HMNZS RESOLUTION, the RNZN’s principal hydrographic survey vessel will decommission from service at a formal ceremony in the Devonport Naval Base on Friday 27 April 2012.
Media are invited to the event which will be attended by the Chief of Navy and other senior military dignitaries. During the ceremony the Ship’s New Zealand White Ensign will be lowered and the entire ship’s company will march off the ship, with the final person to depart being the Commanding Officer.
“The ceremony on Friday will provide a fitting closure for this unique ship that has served the people of New Zealand admirably,” says Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Tony Parr.
The last act of the ceremony will be the Commanding Officer returning the symbol of Command for HMNZS RESOLUTION – ‘Tewhatewha’, to the Chief of Navy. Each RNZN ship carries a symbol of command, which is passed between Commanding Officers. RESOLUTION has a Tewhatewha (or small axe) as its symbol, which will be returned to the Navy Museum on completion of the decommissioning events.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , April 26, 2012; Image: RNZN