NZ Naval Report to the Defence Council – 1967

Extract from the report of the Naval Board of the Defence Council for period 1 April 1967 to 31 March 1968

THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY COMPOSITION OF THE NAVAL BOARD OF THE DEFENCE COUNCIL

At 31 March 1968 the composition of the Naval Board of the New Zealand Defence Council was:
Hon. David S. Thomson, M.C., E.D., M.P., Minister of Defence, Chairman.
Rear-Admiral J. O’C. Ross, C.B., C.B.E., First Naval Member and Chief of Naval Staff.
Commodore J. P.S. Vallant, RNZN, Second Naval Member and Chief of Naval Personnel.
Commodore L. B. Carey, RNZN, Third Naval Member and Chief of Naval Technical Services.
Mr A. B. Cole, Deputy Secretary of Defence (Navy).

GENERAL REMARKS

In addition to maintaining its combat capability, the Royal New Zealand Navy is required to perform many other functions. As well as maintaining a frigate force designed for anti-submarine warfare, shipping escort, etc., as a contribution to collective defence with commitments on the Far East station, the Navy patrols and protects our fishing grounds, supplies and provides support for Antarctic activities, surveys coastlines of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, supplies remote islands and meteorological stations, and conducts naval research.

In April 1967 the Navy had 1,200 men at sea, most of them away from home waters. HMNZS Waikato was on her way to New Zealand after completing extensive trials and exercises in the United Kingdom; HMNZS Blackpool was homeward bound from the Far East; HMNZS Taranaki had just completed a fleet work-up at Pearl Harbour and was on her way to Singapore to join the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve, and the supply ship HMNZS Endeavour was on a training cruise in the Pacific. At the same time the two Bathurst minesweepers HMNZ Ships Kiama and lnverell were at sea off the coast of the North Island engaged in their dual role of training and fishery protection; the survey ship HMNZS Lachlan was completing a survey in the Kapiti Island area while her two tenders were working off the oil port at Whangarei; the naval research ship Tui was operating north of New Zealand and the fishery protection motor launches were at sea on patrol.

The announcement that tenders are to be called for the building of a fourth frigate in the United Kingdom, the arrival in New Zealand of HMNZS Waikato, and the temporary loan from the Royal Navy of HMNZS Blackpool, all contribute to the capacity of the Navy to play its part in allied defence. The Naval dockyard successfully completed an extensive half-life refit of HMNZS Otago, the first operation of such magnitude carried out by the Dockyard. HMNZS Lachlan for the first time operated a helicopter from her flight deck and in cooperation with the Lands and Survey Department, completed a survey, in the southwest fiords. Recruiting has continued at a steady level and the introduction of a new midshipman-training scheme proved successful. In February 1968 the Navy again played a major part in the staging of the Waitangi Treaty commemorative celebrations. The frigate Otago, the minesweepers Kiama and Inverell, and several fishery protection motor launches steamed to the Bay of Islands for the ceremony and a Royal Guard and the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy were paraded.

The research ship Tui, after 27 years of service to the Navy, was finally paid off leaving our Navy at present without a research vessel. Other fleet units are also approaching the ends of their useful operational life.

STRENGTH OF THE NAVY

Regular Forces

The strength of the RNZN at 31 March 1968 was 2,912 comprising 316 officers (including 4 Royal Navy Officers on loan), 2,492 ratings, 10 WRNZNS officers, and 94 WRNZNS ratings. This total includes naval personnel serving overseas and in Defence Office posts. The Navy’s authorised ceiling strength was 3,018.

Despite the fact that there was an increase in the number of applicants interviewed, enlistments dropped from 393 during 1966-67 to 352 in 1967-68. Releases during 1967-68 totalled 374. Quotas for less highly skilled branches were easily met, but there continues to be a shortfall of applicants capable of being trained to the standards demanded of the more highly technical branches of the RNZN.

The supplementary list scheme whereby officer cadets were trained for short service commissions is .in abeyance. However, a new method of training young career officers has been introduced which enabled the target of 10 officer cadet entries to be achieved.

The artificer apprentice scheme under which entrants carry out their training in New Zealand continued into its second year of operation but recruiting for this scheme was disappointing, only 14 of a requirement for 20 being enlisted. .

Non-Regular Forces

The strength of the Reserve Naval Forces as at 31 March 1968 totalled 3,289, made up of 492 officers and 2,797 ratings. Within these numbers the active reserve, comprising the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve and the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, totalled 131 officers and 410 ratings. This reserve has decreased during the year from a previous strength of 584 all ranks.

