that Able Musician Rebecca Nelson will provide a brief performance during the evening. It is also expected that a rum issue will be held. As ...
NEW LANDING CRAFT FOR ADF
The Australian government will invest up to AUS$800 million (US$620 million) to acquire new fleets of Australian-built amphibious vehicles and landing craft that will be able to transport land forces with enhanced speed and protection. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the Army Littoral Manoeuvre – Light project, LAND 8710 Phase 1 will strengthen the ADF’s amphibious capabilities. “Today’s announcement delivers on this Government’s objectives, set out in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, to enhance the ADF’s amphibious capabilities, especially in Australia’s territorial waters and the near region,” Minister Reynolds said. “These new vessels, introduced from 2026, will be larger, faster, and better protected to support ADF operations. “They will allow Defence to qui...