NZ navy’s hydrographic vessel arrives home
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) new hydrographic and diving support vessel, HMNZS Manawanui, arrived in Wellington on 13 May after its 11,570nm delivery voyage from Denmark.
Formerly known as MV Edda Fonn, a commercial survey and light construction vessel, the RNZN purchased it second-hand from Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi for NZ$103 million ($69.1 million) in 2018.
The navy had originally wanted a new ship, but over-budget spending on the upgrade of two frigates scuppered that idea.
The 5,741t vessel arrived in Frederikshavn, Denmark in February 2019 after travelling from Norway. It was then outfitted with the
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