HMAS Bathurst’s Attack Six crew has recently had a 25 percent crew change, with some familiar faces from other crews, some sailors from the Transit Security Element (TSE) and some new faces joining the top end team.
The rotation of personnel in Patrol Boat crewing is common, but it is how the old crew welcomes the new joiners and assists with their smooth transition that really highlights Navy values and the culture of teamwork onboard.
Commanding Officer of Attack Six, Lieutenant Commander Mark Daly said the team prides itself on ensuring every new member is properly welcomed.
“We ensure every ADF member, Defence contractor or other Government agency that sails with Attack Six fully becomes a part of the crew for the duration of their sea ride onboard either Bathurst, HMAS Armidale or which ever Armidale Class Patrol Boat Attack Six is embarked in,” said LCDR Mark Daly.
New joiners to the Attack Six crew have a senior member of the ship’s company assigned to them assist in all aspects of being at sea and with integration into the new crew.
Seaman Boatswains Mate (SMNBM) Thomas Fuji has been very happy with his welcome to Attack Six.
“The crew has been really welcoming and because this is my first time at sea, they are allowing me to experience all aspects of my job and roles onboard a patrol boat,” said SMBM Fujii.
During Bathurst’s recent transit to the Straits of Singapore for the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 13 and the Western Multilateral Sea Exercise (WMSX), the new joiners were taken through various drills by the senior crew members who ensured they understood the tasks required of them. After initial inductions the tempo and complexity of their tasks were increased which provided the new team mates with the required competencies in their new roles with Attack Six.
All Attack Six personnel are encouraged to get involved, not only at work but also during the crew off-rotation periods. Socially, later this year members of Attack Six (and representatives from Headquarters Northern Command (HQNORCOM) and HMAS Coonawarra) will have the opportunity to visit the South West Pacific to embarking on a unique Navy Battle Field Tour of Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands, all while raising funds for the ‘Soldier On’ organisation.
After hard work and adventure in more northern Singaporean waters, the Pacific visit will be something for the new team to look forward to.
[mappress] Press Release, May 23, 2013; Image: Australian Royal Navy