The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) is to deploy its dive tender HMNZS Manawanui and the principal survey vessel HMNZS Resolution on a mine exercise in the New Caledonia Lagoon from 5-20 November 2009.

The two navy ships along with the Navy Operational Diving Team and Navy Mine Countermeasure Team will participate in the exercise to search, locate, identify and dispose of ordnance located within the New Caledonian lagoon.

The 911t, 43.6m-long HMNZS Manawanui has an operational range of over 5,000nm, and can carry a crew of 20 and move at a speed of 11kt.

As the RNZN principal survey ship, Resolution is used to survey and chart the waters in and around New Zealand and the Pacific.

The 2,262t, 68m-long ship can carry a crew of 44 at a cruising seed of 12kt.

Upon completion of the exercise, the ships and their supporting teams are expected to return Devonport Naval Base on 28 November 2009.