HMNZS Hawea Military Ship Details

The Lake class consists of four inshore patrol vessels built for the Royal New Zealand Navy under Project Protector and commissioned in 2009. Also known as the Rotoiti class, the ships were designed for maritime security and support to civil agencies within New Zealand’s coastal waters and near-shore Exclusive Economic Zone. They feature a shallow draught suited to inshore operations, two rigid-hull inflatable boats, and facilities to embark personnel from Customs, Fisheries, Police and other government agencies. Two of the original four vessels were later sold to the Irish Naval Service, leaving HMNZS Taupo and HMNZS Hawea in RNZN service.