Navy crews deal with ‘worst day ever’
A toxic gas leak, a fire below deck, and two armed defences against a potential enemy threat – all before lunchtime: It was a bad day for the navy’s HMNZS Te Mana.
However, that was how it was designed to be.
This week was Fleet Shakedown Week, a training event run by the Royal New Zealand Navy to blow the cobwebs of a summer holiday away, and hone the skills of the new company aboard the Te Mana.
The idea was to give the 620 sailors taking part the ‘‘worst day ever – every day’’, to test the crew in different environments over the past week.
The Maritime Operational Evaluation Team instigated and oversaw the series of simulated ‘‘worst-case scenario’’ days.
Commander Yvonne Gray said this team threw ‘‘flood, fires and famines’’ each day with increasing complexity.
‘‘So they can deal with their worst day ever, any day that they might be given it,’’ Gray said.
HMNZS Te Mana was joined by fellow frigate Te Kaha, as well as HMNZS Canterbury Otago and Wellington off Auckland, in the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
Commander Dave Fairweather said even though the week was about training for combat operation, things like fire and floods could happen at any time.
‘‘If they have the capacity to deal with anything, then we can apply that to real life,’’ he said.
‘‘We don’t train for war all the time, just enough to be ready for war at any time. ‘‘
After Fleet Shakedown Week, the special team will remain on board for six more weeks.