HMNZS Wellington (P-55) is a Protector class

Protector class OPV

The Protector-class offshore patrol vessel is a ship class of two offshore patrol vessel operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy since 2010. The ships are named and .-Key dates:...

 off-shore patrol vessel in the Royal New Zealand Navy

Royal New Zealand Navy

The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...

. The ship was built by Tenix as part of the New Zealand government's Royal New Zealand Navy plans, and was originally expected to enter service during the winter of 2008. However, in late 2008, it became known that the vessel was considered "sub-standard", and did not fulfill a number of specifications, such as being 100 tonnes overweight, making it unfit for Antarctic duties. The future crew that was already stationed with the vessel was sent back to New Zealand after the ship returned to Melbourne, until the dispute with the contractor was resolved. Wellington was accepted into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 6 May 2010 and arrived at the Devonport (Auckland) Naval Base the following month. The ship was also involved in the recent search for the crewmembers of the 47 ft. yacht the Bezerk but had to turn back due to the weather which the captain called the worst storm he had ever seen in 19 years. During that mission the ship lost 3 50 person life rafts of which one was discovered by the Sea Shepheard Vessel the Steve Irwin.

The ship is named in honour of HMNZS Wellington (F69), a Leander class

Leander class frigate

The Leander class, or Type 12I frigates, comprising twenty-six vessels, was among the most numerous and long-lived classes of frigate in the Royal Navy's modern history. The class was built in three batches between 1959 and 1973...

 frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1987 until 1999.

External links

• HMNZS Wellington official website