Search and Rescue
Recently PUKAKI joined the search for a missing vessel, ‘East Coaster’, in the vicinity of the Hen and Chicken Islands. It was reported that the vessel, with four people onboard, was in a distressed state and taking on water.
However after an extensive search by PUKAKI, a local coastguard vessel and an aircraft, nothing was found. Due to the deteriorating weather, PUKAKI then escorted the Coastguard vessel back to Whangarei before proceeding home to the Devonport Naval Base.
Search and rescue support is not isolated to New Zealand's borders. Another MADAY call, further afield, was responded to by HMNZS RESOLUTION. RESOLUTION was carrying out hydrographic survey work in the Pacific when its Commanding Officer answered a call for assistance from the vessel Olovaha; which was taking on water as it headed from Vava’u to Nuku’alofa. Within an hour of hearing of the vessel’s plight, a team of Navy personnel were aboard the Olovaha armed with construction materials to ‘shore up’ several gaping holes in the bow of the vessel.
Disaster Relief
When any disaster strikes the speed of assistance can mean the difference between lives lost and those saved. That's why we're always prepared, trained and ready to assist when called upon. During the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami the New Zealand and Australia ANZAC spirit was reignited, working together to provide assistance to those in need.
More recently the Navy's Operational Dive Team (ODT) were sent to Tonga after the vessel PRINCESS ASHIKA went down. The team, in a combined operation with teams from the Tonga Defence Force and Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team operating from the Tonga Defence Services Vessel VOEA PANGAI, located the sunken vessel PRINCESS ASHIKA using the RNZN REMUS sonar system. The arrival of HMNZS MANAWANUI allowed the team to conduct further reconnaissance operations using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
Get involved
If this is something you really want to get involved in, then the Royal New Zealand Navy could be the place for you. And, as you can see, there are lots of opportunities to take part in operations around the world.
Find out more about the jobs mentioned above.
> Warfare Officer
> Hydrographic Systems Operator
> Communications Officer
> Diver
> Marine Technician
You can also find out about our most recent missions and stories in our Global Deployment Map or Postcards from Overseas.