Nelson’s just the place to relax

COLIN SMITH/Fairfax NZ

AUSSIE VISITOR: The Royal Australian Navy’s Adelaide-class frigate HMAS Newcastle berthed at Port Nelson

Rest and recreation is the plan for the 206 crew members of the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle visiting Nelson this weekend.

The Adelaide-class ship arrived yesterday morning and is due to sail at 9am on Monday.

It’s at McGlashen Quay and won’t be open to the public.

Commander Cathy Knight, Nelson’s honorary naval liaison officer, said the crew had booked various activities around the region and had received an open invitation to join Returned and Services Association members at the Suburban Club in Tahunanui.

They will also be able to rub shoulders tonight with the crew of the Royal New Zealand Navy inshore patrol boat HMNZS Rotoiti, due to sail tomorrow.

Cdr Knight said the Newcastle had been conducting exercises with the New Zealand Navy off the coast of Western Australia, and was operating in New Zealand waters for a few weeks with HMAS Warramunga, conducting advanced navigation training.

Its Nelson visit would give the ship’s company a break after “a fairly busy period”, she said.

HMAS Newcastle was commissioned in December 1993 and has battle honours for service in East Timor and the Persian Gulf. It’s one of four Adelaide-class frigates remaining in the Australian navy.

– © Fairfax NZ News

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