Benefits
Centrally located for ease of deployment to either north or south. With south seas deployments to the Southern Ocean being the norm rather than the exception it is vital our ships and crews have a quicker trip.
The major assets our Army has is based at Waiouru, Linton and and Trentham. The majority of these are based at Linton, 3 - 4 hours by road (or rail) and straight onto new wharves at base of Ngauranga Gorge and on to Canterbury. Also a railhead to transfer capital equipment from northern bases.
Seasprite (and NH90's) will be moving from Whenuapai to Ohakea also a short trip to Wellington for deploying to helo-capable vessels.
Wellington, as a deep water port will take any sized ship (depth averages at 20m.). Currently I have all ships of the RNZN based in Port Nicholson (Whanganui a tara) except the IPV's which will retain a presence in the Auckland area.
Access to harbour tugs.
There is room for one more structure - a floating dock big enough to house Aotearoa if required. Thinking Wellington back in the day. This would be a civvy run affair with all Navy ships taking precedence over civvy requirements. My guess that will be slightly northeast from the proposed wharves (towards Petone).
So why HMNZS Neptune?? In WWII the greatest casualty for NZ ships was the sinking of HMS Neptune in the Med with 150 Kiwi's losing their lives. Stands to reason this base bear that name as a testament to them.
Here is my (very rough) drawing. Not to scale but for effect.
If you want to have your say - there is a Reply box at end of this blog.
Added 3/9/19
Word is there are two other options, Picton or Whangarei. The pros:
Whangarei - deep water harbour but restricted for space for shore facilities
Picton - centralised.
Cons:
Whangarei, moving the facilities and infrastructure away from a centralised area.
Picton, though central and deep water channels easy to block with sunken ships etc.
Your idea has possibility's, however if we ever get more than two frigate type vessels there isn't much room for expansion, also the possibility of a Large earthquake could wreck the entire facility.
ReplyDeleteYou have to take seismic events into the equation yes, but the whole country is prone to a once in a hundred year quake. And if the Government deems it "safe" to have Parliament and infrastructure in Wellington then not an issue.
DeleteNot a major issue as I see it. The 3rd (and/or 4th) frigate can be stationed in Auckland with the OPV.s.
DeleteNot as silly as some would think ......this an option that makes more sense than lytelton or whangarei
ReplyDeleteLyttelton will require significant infrastructure expenditure involving significant reclamation and dredging work because there is not available suitable land that has deep water anchorage for a base. It would be a cost prohibitive exercise.
DeleteWhangarei is a great option because it would also allow for the construction of an airfield at the base for naval aviation and RNZAF and allied / coalition fixed and rotary wing access.
I actually like that idea re airfield. I see also someone says Fleet Base North and South (split assets) though I disagree the location of South (Dunedin is a navigational nightmare and the Port Otago wharves can no longer support deep draft vessels.) Wellington for Aotearoa, Canterbury, Manawanui (alternates between FBN and FBS) one frigate and one each OPV/IPV. FBN has one ANZAC, One OPV and one IPV with Fleet Air Arm and Manawanui (alternates)
DeleteOf course Wellington is on shaky ground but then again who knows when Auckland is going to blow.
ReplyDeleteSorry cobber, Wellington is too much of a geologic hazard due to earthquakes and tsunami. If for any reason the harbour entrance was blocked or when there was a repeat of the 8.2 magnitude 1855 Wairarapa earthquake where there was a 6 m uplift, the fleet would be trapped.
ReplyDeleteActually the fleet would be better served with a two base model. Fleet Base North (FBN) at Whangarei by Marsden Point, where there is deep water and plenty of room to expand; and Fleet Base South (FBS) in Otago Harbour, probably Dunedin. FBS would be a smaller base catering for the Southern Ocean / Antarctic patrol vessels and Southern Region patrol vessels and whole of govt support OPs (DOC, MPI, etc.,).
Like the location for FBN (see comments above) but not Dunedin. A navigators nightmare and restricted in speed/channels.
DeleteAnd to add, the whole country is prone to a Big One. I remember well seeing the Lyttelton wharves in around 1880ish the harbour had a huge tsunami and again the whole country- is prone to a significant event. FBN yes agree, FBS for me Wellington is close to a quick harbour exit and into deep water inside 45 minutes from those berths.
any shift should be north .. wayy north .. doubtless bay north .. let the posidons fly out of kaitaia airport .. all our threats are from the north .. anything coming from the south has fur
ReplyDeleteFunniest thing I have read in ages.
ReplyDelete