What peeked my interest in the skipper article was the paragraph about painting them up as Coastguard vessels, this in my opinion would have been a good idea, same as the OPV's, these are not war fighting ships, they are patrol ships, both classes shouldn't be in navy grey. From the sounds of it they will be good vessels and a major asset to NZ.
I know some say paint them other than grey but often those comments seem to be quoted by someone who has a chip on their shoulder about these vessels. Now I'm in no way suggesting you do but the article quoted an 'old salt' who obviously felt that way! Not that I completely disagree with some of that sentiment I guess!
Navies around the world use all nature of vessels for various non-combative roles & no-one has a problem with them being grey. Take the RN River class - they're only slightly better armed (although better spec'd) than our OPV's, and our OPV's (will) have more flexibility than the Rivers with the ability to fully deploy a chopper - but we don't see calls to paint the Rivers anythng other than Grey (or do we?)
Navy owned & operated = the right to wear grey in my book.
Painted grey they are immediately recognisable by everyone as a naval vessel - the grey carries an immediate air of authority, regardless of what firepower there is behind it. Foreign commercial / civvy vessel crews will be in no doubt that the IPV's represent the NZ Govt and will be prepared to employ a degree of force if required. :nutkick
If the IPV's were any other colour then it could be argued there is likely to be an element of 'what authority does this vessel represent & what power do they have?' - especially by foreign crews who won't be as familiar with our vessels. Unlike a number of other places foreign crews sail, our coastguard is a voluntary SAR organisation only. Imagine a foerign vessel crew doing a runner & trying the excuse - 'well it didn't look like a Naval vessel your honour'.:unknown
Grey removes the doubt (unless you want to see the word 'NAVY' in large letters on the side (yuck!)
nfloorl:
Also remember that the IPV's could fill a limited military role - the key one I see would be to provide protection for Naval vessels moored in our harbours - not only providing their own presence but acting as mother-ship for RHIB teams as they remain close in around the moored vessels to prevent swimmers, small craft etc. They would be excellent for such a role - which is effectively an extension of the patrol role. I wonder if being grey could possibly be helpful in this sort of role? :unknown
Manawanui, Reslution, even Kahu are all grey - and they are less armed! Reckon the should stay grey too!
