Lake-class inshore patrol vessel

For other uses, seeProtector classandLake-class patrol vessel.

HMNZSRotoitiand HMNZSPukakiin 2010
Class overview
Name	Lake class
Builders	Tenix Defence,Whangarei
Operators	Royal New Zealand Navy Irish Naval Service
Preceded by	MoaclassRNZN Peacock-classcorvetteINS
Cost	NZ$35.8 million (2008) per unit
Built	2005–2008
In service	2009–present
In commission	2009–present
Completed	4
Active	2 (New Zealand) 2 (Ireland)
General characteristics
Type	Inshorepatrol vessel
Displacement	340 tonnes (loaded)
Length	55 m (180 ft)
Beam	9 m (30 ft)
Draught	2.9 m (9.5 ft)
Propulsion	TwoMAN B&W12VP185engines, each rated at 2,500 kW (3,400 hp) at 1,907 rpm ZF 7640 NR gearboxes Two controllable pitch propellers
Speed	Top speed 25knots(46 km/h; 29 mph) Patrol speed 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Range	3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 ×RHIBwith diesel-powered three-stage jet units
Complement	36 (includes 4 government agency staff and up to 12 others)
Armament	3 × 12.7 mmmachine guns Small arms
Notes

TheLake-class inshore patrol vessel(also known as theRotoiticlassand theProtector class) is aship classofinshorepatrol vessels(IPVs) of theRoyal New Zealand Navy(RNZN) and planned for theIrish Naval Servicewhich replaced the RNZN'sMoa-class patrol boatsin 2007–2008. All four vessels are named after New Zealand lakes.

Following long-running Navy retention problems in the wake of NZDF "civilianisation", two of the four vessels were tied up, inactive, in a 'Reduced Activity Period' for long periods between 2013 and 2018. In June 2019 the New Zealand Government announced that two of the patrol vessels would be withdrawn from service, and they were decommissioned in October that year. Both were later sold to the Irish Naval Service.

Design and construction

Conceived as part ofProject Protector,theMinistry of Defenceacquisition project to acquire one multi-role vessel, two offshore and four inshore patrol vessels. The Project Protector vessels were to be operated by the RNZN to conduct tasks for and with theNew Zealand Customs Service,theDepartment of Conservation,Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime New Zealand, andNew Zealand Police.The future duties will include maritime surveillance and boarding, support to civilian agencies such as the customs service and search and rescue duties.

Engine room of HMNZSHawea

The ships were built inWhangareibyTenix Defence,and are based on a modifiedsearch and rescuevessel for thePhilippine Coast Guard,with a different superstructure design. The cost for the four vessels was planned to be NZ$100 million.Friction stir weldingwas used in the construction of the superstructure, and Donovan Group being the first New Zealand company to use the technique, which is credited as having won them the contract for this part of the vessel's construction.

Capabilities and features

The IPVs will normally be used for inshore tasks within 24nautical miles(44 km; 28 mi) of the coastline.However, they will have operational ranges of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi). Together with their improved speed, this will be sufficient to intercept, for example, large off-shorefishing trawlersworking illegally in New Zealand waters.Each vessel was intended to achieve 290 available patrol days per year.

M212.7x99mm (.50-cal) machine gun on HMNZSHawea

The ships were intended to have the ability to patrol (including receivingvertical replenishment) in up tosea state5 (seas rough, waves 2.5–4 m (8.2–13.1 ft)) and have the ability to survive in conditions of up to sea state 8 (seas very high, waves 9–14 m (30–46 ft)). However, boat deployment and recovery will be limited to sea state 4 (seas moderate, waves 1.25–2.5 m (4.1–8.2 ft)). These parameters are much more capable than theMoaclass which they replace.Theshipbuilderclaims "the vessel is more than capable of extending the Crown's operational envelope toSouthern Oceanpatrol duties ".

Irish Naval Service

In August 2021, an article in theIrish Examinerreported that Ireland'sDepartment of Defencewas exploring the possibility of purchasing two of the Lake class inshore patrol vessels for theIrish Naval Service.It was reported that the ships would be used for fisheries protection and patrolling in theIrish Seafollowing Britain's exit from theEuropean Union.The Lake class vessels are seen as suitable for the calmer conditions of theIrish Sea,and would allow the larger offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) of the Irish naval fleet to focus onAtlantic Oceanoperations.

On 13 March 2022 the Irish Department of Defence confirmed the acquisition of the two retired Lake-class IPVs, HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki for €26 million. The two Lake-class ships are due to replace the Irish Naval vessels LÉOrlaand LÉCiara.Both Lake-class IPVs underwent restoration work to bring them to Lloyd's Classification inNew Zealandbefore they were transported to Ireland.The vessels arrived inCork Harbouron 14 May 2023 after departing New Zealand in early April aboard the heavy lift vessel Happy Dynamic.

These ships are expected to operate primarily in theIrish Seaand off Ireland's South East coast and likely be based in the port ofDún LaoghaireinCounty Dublin.The vessels may also undergo an armament upgrade from the current three 12.7mm HMGs, to a 30mm or 40mm main gun.On 5 April 2024, the Irish Department of Defence announced that the vessels would be (re)named LÉAoibhinnand LÉGobnait.

Ships in class

Royal New Zealand Navy
Name	Pennant no.	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Status
HMNZSPukaki	P3568	14 May 2009	17 October 2019	Sold to Ireland, undergoing refit
HMNZSRotoiti	P3569	17 April 2009	17 October 2019	Sold to Ireland, undergoing refit
HMNZSTaupo	P3570	29 May 2009		In active service
HMNZSHawea	P3571	1 May 2009		In active service
Irish Naval Service
LÉ Aoibhinn	P71	Planned for 2024		Delivered to Ireland, former HMNZSPukaki
LÉ Gobnait	P72	Planned for 2024		Delivered to Ireland, former HMNZSRotoiti

See also

• Protector-class offshore patrol vessel
• HMNZSCanterbury(L421)

External links

• Inshore Patrol Vessels – HMNZ Ships Rotoiti, Taupo, Hawea and Pukaki