The inactive reserve, consisting of the Royal New Zealand Fleet

Reserve and a number of miscellaneous reservists, now stands at a total.of 2,748, of which 361 are officers and 2,387 ratings.

Dockyard

There has been noticeable improvement in the availability of tradesmen for dockyard employment. The staff shortages experienced over the past few years have now been overcome and a general improvement in stability and efficiency of the staff has resulted. Thirty-three apprentices were recruited in 1967 making a total of 145 apprentices employed in the dockyard.

OPERATIONS

HMNZS Waikato arrived at Tauranga on 2 June 1967, after commissioning and work-up in the United Kingdom. After leave and maintenance she participated in AUCKEX 67 and then proceeded on a New Zealand cruise. The ship sailed for service with the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve on 24 October 1967, calling at Australian ports en route. She has paid a first visit to Taiwan and is scheduled to visit Djakarta 24-26 April 1968.

HMNZS Otago completed a successful extended refit and modernisation on 11 November 1967, recommissioned and commenced trials. En route for training exercises in Australia, the ship participated in the 1968 Treaty of Waitangi commemoration and provided the Royal Guard for this ceremony. She returned from Australia on 27 February 1968 before proceeding to Pearl Harbour for refresher training prior to relieving Waikato as the Royal New Zealand Naval contribution to the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.

HMNZS Taranaki formed the New Zealand contribution to the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve from April 1967 until November 1967. During this period the ship participated in SEATO exercises and made visits to Japan and Korea. On return to Auckland on 15 December 1967, she began an extended refit and modernisation. This is scheduled for completion early in 1969.

HMNZS Blackpool arrived in New Zealand from service with the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve in May 1967. After participation in AUCKEX 67, a biennial refit commenced on 30 October 1967. The ship is scheduled to become operational again in April 1968.

HMNZS Endeavour was guard ship for the Whangarei-Noumea Yacht Race, during a navigational training cruise for midshipmen. This was followed by calls at. Pacific islands during which stores and obsolete explosives for reef clearing operations were delivered to various islands. The ship refitted from July to October 1967 before transporting a diving team and explosives to Samoa. Ammunition dumping for all three Services was carried out in November 1967, followed by Antarctic supply duties involving two round trips to McMurdo Sound. Various oceanographic studies were also carried out during the year.

HMNZS Kiama’s and HMNZS lnverell’s fishery protection and sea training duties have continued throughout the year. The ships participated in AUCKEX 67 and made visits to Australian ports.

Exercises

An anti-submarine exercise, AUCKEX 67, was held 24 July to 25 August 1967 in the Hauraki Gulf and northeastern approaches to the North Island. Participating were HMNZ Ships Waikato, Blackpool, lnverell, and Kiama, and HM Submarine Tabard. During the final phase the United States Naval Ships Carpenter and Sproston and the United States Submarine Volador were present. This is the first time that USN ships have taken part in a major exercise with the RNZN in New Zealand waters since the end of World War II. The RNZAF participated throughout.

HMNZ Ships also took part in the following exercises:

Sea Dog – A SEATO Maritime exercise in the South China Sea, 10-23 July. HMNZS Taranaki and ships of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Philippines, and Thailand.

Partner – A Far East Fleet exercise in the Indian Ocean, 26 January-4 February. HMNZS Waikato and units of the RN and RAN.

Vortex – The annual RNZNVR exercise held in the Marlborough Sounds, 29 December- 10 January. All four RNZNVR motor launches plus HMNZ Ships lnverell and Haku.

Fishery Protection

Continuous and extensive patrolling within the 12-mile limit around New Zealand’s 3,000 miles of coastline was maintained by at least three motor launches and HMNZ Ships lnverell and Kiama. The length of patrols and the need to maintain them in poor weather conditions has emphasised the requirement far more versatile vessels far this task. Regular visits to the Chatham Islands have been made by HMNZ Ships lnverell and Kiama in the course of fishery patrols.

Assistance to other Government Departments

During the past year the RNZN has carried out a variety of tasks for Other Government Departments including four trips to Raoul Island to render medical assistance and to carry urgently needed stares; delivery of mail to the meteorological station at Campbell Island during Antarctic supply trips; the transport of DSIR scientists to White Island to study volcanic activity; the carriage of explosives from the North Island to the South Island far the Department of Internal Affairs; and the transport of wildlife Officers of the Internal Affairs Department to islets in the Hauraki Gulf far bird species preservation work.

