Commanding ship exciting challenge
KEEPING tabs on illegal fishing vessels, helping with search and rescue operations, providing humanitarian aid and even delivering hundreds of bras are all part and parcel of commanding HMNZS Otago.
And its new commanding officer, Lieutenantcommander Lorna Gray, is loving every second of it.
The 35yearold former Taieri resident recently became the first female commander of a Royal New Zealand Navy protectorclass offshore patrol vessel, and yesterday was the first time she had returned to Dunedin aboard the Otago
since taking over.
‘‘There’s a proud moment when you’re taking a ship up the harbour [regardless of your position] when it’s your home port.
‘‘But certainly, as the commanding officer, it makes it all that more special.
‘‘It was a homecoming of sorts.’’
Ltcmdr Gray said the role had been very exciting, mixed with plenty of challenges, and like every sailor, she was enjoying visits to some ‘‘amazing’’ remote and unusual places.
‘‘There’s quite a diverse range of activities.
‘‘When we went into Vanuatu, we dropped off bras for Project Uplift, which got distributed to the local women.
‘‘And when we were in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands, we helped at a domestic violence centre, did some grounds work, helped with the kids and fixed whatever they needed fixing.
‘‘During the week we’ll be doing a fishing patrol, deterring illegal fishermen. And then when we’re on a port visit, we engage with the local community.’’
Despite the serious business of looking after the ship’s 70 crew members and the multimilliondollar naval vessel, Ltcmdr Gray is looking forward to taking HMNZS
Otago into the Southern Ocean for the first time.
‘‘That’s pretty special. We get to go to many faraway Pacific Islands that normal cruise ships don’t go to.
‘‘[But] how many New Zealanders get to go to the Kermadecs or the subantarctic islands?’’
Before departing for the Southern Ocean tomorrow, she plans to make the most of some shore leave, and her first ports of call will be to catch up with friends near her former home on the Taieri Plain.
After patrolling the Southern Ocean, Otago will return to Dunedin in midDecember, for new orders.