STORY
The Inshore Patrol Vessel is one of the busiest ships in the fleet, travelling from port to port as junior officers work to pass their three-week sea phase of the Officer of the Watch (Basic) course, commonly known as ‘Bravos’. This is the foundation course for warfare officers, teaching the fundamentals of navigation and bridge routines.
Midshipmen Samuel King, Jaamin Fuller, Leighton Turner and Sub Lieutenant Lian van Etten are ‘Bravo’ officers near the end of their sea time. While all agree that ship’s watches and pilotage can be intense and stressful, nothing beats the feeling when your hard work pays off.
“The course takes from pretty much knowing nothing about navigation, to driving a ship around the Hauraki Gulf. Coming down the east coast, the navigator will plan a route for the ship, and the Officer of the Watch will follow that plan. Then coming to the Marlborough Sounds and Nelson, another steep curve. It’s a lot of work and pretty stressful navigation. But you come out the other side thinking: man, I did that.” ~ Midshipman Leighton Turner
Read more 
nzdf.mil.nz/bravos-course
From left, MID Samuel King, MID Jaamin Fuller, SLT Lian van Etten and MID Leighton Turner, on board HMNZS Taupo in Wellington.
#NZNavy #Force4NZ
See less