Te Kaha Patrols Gulf of Oman

While New Zealander's went on holiday, HMNZS Te Kaha prepared for a 35 day stint at sea with the multi-national task force. The ship’s company faced a high workload. With few other coalition ships available, the ship’s crew was very busy. The Te Kaha crew can be called on to check all sorts of ships, ranging from giant oil tankers, to big 'box boats' - container ships with containers stacked high above their decks - and even small dhows.

All ships in vicinity of the frigate are subjected to a close investigation, or a boarding. In a 'close investigation' Te Kaha sails close alongside the target ship, while the skipper is questioned by radio and the ship given a thorough visual inspection by Te Kaha's bridge team.

If, however, it is necessary to board the ship, or the multi-national task force commander requires a specific ship to be boarded, then the ship is approached and advised to stop, or sail ahead only very slowly. Meanwhile, Te Kaha's boarding party embarks in one of the frigate's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats and sails alongside the target ship. The big merchant ships are required to lower a 'Jacob's Ladder' for Te Kaha's sailors, who are then are faced with the vertical climb up the ship's side - over 20 m for some of the larger merchant ships.

The Seasprite helicopter has proved invaluable in conducting surveillance and inspections; when the boarding party is heading to a ship the Seasprite, armed with an M60 machine gun, provides cover and deters any possible hostility.

“Our ship is now an integral part of the task group and several of our operational suggestions have resulted in improved efficiency of coalition interdiction operations. January 3 was our record breaking day with the task force, with our Task Force Commander noting that Te Kaha ‘had an outstanding day of Operation Enduring Freedom Maritime Interdiction Operations proving that you could keep the pressure on by day and night breaking all records for the Gulf of Oman sector. Well done’”. Stated Lieutenant Commander Phil McBride in a recent report to the New Zealand media.