Modification and regeneration programme give IPVs new lease of life in Ireland

The major regeneration and modification of two formerly decommissioned New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) has been completed at the Devonport Dockyard ahead of the ships’ handover to the Irish Naval Service (INS).

Babcock was appointed by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in March 2022 to undertake the maintenance and upgrade program after the IPVs were purchased by the Republic of Ireland.

According to Babcock’s Program Director in New Zealand, Mark Worsfold, incorporating a supply chain of local businesses helped Babcock achieve the successful delivery of the former New Zealand Navy ships Rotoiti and Pukaki to the INS.

“Babcock has been able to invest significantly into the New Zealand economy, partnering with nearly 30 New Zealand businesses to form an extensive and trusted supply chain,” he said.

“Our partnership with the NZDF is focussed on building long term collaborative relationships with New Zealand businesses to deliver broader economic outcomes. This regeneration project is another great demonstration on what New Zealand industry can achieve together.”

Babcock engaged Lloyds Register to provide classification and survey on work undertaken such as overhauls of main and auxiliary engines, installation of electrical and platform management systems as well as hull and propeller preservation work. Babcock also worked closely with the INS to integrate equipment currently used across the rest of the Irish Naval fleet.

The two vessels were picked up from Auckland on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 April, heavy lift ship Happy Dynamic for their 33 day voyage to Cork, Ireland. They were delivered in May to the Irish naval base at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour where they are due to undergo a refit before being used primarily for fishery protection patrols on Ireland’s east coast

Babcock also built the Samuel Beckett class offshore patrol vessels for the INS and has since been contracted to install a variable speed drive system for the central cooling onboard.

In 2022, Rotoiti and Pukaki were purchased by Irish Department of Defence for €26m for use by the Irish Naval Service.

Rotoiti was commissioned on 17 April 2009 (the first of her class to be commissioned in the RNZN), and arrived at the Devonport Naval Base on 24 April 2009. The third boat of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and named after Lake Rotoiti, the vessel was decommissioned at Devonport on 17 October 2019.

Pukaki was launched in Whangarei Harbour on 6 May 2008, and was the third ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy (named after Lake Pukaki). The vessel was decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base on 17 October 2019.