Tri-Service

Warship Accused Of 'Maritime Hoonery'

HMAS Warramunga, Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy

Residents of the Malborough Sounds situated at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island are demanding an apology after a warship engaged in an act of 'maritime hoonery'.

The Australian Navy's HMAS Warramunga is alleged to have excessively sped through the area as well as conducting high speed turns during a training exercise.

A salmon farm suffered minor damage and a boat was dangerously slammed into a wharf by the wake from the Anzac Class frigate.

Read: Ten Things You Need To Know About Australia's Military

Civilian ships and ferries are limited to speeds of between 15 and 18 knots in the region, the Australian Navy however has confirmed that the Warramunga was travelling much faster.

"Royal Australian Navy ships make every effort to operate with full consideration of the environment and local conditions. Warramunga was aware of, and sensitive to, local aquaculture farms in the area," the RAN spokesperson said.

"The Navy notified the harbourmaster they would be operating in the Sounds between February 22 and 26, and that they would reach speeds of up to 24 knots."

Deputy harbourmaster Luke Grogan confirmed he'd received 12 complaints about the warship's actions, all "expressed concern about the size of the wake."

Mr Grogan added: "I have spoken with the commander of the warship. He says he is making every effort to operate with full consideration to the environment,"

"There's obvious reasons why they don't fall into the New Zealand regulatory regime. But the commander of the frigate wanted to make clear that although they're not compelled by civilian law, they certainly only want to operate in a way that is acceptable to the people of Marlborough."

Australian and New Zealand navies frequently train in the extensive network of 'sea-drowned' valleys, honing navigational skills. However salmon, mussel and crab fishermen in the area have repeatedly complained of damage to fisheries by ships travelling at excessive speeds.

In 1986 a Russian cruise liner passing through the area miscalculated the depth of a channel, collided with rocks and sank. Now lying just 12 metres below the surface the Mikhail Lermontov is one of the world's greatest diving sites

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