HMNZS Resolution (A14)

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HMNZS Resolution
HMNZS Resolution
Career (United States (USN))
Name: USNS Tenacious
Ordered: 20 February 1987
Builder: VT Halter Marine, Inc., Moss Point, Mississippi
Laid down: 26 February 1988
Launched: 17 February 1989
Commissioned: 29 September 1989
Struck: 6 February 1997
Fate: Sold to New Zealand
Career (New Zealand (RNZN)) RNZN ensign
Name: HMNZS Resolution
Namesake: HMS Resolution
Acquired: 6 February 1997
Homeport: Gisborne[1]
Status: Active as of 2009
General characteristics
Class and type: Stalwart class ocean surveillance ship
Displacement: 2,262 tonnes
Length: 68 metres (223 ft)
Beam: 13 metres (43 ft)
Draught: 4.4 metres (14 ft)
Propulsion: Four Caterpillar D398B diesel generators 3,200 hp (2.4 MW)
Twin shafts. Bow thruster 550 hp (410 kW)
Speed: 11 knots (20 km/h)
Range: 21,500 nautical miles (39,800 km)
Boats and landing
craft carried:
(SMB) Adventure
Complement: 41 (7 officers, 34 ratings)
Max accommodation: 45

HMNZS Resolution (A14) is the hydrographic ship of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Originally the United States Naval Ship USNS Tenacious (T-AGOS-17), the Stalwart class ocean surveillance ship was used by the United States to locate and track Soviet submarines from 1989 to 1997, when she was transferred to the RNZN for use as a hydrographic survey ship.

Construction

The ship's construction contract was awarded 20 February 1987 to Halter Marine, Inc of Moss Point, Mississippi, under then name Intrepid. Her keel was laid down 26 February 1988, she was launched 17 February 1989 and commissioned as USNS Tenacious on 29 September 1989.

Operational history

United States

File:USNS Tenacious (T-AGOS-17).jpg
The ocean surveillance ship USNS Tenacious (T-AGOS-17), foreground, and USNS Contender (T-AGOS-2) lie tied up at Bishop's Point, Pearl Harbor, 1991.

USNS Tenacious (T-AGOS-17) was a Stalwart class ocean surveillance ship. During the Cold War, Ocean Surveillance Ships patrolled the world's oceans searching for Soviet Navy submarines. Their data was collected using the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS), consisting of listening devices and electronic equipment that transmit the acoustic data via satellite to shore for analysis. SURTASS is a linear array of 8,575 feet (2,614 m) deployed on a 6,000-foot (1,800 m) tow cable and neutrally buoyant. The array can operate at depths between 500 and 1,500 feet (150 and 460 m).

Tenacious was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and sold to New Zealand on 6 February 1997.

New Zealand

HMNZS Resolution replaced HMNZ Ships Tui and Monowai as the Navy's primary Survey and Acoustic Research Vessel. She undertakes various marine survey tasks, including for the Land Information New Zealand agency.[1]

She is named after the sailing vessel HMS Resolution, used by Captain James Cook, RN, during his second and third voyages to New Zealand between 1772 and 1779, thus recognising the extensive hydrographic survey work Cook and his team completed.

HMNZS Resolution also provides a scholarship for under-privileged high school students to participate in a 10 day passage on the Spirit of New Zealand, and sometimes embarks university and high school students as part of the 'Students at Sea' program.[1]

The inshore Survey Motor Boat (SMB) Adventure is operated as a tender from HMNZS Resolution.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 HMNZS Resolution - Navy Today, Defence Public Relations Unit, Issue 133, 08 June, Page 30

External links