The historic World War II Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) Kuparu is drifting in the Tasman Sea. A post on reddit first highlighted the news that 72-foot classic wooden vessel’s crew had been rescued early Sunday morning by rescue helicopter following a series of mechanical and electric failures. An emergency call triggered the early Sunday morning rescue off Ninety Mile Beach.
The incident has sparked an amount of concern across New Zealand’s maritime community, with many mourning the potential loss of one of the world’s last operational vessels of its kind.
Kuparu, the 1943 built anti-submarine patrol craft had previously been in the service of the Royal New Zealand Navy, retiring in 1989.
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Official Designation | HMNZS Pegasus P3563 → HMNZS Kuparu P3563 (WWII Hull Q1348) |
| Design / Class | W J Holt Admiralty WWII anti-submarine patrol craft |
| Dimensions | 76 ft LOA, 72 ft LWL, 16 ft Beam, 5 ft Draft |
| Displacement | 54-ton gross displacement timber hull |
| Builder | Ackerman Boat Company (Lido Island, California, 1943) |
| Propulsion | Twin Mark 6 two-stroke Foden diesel engines (180-hp each) |
| Home Port | Auckland, New Zealand |
Kuparu began her life on the other side of the world in Southern California. She was built by the Ackerman Boat Company, a prominent wooden shipbuilding facility located in Newport Beach, California. The Ackerman Boat Company was founded by Clarence Ackerman. Originally operating as a recreational builder, Ackerman transitioned entirely to military contract construction in 1943 to support the Allied war effort. Under the United States Lend-Lease policy, Ackerman Boat Company was contracted to construct four Harbor Defense Motor Launches (HDMLs) specifically for delivery to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Kuparu—then designated as hull Q1348—was one of these specialised anti-submarine patrol craft. Once completed in late 1943, hull Q1348 was shipped across the Pacific to New Zealand.
She’s had a storied history, starting as part of the 126th Motor Launch Flotilla. Her main role in the Flotilla was to patrol New Zealand’s home waters. Later on in the war, Q1348 was used for tropical service in the Pacific Islands. She continued service until 1989.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Northland Rescue Helicopter was tasked by the RCCNZ to rescue the crew. Waikato rescue helicopters also aided in the rescue. The reason for the vessel’s distress is yet to be confirmed, but it is believed the vessel was taking on water along with its reported mechanical and electrical issues.
All three crew members were returned safely to land a few hours later. Unfortunately, the vessel has had to be abandoned. We will keep an eye out for further updates; it would be sad for HMNZ Kuparu to find her end after her recent transformation by Scott Perry.
Perry discovered HMNZS Kuparu in August 2016, lying abandoned in a house relocation yard in Helensville, sitting up on an old trailer. The historic craft was a rotting, neglected hull that had been sitting out of the water for roughly 16 to 20 years. He purchased it for $10,000 to serve as a deeply personal rehabilitation project.
Scott Perry and volunteers restored HMNZ Kuparu to its Fishery Protection Service-era appearance. The project focused on repainting the vessel, improving its seaworthiness, and aiming for museum status with long-term plans for a New Zealand circumnavigation.
