Lake-class inshore patrol vessel

Class of inshore patrol vessels

The Lake class inshore patrol vessel (also known as the Rotoiti class and the Protector class) is a ship class of inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and planned for the Irish Naval Service which replaced the RNZN's s in 2007–2008. All four vessels are named after New Zealand lakes. Following long running Navy retention problems in the wake of NZDF "civilianisation", two of the four vessels were tied up, inactive, in a 'Reduced Activity Period' for long periods between 2013 and 2018. In June 2019 the New Zealand Government announced that two of the patrol vessels would be withdrawn from service, and they were decommissioned in October that year. Both were later sold to the Irish Naval Service.

Conceived as part of Project Protector, the Ministry of Defence acquisition project to acquire one multi role vessel, two offshore and four inshore patrol vessels. The Project Protector vessels were to be operated by the RNZN to conduct tasks for and with the New Zealand Customs Service, the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime New Zealand, and New Zealand Police. The future duties will include maritime surveillance and boarding, support to civilian agencies such as the customs service and search and rescue duties.

The IPVs will normally be used for inshore tasks within of the coastline. The ships were intended to have the ability to patrol (including receiving vertical replenishment) in up to sea state 5 (seas rough, waves ) and have the ability to survive in conditions of up to sea state 8 (seas very high, waves ). However, boat deployment and recovery will be limited to sea state 4 (seas moderate, waves ). These parameters are much more capable than the Moa class which they replace. On 13 March 2022 the Irish Department of Defence confirmed the acquisition of the two retired Lake class IPVs, HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki for €26 million. The two Lake class ships are due to replace the Irish Naval vessels LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. Both Lake class IPVs underwent restoration work to bring them to Lloyd's Classification in New Zealand before they were transported to Ireland. The vessels arrived in Cork Harbour on 14 May 2023 after departing New Zealand in early April aboard the heavy lift vessel Happy Dynamic. These ships are expected to operate primarily in the Irish Sea and off Ireland's South East coast and likely be based in the port of Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin. The vessels may also undergo an armament upgrade from the current three 12.7mm HMGs, to a 30mm or 40mm main gun. On 5 April 2024, the Irish Department of Defence announced that the vessels would be (re)named LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait.

+ Name Pennant no. Commissioned Decommissioned Status P3568 14 May 2009 17 October 2019 Sold to Ireland, undergoing refit P3569 17 April 2009 17 October 2019 Sold to Ireland, undergoing refit P3570 29 May 2009 In active service P3571 1 May 2009 In active service LÉ Aoibhinn P71 Planned for 2024 Delivered to Ireland, former HMNZS Pukaki LÉ Gobnait P72 Planned for 2024 Delivered to Ireland, former HMNZS Rotoiti