In 2023, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) sold two of their Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) to the Irish Navy.
The two vessels had been berthed and unused at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland for extended period. Because the IPVs had been out of service for a long period, a major regeneration and refit was required to make them operable again, followed by a comprehensive programme of Contract Acceptance Trials (CAT) at berth and sea.
The RNZN was in a period of high operational tempo, so they turned to Serco for help.
For several weeks, from February to March, our team of Serco colleagues and subcontractors crewed the two vessels, responsible for the safe operation of the vessel and successful conduct of the CAT programme. In this tight window between completion of the refit and the scheduled transportation of the IPVs to Ireland, the team worked many long days, overcoming numerous challenges.
On Thursday 23rd March, the IPV crew were at sea in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, with the end of the CAT programme in sight. Suddenly, at 6.26pm, as another long day of trials began drawing to a close, the team received a distress call from another vessel. A recreational 40ft yacht with two elderly crew members had lost power and was taking on water.
The RHIB arrived at the yacht at the same time as the New Zealand Coastguard and Police. Given the size and manoeuvrability of the RHIB, coupled with the skills and experience of our crew, it was determined that our colleagues were best positioned to aid the vessel in distress.
The IPV crew members boarded the yacht and quickly identified the problem: a defective bilge pump and disconnected drainpipe. Rectifying that issue, they then aided the distressed yacht crew in re-establishing propulsion for their vessel. All repairs were completed by 9.55pm. Once returned to a functioning state, the yacht was able to travel back to its home marina in Gulf Harbour, Auckland.
Less than 24 hours later, on Friday 24th March, the Serco IPV crew celebrated the successful completion of the CAT programme and returned to port, handing over the IPVs to await their journey to Ireland.
