NAVAL LAUNCH’S VISIT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 6, 17 March 1947, Page 5

NAVAL LAUNCH’S VISIT

COASTAL PATROL UNIT FRIENDLY PUBLIC INTEREST Trim and sleek, the coastal patrol motor launch 1183, slipped up-harbour last Friday morning, the first unit of the Royal New Zealand Navy to honour the port of Whakatane with an official call. The launch which is engaged in patrol work for the Fisheries Department, is covering the \yhole of the Auckland Naval area (Cape Runaway to North Cape), as is now in the process of v paying its initial visit to the smaller ports on the East Coast.

Under Lieutenant B. E. Turner, R.N.Z.N., and Skipper J. W. Brown R.N.Z.N.R., the crew of eight were made welcome by the townspeople, and the vessel with the white ensign -flying from its masthead was the subject of considerable public interest over the two days of its visit. There was a large crowd at the wharf side most of the time.. The younger generation were particularly conspicuous, and at one .period actually invaded the craft and had to be ordered ashore.

.The launch which is 75ft. long is American built, and is capable of developing a good turn of speed under its dual deisel units. She will probably became a regular visitor to Whakatane, as it is the intention of her commander to make periodic trips to the Bay of Plenty in order to safeguard and to enforce the .Fishing Regulations, which it is recognised have been only loosely interpreted by many of the seine fishing trawlers in this. area. The importance of protecting the spawning beds during the breeding season is one which always had an important bearing upon the supply of fish from the existing grounds off the New Zealand coast. Patrol vessel 1183 can develop us to 15 knots and is also fitted with radar and other devices for-detecting outlaw trawlers engaged in illicit operations. In more northern waters, in conjunction with her sister craft, the work will be carried out in conjunction with a flying boat.

NAVAL HOSPITALITY

CITIZENS ENTERTAINED Despite her limited size, the launch on Friday evening, accommodated some 24 guests in the persons of 12 representatives of local bodies and their wives, who attended a pleasant social hour as the guests of the officers. The guests as they arived were introduced by the Mayor (Mr B. S. Barry) t # hrough appreciation of the courtesy extended, and were afterwards conducted over the vessel and later entertained in.typical naval fashion by Lieutenants Turner and Brown. The neatness and compactness of the little craft were a never-ending source of interest and surprise to visitors who expressed the greatest apreciation of the courtsey extended them.

In thanking the hosts, Mr Barry said that the first naval vessel to visit the port had extended its hospitality in typical naval fashion, and all present joined in expressing their appreciation for the very pleasant nature of their visit. Whakatane would look forward to seeing them again on their next trip.

Mr J. L. Burnett for county residents extended a cordial welcome, thanked the crew for their hospitality and hoped the visit would soon be repeated.

Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., added that the navy had entertained on water, it was now up to the local bodies to entertain the navy on land on the occasion of their next visit. (Applause). Captain Brown declared that if all had enjoyed themselves as much as they had then the gathering had been very successful and he trusted would make for continued friendships in the town.