Arriving in Auckland on 23.07.2010. The ship has just done a 180 degree turn in the inner harbour and is heading towards the Devonport Naval Base. The tall buildings of the Auckland CBD are in the background.
L 421 is a multi Role support Ship of 9000 tonnes displacement. LOA 131m , beam: 23.4m. Hull built by Merwede yard in the Netherlands, it is similar to Ben -My -Chree of the Isle of Man Steam packet co, with armaments fitted in Melbourne at Tenix ( now BaE systems ) yard. There has been a blast of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy day that has made the grey hull colour whiter looking than it really is.