As we glimpsed the last of the skyscrapers of Doha (capital city of Qatar), shimmering and growing smaller in the distance, it was almost as if the entire ships’ company took a collective intake of breath. We were at the start of what would be our longest patrol in the Arabian Gulf, and 21 days before we were to touch land again. The ship was looking forward to the challenge but was also keenly aware of the hard task at hand.

The first few days were filled with the standard operational requirements of the mission.  The boarding teams were by now proficient at Approach and Assist visits (AAVs) and by the end of the patrol we had conducted more than 165. 

To break up the routine, we had the pleasure of the US Coastguard onboard for a few days. They proved invaluable in providing assistance and expertise to our boarding team. The US Coastguard are recognised as experts in the field of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) boardings and are a benchmarking partner for the New Zealand Navy.

Replenishments at sea were also conducted regularly with USN Ships RAINIER, SAN JOSE, and KANAWHA.  Due to weather conditions, the Seasprite was employed to undertake a VERTREP of stores from a SAN JOSE to the ship.

Towards the end of the patrol, we met up with the HMS Edinburgh and conducted a day-long exchange of personnel with them. We also conducted a number of exercises with HMS Edinburgh, including a TOWEX, OOWMANS an cross deck helo operations. The RNZN's Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Tony Parr, embarked for the last two days of the patrol where he gained a feel for the activities we'd conducted to date.

To break the monotony of everyday life at sea, the crew worked hard to ensure that fun was also an integral part of the patrol.  One highlight was the 'Clash of the Ranks' eating competition.  The organisers had clearly used their imagination in devising a number of different events for competitors to enter, including the ubiquitous dry weet-bix eating competition and the more adventurous 'fish by mouth' relay (pictured). It was a tough contest, and a number of teams ended up on equal placing. However, the Petty Officers were the winners on the day.

The Ships company are now looking forward to a 10 day maintenance period in Jebel Ali before again setting out to patrol the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf.

By Major Lisa Ferris

Operation Summary 
The ship operated exclusively within international waters in the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf, a diverse area of around 20,000 square miles stretching from the Straits of Hormuz to a line stretching NE across the Gulf emanating from the border of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The main tasks involved developing a picture inside the Arabian Gulf of what normal patterns of activity were and engaging with the local mariners. This contributed to the CTF 152 aim of denying and disrupting attempts by terrorists to use the region in their activities whilst at the same time ensuring the unhindered use of the region for legitimate maritime uses such as fishing, gas and oil production and general trade.

These operations assisted in creating a secure environment on the seas, which led to local and regional stability and prosperity.  Because of the high volume of commercial traffic that flows in and out of this region, maritime security has an impact on global economic prosperity as well.