HMNZS Otago (P148) is a Protector class

Protector class OPV

The Protector-class offshore patrol vessel is a ship class of two offshore patrol vessel operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy since 2010. The ships are named and .-Key dates:...

 off-shore patrol vessel in service with the Royal New Zealand Navy

Royal New Zealand Navy

The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...

.

The ship was built by Tenix as part of the New Zealand government's Royal New Zealand Navy plans, and was expected to enter service in late 2008. She was launched

Ship naming and launching

The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...

 in Williamstown, Victoria

Williamstown, Victoria

Williamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Williamstown had a population of 12,733....

 on 18 November 2006 and sponsored by Dame Silvia Cartwright

Silvia Cartwright

Dame Silvia Rose Cartwright, PCNZM, DBE, QSO, DStJ was the 18th Governor-General of New Zealand.She is a graduate of the University of Otago, where she gained her LL.B degree in 1967, and a former student at Otago Girls' High School.- Public life and family :In 1989, she became the first female...

. The first commanding officer of Otago is to be Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke MNZM.

Otago has suffered delays in delivery. In late 2008, it became known that the vessel was not considered to meet all contract specifications, including exceeding design displacement. The initial crew stationed in Melbourne to commission the vessel returned to New Zealand while the build was completed. On 18 February 2010, the ship was accepted into the RNZN with a claim that the slightly overweight issue will not stop it from patrolling in Antarctic waters. Sister ship Wellington is due to be accepted in April 2010. In mid March 2010, the vessel developed problems in both engines during sea trials, and had to limp back into port in Australia, instead of arriving in Auckland as originally planned.

HMNZS Otago arrived in the New Zealand Port of Auckland in April 2010, nearly two years after the target date.

HMNZS Otago made its first visit to its home port of Port Chalmers on 22 July 2010. This visit will be for a few days including a foray further up the harbour to Dunedin after which it will enter active service.

The ship is named in honour of the province of Otago associated with the city of Dunedin.

The previous HMNZS Otago (F111), was a Rothesay-class

Rothesay class frigate

The Rothesay class, or Type 12M frigates were a class of frigates serving with the Royal Navy, South African Navy and the New Zealand Navy....

 frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

 serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1960 until 1983. Otagos pennant number

Pennant number

In the modern Royal Navy, and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth, ships are identified by pennant numbers...

 recalls HMNZS Taranaki (F148).

External links

• HMNZS Otago official website