Tokelau
A hard to reach place
Pacific Islands need modern infrastructure and equipment to support homes, schools, businesses and hospitals with sustainable water and power. But the Tokelau atolls - Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo – have no runway and no wharf that can handle a supply ship. So how do you get 48 water tanks and around 150 tonnes of materials, from cargo deck to flight deck, then from ship to shore, while at the same time having no physical contact with the Tokelau people due to COVID-19 restrictions? The Navy has the answer.
4 November 2020
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Canterbury sets sail to deliver much-needed infrastructure, including water tanks and solar panels, to the three main atolls of Tokelau. The ship also stops in the Kermadec Islands to assist other New Zealand Government agencies with re-supply and maintenance activities on Raoul Island.
This is one of the most complex NZDF operations of the year carried out by logistics supply vessel HMNZS Canterbury, with Army and Air Force support, all while observing COVID-19 protocols.
Canterbury is often used for humanitarian relief, getting people and equipment to difficult places. It has two 60-tonne cranes to handle cargo transfers when the ship is on shore, plus a drive-on, drive-off ability through side and stern cargo doors. But Tokelau, situated about 600 nautical miles from the equator, has no wharf facilities for Canterbury to dock against, and no runway. Even the ship’s landing craft can’t navigate the shallow reefs. It has to be done by air. HMNZS Canterbury utilises two NH90s and one Seasprite helicopter for the job.
200
personnel coordinate over 200 movements of freight within the ship to the flight deck
A team of over 200 personnel coordinate over 200 movements of freight within the ship to the flight deck. Tanks are transferred to the water and towed ashore using the ship’s seaboats, or airlifted ashore using the helicopters. HMNZS Canterbury carries a team of Army logistics experts – the Ship’s Amphibious Load Team – to coordinate the movements on ship and at landing sites on shore.
A particularly vital delivery is a new generator for Atafu atoll. With their previous generator burnt out, the atoll is running on emergency backup, and they are desperate for a replacement to keep power running at the school and hospital.
Mitigating any risk of COVID-19 reaching Tokelau during the operation is a major priority. All personnel working on the island are screened for COVID-19 before leaving the ship, and they maintain at least a 4-metre distance from any locals and wear PPE while performing their tasks. Communication is done by radio.
24 November 2020
With the operation complete, HMNZS Canterbury returns home. The mission demonstrates how the NZDF can put a system and plan in place to operate in a COVID-19 environment in a safe and effective manner with minimal loss of capability.