- Source: HMNZS Rotoiti (2007)
HMNZS Rotoiti was a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Previously used for border and fishery protection patrols in New Zealand, Rotoiti was decommissioned in 2019. Together with its sister Pukaki, the vessel was sold to Ireland for use by the Irish Naval Service in 2022. Rotoiti was renamed and commissioned into Irish service, as LÉ Aoibhinn, in September 2024.
New Zealand service
The vessel was fitted out in Whangārei and on 20 November 2007 started contractor sea trials. After delays due to problems with gear and fittings, she was commissioned on 17 April 2009, and arrived at the Devonport Naval Base for the first time on 24 April 2009. HMNZS Rotoiti was the first of her class to be commissioned in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Rotoiti was the third boat of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and named after Lake Rotoiti.
Rotoiti was decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base on 17 October 2019. Regulatory changes in 2012 resulted in operating restrictions around speed and sea states being imposed on them. Subsequently, the RNZN assessed them as no longer being suited to the heavy seas typically encountered off New Zealand and further afield, for which Protector-class offshore patrol vessels were more suited.
Irish service
In 2022, Rotoiti, along with her sister Pukaki, was sold to Ireland for use by the Irish Naval Service. The two vessels arrived in Ireland in May 2023. Rotoiti was commissioned into Irish service, as LÉ Aoibhinn, in September 2024.
See also
Patrol boats of the Royal New Zealand Navy
References
External links
Media related to IMO 9368493 at Wikimedia Commons
Vessel web page on navy.mil.nz (archived 2020)