Naval Research Laboratory

During the year, the laboratory has continued to study those aspects of the ocean that affect the efficiency of submarine detection systems that are in service or contemplated far use by the RNZN and the RNZAF. These studies were carried out with the research ship RNZFA Tui assisted by the RNZAF. In addition to work in these areas far which the RNZN has a national responsibility, the work has been further extended through cooperative international activities.

The understanding of the Ocean that the laboratory has acquired is enabling an increasing effort to be applied to improving the efficiency of sonar equipment fitted in RNZN frigates and laboratory staff spent a considerable amount of time during the year an this work. In other fields, also, the provision of direct scientific assistance to the RNZN and RNZAF is increasing. Metallurgical support for the dockyard and the Navy has been provided and a considerable amount of work has been done on such diverse topics as naval communications, analysis of maritime exercises, and protection of ships against mines and torpedoes.

The Tui, having reached the end of her economical service, was paid off at the end of 1967. Until a new research ship is provided, laboratory activities will inevitably be curtailed and the effectiveness of the scientific support, particularly far the Navy, will be much reduced.

Hydrographic Activities

The survey ship HMNZS Lachlan established the precise geographical positions of islands in the Cook Group by astronomical observation, and commenced a major coastal survey at the extreme north ‘Of New Zealand, including the Three Kings Islands.

A combined Navy and Lands and Survey team, using a helicopter from HMNZS Lachlan, carried out a traverse from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point to establish survey control for the first time to this part of New Zealand.

The survey motor launch HMNZS Tarapunga completed a survey of Kapiti Island waters and surveyed an area eastward of the Coromandel Peninsula. The second survey launch HMNZS Takapu, paid off into reserve in May 1967.

The Navy Office, Hydrographic Branch, prepared and published two new charts in the area north of Auckland, covering Cape Brett to Cuvier Island on a scale of 1 : 200,000 and Bream Tail to Kawau Island, including Great Barrier Island on 1 : 100,000. A new chart of Great Barrier Island ports and anchorages was also published. A new style fisheries chart published for the White Island area is also designed for gunnery practice on the Volkner Island range. The coastal chart of Cape Palliser to Kaikoura has been issued in a trial fisheries edition and comments have been sought from the industry. One provisional chart was published and 23 other charts were revised and reprinted. Chart corrections of navigational importance were promulgated in Notices to Mariners and ‘Over 40,000 copies were distributed.

The Hydrographic Supplies Department, Auckland, distributed 23,761 charts and 977 books, through agencies overseas and throughout New Zealand. Total revenue from sales was $21,996.

TRAINING

Two naval officers are attending the Joint Services’ Staff College in the United Kingdom. To reduce the level of Overseas training expenditure the following changes have been introduced:

Officers

A major reorganisation of officer training was undertaken during the year. Previously General List officers received their initial training in naval colleges in Australia and the United Kingdom. The new scheme provides for introductory training in HMNZS Tamaki followed by full-time study at the University of Auckland, for a degree appropriate to the specialisation chosen, and practical naval training during vacations. As well as making a considerable saving in overseas funds, this new training will provide a sound basis for the advanced technical and application training which these officers will later receive. The first class consists of seven newly entered midshipmen, and five midshipmen who had already commenced their training at the Royal Australian Naval College and ships of the fleet. Enrolments have been made in the faculties of science, commerce, arts, and engineering.

Artificer Apprentices

These ratings now undertake their first four years of training in New Zealand. This was the first full year of this scheme and 17 apprentices obtained a total of 60 subject passes in first-year examinations in the New Zealand Certificate of Engineering. The construction in HMNZS Tamaki of workshops for second and third year apprentices will, in addition to enabling training to be carried out in New Zealand, progress further the centralisation of all RNZN training in this establishment.

During the year Philomel and Tamaki gave basic training to 958 ratings and advanced courses to 100 officers and 1,500 ratings. At 31 March 1968, 28 artificer apprentices were under training in British naval establishments, six in Austra1ia, and 28 in New Zealand. Twenty-three officers and 52 ratings underwent advanced training overseas. Sixteen Malaysian naval ratings were trained in New Zealand during the year. In addition 52 personnel from NZ Army, RNZAF, and Police and eight civilians were given training in Philomel. Included in the above were 12 Army, 12 Police, and six civilian personnel who were given diving training.

