HMNZS Moa (P3553) was a Moa-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. It was commissioned in 1983 for the Naval Volunteer Reserve and decommissioned in 2007.

History
New Zealand
NamesakeHMNZS Moa (T233)
OwnerMaria Kuster & Sean Ellis
OperatorPure Salt
BuilderWhangarei Engineering and Construction Company
Commissioned28 Nov 1983
Decommissioned23 Jan 2007
RenamedFlightless
Identification
FateDecommissioned
General characteristics
Class and typeMoa-class inshore patrol vessel
Displacement91.5 ton standard; 105 ton full load
Length27 m (89 ft)
Beam6.1 m (20 ft)
Draught2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
PropulsionTwo Cummins diesels (710 hp) Twin shafts
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi)
Complement18: 5 Officers: 3 Senior Rates: 10 Ratings
Sensors and
processing systems
Navigation Radar Racal Decca 916 I Band
Armament1 × 12.7mm MG

Moa was the second ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and was named after the Moa bird from New Zealand.

After she was decommissioned in January 2007, she was sold on in March to a Picton builder who renamed the vessel Flightless. On Friday 20 June 2008 the vessel, moored at anchor on the eastern side of Waikawa Bay, Picton, was struck by a commercial fishing boat, with the loss of two lives aboard the fishing boat.[1] After an extensive refit Flightless is now owned by Pure Salt Ltd and operates as an expedition vessel, providing adventure charters in Fiordland & Stewart Island.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Paul Mulrooney, Two die in boat crash, Dominion Post, front page, 21–22 June 2008.