|
Naval Today >> The industry’s seaborne news provider by Naval Today / 9min // keep unread // trash // preview
New Zealand Naval Vessel to Visit a US Port after Over 30 Years
The United States and New Zealand announced on Monday a resumption of military-to-military contacts as part of expanded defense cooperation that will see the first visit by a New Zealand naval vessel to an American port in more than three decades.The announcement followed a meeting at the Pentagon between Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his New Zealand counterpart, Jonathan Coleman. Hagel told reporters significant progress had been made in the defense relationship since both countries signed a declaration last year setting out expanded cooperation. The enhanced ties will include the first joint defense policy talks in almost 30 years.
In a gradual easing of a policy that had been in place since 1984, Hagel authorized the New Zealand navy to dock at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during next year’s RIMPAC military exercises.
The policy restricting visits by New Zealand warships to American ports has been in place since 1984 when the ANZUS Treaty between the United States, Australia and New Zealand was partially suspended because of New Zealand’s opposition to nuclear armed or powered U.S. warships visiting its ports. During a visit to New Zealand last year, then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced an easing of restrictions on visits by New Zealand naval vessels to Defense Department and Coast Guard facilities on a case-by-case basis. Coleman told reporters New Zealand is looking for areas where it can expand defense cooperation with the United States.
During the news conference, Hagel also said he expects the ongoing budget sequester, which he said will reduce Pentagon spending by more than $50 billion if it continues next year, to have an impact on the military’s pivot toward the Asia-Pacific region.
Press Release, October 31, 2013; Image: US DoD |
Remeber a visit to this place during a visit while on Taranaki or Otago – who remembers because much beer was drunk
Cascade Brewery in Hobart, Tasmania
Share this:
BAE Systems Hands Over Warship to Royal Navy of Oman
 A new warship has been handed over to the Royal Navy of Oman amid colourful celebrations on HM Naval Base Portsmouth this morning.AL RAHMANI is the second of three 99 metre corvettes designed, built and delivered for the Royal Navy of Oman as part of Project Khareef. Her Interim Acceptance, in which the ship’s title is transferred before sailing to Oman, marks an important milestone for the project. The formal handover ceremony was attended by our employees and VIPs from the Royal Navy of Oman and the Royal Navy who watched her crew board the vessel and raise the National Flag of Oman on the ship’s flight deck for the first time.
In celebration of the milestone, our employees took part in a week of Omani themed activities with the ship’s crew members. Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower also joined the celebrations by lighting up in Oman’s national colours over the city in which AL RAHMANI was constructed.
The first vessel in the class, AL SHAMIKH which was handed over in June, has now arrived in Oman, while the third ship, AL RASIKH, is scheduled for handover in the first half of 2014. Press Release, October 30, 2013; Image: BAE Systems |
Share this:
HOSTAR MOVES WWII PT BOAT
PT-728, one of the few remaining examples of the torpedo-armed fast attack craft
HOSTAR Moves WWII PT Boat
MarineLink.com
Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 11:06 AM
Photo: HOSTAR Marine
PT-728, one of the few remaining examples of the torpedo-armed fast attack craft that helped America win WWII, is no ordinary boat. To help move the vessel carefully, HOSTAR Marine used a hydraulic yard trailer.
Portraying various sister boats, PT-728 has played a starring role in numerous movies and documentaries, most famously as PT-73 in the television show McHale’s Navy. She is the only U.S. Coast Guard-inspected PT boat licensed to take passengers for hire. Currently undergoing restoration at the Liberty Aircraft Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio, her recent move with a 60-ton HOSTAR HST6500Y hydraulic yard trailer was overseen by MarineMax of Port Clinton/Catawba Island.
The only surviving U.S.-built PT boat with a Vosper-designed hull, PT-728′s keel was laid in Annapolis, Maryland, on August 10, 1945, just days prior to the war’s end. Although completed with combat configuration, she was decommissioned in November of the same year and eventually sold to a private owner.
Originally powered by three Packard/Merlin patrol engines totaling 4,055 hp, with a strike speed of 40 knots, PT-728′s displacement was 33 tons with a full battle load. Her armament included four MK8 torpedoes, a 20 mm cannon, two twin 50-caliber Browning machine guns and an assault gun. She was later repowered with two Detroit Diesel 8V 71 TI engines.
HOSTAR’s HSTY series hydraulic yard trailers accommodate power boats and deep draft sailboats, up to an 8′ draft and 100′ in length. Equipped with low-profile high flotation industrial tires for extra-heavy loads, they have a handling capacity of up to 200,000 lbs. These adjustable height trailers save time and money by making loading and off-loading a one-man operation.
Features include an electrically powered hydraulic system with independently controlled, extendable arms. Hydraulic walking beam suspension permits frame lifting or lowering to the ground. Trailers have slide-through removable cross beams for proper keel support, with pockets through and under the frame. Easy-handling reinforced aluminum cross beams are also available as an option.
Made especially for yard use and ideal for use with a travel hoist or crane, the HSTY series increases boat handling capability and maximizes yard storage capacity. An optional ramp package includes remote control for underwater operation. The hydraulic trailers come painted in a color of choice or hot-dip galvanized.
Besides hydraulic yard and over-the-road boat trailers, HOSTAR Marine also manufactures self-propelled yard trailers, government/military trailers, boat dollies and boat stands. The company offers customization on all its hydraulic trailers to accommodate special needs for marinas, boatyards and repair facilities.
hostarmarine.com
Photo: HOSTAR Marine
Share this:
New Zealand’s Q-West to Build High-speed Ferry
New Zealand’s Q-West to Build High-speed Ferry
MarineLink.com
Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 12:40 PM
Rendering provided by Q-West
As with most island nations, New Zealand is heavily dependent on ferries. By this time next year, there will be a new ferry added to the Auckland-based Fullers Group fleet. Currently being constructed at Q-West Boat Builders Ltd. on the Wanganui River, the Incat Crowther-designed catamaran will join a large number of aluminum vessels launched from this versatile yard.
At 34 by 9.5 meters, with a molded depth of 3.05 meters, this will be among the larger vessels delivered from this yard. With a capacity for 338 passengers, 256 inside and a further 82 external, this will be a capable people carrier. The owners have an existing fleet of ferries providing service to islands in the Hauraki Gulf outside of Auckland Harbor on the North Island.
A pair of Cummins QSK38-M engines, each delivering 1,400 HP at 1,800 RPM to ZF gears and Tiger 5-blade 44.5-inch propellers, will provide propulsion for the catamaran . This will give the ferry an operational speed of 26 knots. A pair of Cummins 6B-powered 100 kVA generators will provide electrical service.
A Palfinger PK4501M deck crane will handle cargo and stores. Tankage will be provided for 8,000 liters of fuel and 3,000 liters of water.
q-west.com
Rendering provided by Q-West