EQUIPMENT, SUPPLY, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Refitting

The special refit of HMNZS Otago was completed. During this refit extensive hull repair and renewal work was undertaken including the fitting of a new bow section. While in dock the propeller shafts were withdrawn for refitting and sonar hull outfits were overhauled. Extensive marine engineering and weapon system work was undertaken, the latter requiring the removal from the ship of all principal weapon mountings and units for complete overhaul and modernisation. Comprehensive trials followed re-installation. Electrical and radio work also required the removal from the ship of machinery and equipment for reconditioning. Several major improvements to Operations room, sonar, and communications systems were completed and new radar was fitted. All compartments and equipment in Otago have now been restored to a high standard.

The first New Zealand refit of HMNZS Blackpool was also undertaken, necessitating considerable work in all departments but particularly in the hull and marine engineering fields. Several operational defects were remedied in HMNZS Waikato, and HMNZ Ships Endeavour, Lachlan, Inverell, and Kiama were docked and essential defects made good. Refitting work was also undertaken on seaward defence motor launches and other auxiliary craft. New Zealand made communications equipment is being fitted in all motor launches.

Ship Maintenance Coordinating Authority

The effective application of planned maintenance in the fleet requires a simple but efficient system of documentation. This system must provide an aid to planning and recording maintenance work on-board and be a means of ensuring that, with the minimum of clerical effort, the Naval Board and the administrative authorities are kept informed of the material state of the ship or shore establishment. The Ship Maintenance Coordinating Authority, which was established in 1959, has made a valuable contribution in planning and coordinating this work and its activities and services have been extended during the year. The amount of technical information being received, processed and disseminated continues to increase by approximately 75 percent each year but continual revision of handling and production procedures has enabled this valuable service to be undertaken without significant increases in overheads.

HMNZS lrirangi

Improvements in communications have been achieved by the introduction of secure on-line broadcast to ships. Multi-channelling telegraph equipment has also been installed and it provides a more efficient, and cheaper link between Wellington and lrirangi. The four-year programme for refitting all aerials has made good progress .in this first year. Planning for the installation of new transmitters has been completed and approved to purchase is awaited. At the receiver station structural modernisation is now almost complete.

Work Study

Continued use has been made of up to date work-study and allied management services in the fleet, shore establishments, and the dockyard. Studies undertaken during the period under review have included layout of workshops and overall management responsibility within major dockyard departments; procedures for pre and post-refit weapon system trials of ships; optimum use of staff and facilities in training establishments; and investigations in conjunction with the Auckland Command Development Plan.

Disposals

HMNZS Royalist was sold by the Royal Navy for scrapping to the Nissho Company, Osaka, and was towed away early January 1968. A number of items were retained as training aids. HMNZS Stawell will shortly be declared surplus for disposal through the Government Stores Board.

MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES

The general state of health of the Navy continues to be very good. The work loss through illness has been reduced to 3.34 days per man per year. This is even better than last year’s figure (4.5 days), and represents a low incidence of work loss. Five deaths were recorded, two from cardiovascular disease, two from road accidents, and one officer at Hong Kong from complications following acute appendicitis. Thirty-three personnel were discharged on medical grounds, representing 1.1 percent of the total force.

The number of patients treated at the RNZN hospital increased to 1,419. Three hundred and thirty-eight major operations were performed, of which 107 were for Navy personnel.

Mobile dental units are dispatched to sea-going ships as occasion permits, and a high overall standard of dental fitness is maintained amongst all Navy personnel. Twelve thousand three hundred and five treatments were completed last year, including a number of oral surgery cases referred from Army and Air. New mass preventive measures are being introduced.

EDUCATION AND WELFARE

Education

For many years the main educational requirement for promotion from the lower deck has been a pass in the Royal Navy’s Higher Educational Test. This has now been replaced completely by the New Zealand School Certificate. A large number of ratings possess this qualification on entry, and many others find this to be a desirable goal not only for promotion but also for resettlement in civilian life. Full use is made of the Government Correspondence School for this purpose, and courses from the Technical Correspondence Institute in vocational subjects are also very popular.

The recruiting of Education officers improved considerably during the year, and the Instructor Branch is now only one under complement. This has enabled an increased number of educational and technical courses to be undertaken.

Welfare

Pre-commission visits and lectures to senior ratings have resulted in increasing confidence in the ability of the welfare staff to assist ratings and their families, with a diversity of problems, many of which are peculiar to the Service. During the year more than 800 visits were made to the homes of personnel in connection with routine welfare matters.

The Royal New Zealand Navy Benevolent Fund assisted 33 applicants for housing loans. Eight applications were dealt with to relieve financial distress and a further three grants were made to assist with funeral expenses.