Engine problems aboard the Royal New Zealand Navy offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago have been resolved, and the ship has left Melbourne on its maiden voyage to Auckland.

HMNZS Otago sets sail for New Zealand

16 April 2010

Engine problems that delayed the maiden voyage of the Royal New Zealand Navy offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago have been resolved and the 1,900-tonne ship left Melbourne for Auckland on 1 April, prime contractor BAE Systems Australia told Jane's.

The OPV was accepted from the contractor on 18 February but experienced difficulties with both its MAN engines during sea trials off Melbourne on 21 March, delaying its trans-Tasman voyage by more than a week.

ADM understands that she sailed slowly because she was not scheduled to reach Devonport until Friday 16 April, apparently because the Minister couldn't get there to make a welcome speech any earlier...