UK: HMS Raleigh Gets New Commanding Officer

HMS Raleigh has a new man at the helm with Captain Bob Fancy relieving Captain Steve Murdoch as the Commanding Officer of the Torpoint based Royal Navy training establishment.

Captain (Capt) Fancy, aged 48, was welcomed to HMS Raleigh by a guard of honour made up of new recruits.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1983 and specialised as a submariner in 1985. He has served in a number of diesel and nuclear powered submarines and completed the Submarine Command Course in 1995, after which he went on to command the submarines HMS Trafalgar and HMS Triumph. Capt Fancy was awarded the OBE in 2002 for service in Afghanistan.

He has also held a variety of appointments ashore in Fleet Headquarters, the Permanent Joint Headquarters and at the Ministry of Defence. In 2009 Capt Fancy was seconded to industry where he developed two major leadership and training programmes for a very large multinational company. He said:

“I am extremely honoured to be given command of HMS Raleigh and the opportunity to come home to the West Country.

“The prospect of being involved in such a broad spectrum of training as well as representing the Royal Navy in the local area is both exciting and a real privilege.”

Captain Steve Murdoch is leaving the Royal Navy after a career spanning over 32 years. He took command of HMS Raleigh in December 2009 and during that time devised and oversaw a major review of initial naval training and the introduction of a new 10 week course for recruits.

His leadership and faultless judgment was seen to be a fine example for the next generation of sailors and as a result he was awarded the OBE in Her Majesty’s The Queen’s birthday honours list this year.

Staff at HMS Raleigh gathered at the main gate to cheer Capt Murdoch as he left the establishment for the final time. He said:

“Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh has been my last appointment in the Royal Navy and I could not have asked for a more enjoyable or rewarding final posting.

“I have been very fortunate to have been supported by a dedicated, professional, hardworking and loyal group of people and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone sincerely for their invaluable support and friendship and for helping me make HMS Raleigh the finest training establishment in the Royal Navy.

“I wish HMS Raleigh, her Ship’s Company and all the supporting staff every possible good fortune for the future.”

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Naval Today Staff, September 20, 2012; Image: Royal Navy