Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Ardent One

Executive Officer - LEUT C.H. Moore

LEUT Clint Moore is the Executive Officer on board, and second in command. He is responsible for the day to day running of the ship, maintenance of standards on board, as well as the ship's navigation. A famed philanthropist and piscatorial safari guru, he finds Northern Australia and the waters thereof a captivating and exciting area of the world, and wouldn't work anywhere else. Often likened to famed Australian explorer Alby Mangels, Clint has become renowned for taking the ship in to some of the most remote and isolated parts of Australia.

I look forward to seeing you on Facebook.

Boarding Officer - CPOB J. Savage

Jerry Savage, 44 years old, I am married with two teenage daughters, two dogs and one cat (just). My wife is very supportive of my work and I find it harder to leave the family each time we sail. I have been the Boarding Officer since May 2009. I find the experience onboard very fulfilling with such a close knit team that makes for an exciting patrol every time we sail from our families.

In my 26 years career, I have served on HMA Ships Flinders, Ipswich, Tarakan, Leeuwin, Melville, Wollongong, Launceston, Anzac and Canberra. I have met some very interesting people throughout my career, I have walked the hallowed grounds of Gallipoli and marched up the beaches at Omaha Beach – Normandy; I have met the great Nelson Mandela and even marched in front of the Queen and several world leaders at one major event. I have been to more places than I can remember; Cairo, Germany, Gibraltar, Spain France, just to name a few - these memorable experiences will stay with me forever. I am grateful towards the crew I currently serve with, we know when to have fun and when to kick ass and take names.

Coxswain - LSNPC S. McCartney

G'day, I am Leading Seaman Scott McCartney the Naval Police Coxswain for ARDENT ONE. The guys onboard call me Swain or The Snake as the CO fondly refers to me. Usually I can be found lying in long grass waiting to strike. But mostly I can be found organising the Whole Ship Coordination of the crew.

HMAS Wollongong and HMAS Launceston are my homes at sea and HMAS Cairns when alongside. The role as Coxswain onboard encompasses law enforcement and the maintenance of good order and discipline in the RAN as well as Whole ship coordination, Force Protection, Seamanship and Navigation and medical duties. This role is very challenging and also very rewarding.

On occasion, I can be called upon to use my medical skills as the Medical Care provider onboard and this occasionally provides some eye opening moments. And at times I will be on the bridge as one of the Officer of the Watches keeping the ship navigational safe and hopeful going in the right direction.

Being the only NPC onboard and being a part of the Command team always make the trip very interesting. I really enjoy the role as Coxswain in ARDENT ONE and have had some of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences working in the Patrol boat world.

Senior Electrician - LSET B.D. Kemp

My name is Ben Kemp, I am a Leading Seaman Electronics Technician (LSET) posted to ARDENT ONE. I have been posted to ARDENT ONE for 2 years and have been in the Navy for 9 years. In my 9 years in the Navy I have enjoyed previous postings to FIMA CAIRNS, HS WHITE CREW and DEFCOMMSTA- ACT.

During my time in Armidale Class Patrol Boats I have visited many exotic ports like Darwin and Broome. Being an electronics technician onboard a patrol boat can give rise to a variety of challenges. Some of my daily jobs at sea can involve:

• Maintaining the 25mm Bushmaster chain gun;
• Maintaining the communication systems onboard;
• Keeping a watch as the marine link watch keeper.

When I am not on patrol I enjoy a diverse range of hobbies however cars are my true passion. Whenever I am not at work, you will find me working in my shed on one of my 3 Holden’s (or on someone else’s).

So far I have really enjoyed the Armidale experience and would recommend it to any sailor in the Navy.

Senior Chef - LSCK D. Kingwill

My name is Dougie and I am the Leading Seaman Cook on board.

I grew up in rural Victoria and spent most of my years prior to the Navy there, as well as some short stints living in rural New South Wales.

Prior to joining the Navy I held several different jobs ranging from fencing to agriculture and animal husbandry.

I have now been in the Navy for over six years and have served on Hydrographic Survey Ships, Survey Motor Launches, Landing Craft and now Armidale Class Patrol Boats.

As a Leading Seaman Cook on Patrol Boats, I am responsible for all facets of catering, and I have one Able Seaman Cook who works directly with me. I am also part of the ships medical team and am also required to provide assistance as required during boarding operations and during times requiring humanitarian aid.

I have been posted with ARDENT ONE for over two years, and will part ways with the crew early in the new year for some time ashore.

LSBM L.A. Williams

My name is Leading Seaman Luke (Bungy) Williams.

I am 27 years of age, I grew up in a town called Seventeen Seventy, Central Coast Queensland.

I have been a full time member of the RAN for 9 years. I was Commissioning Crew for ARDENT ONE, were I had the pleasure of Commissioning HMAS Bundaberg, in the town of Bundaberg. I have been posted to the crew since 7 Aug 2006.Whilst at sea I rotate between HMAS Wollongong AND HMAS Launceston. My previous posting include HMAS Bendigo, a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat, and Minor War Vessel Sea Training Unit.

My primary role in ARDENT ONE is 2I/C Boarding Party. I’m also 2I/C of the armoury, I/C part of ship and an Officer of the Watch. Since joining the Navy I have travelled around Australia and have been overseas to places like PNG, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island.

I’m currently married with 3 daughters and my wife is a full time serving member of the RAN. I have loved my time on Patrol Boats and my goal is to come back to a Boat as a Chief Bosuns Mate. Shortly I will be posting ashore for promotion to Petty Officer and some much needed family time.

LSBM A.T. Yarnold

My name is Adam Yarnold (Yarnie). I joined the Navy in 1994 and have served in HMA Ships Brisbane, Ipswich, Bendigo, Brunei, Ballarat, ARDENT FIVE in Childers, Wollongong and Launceston. I have served in Timor, Bougainville and on UN duties and in the Middle East. My current duties are OOW and IC part of ship.

I am married to Kim and we have three kids; a girl and two boys. I am looking forward to my posting to ARDENT ONE as I enjoy the patrol boat life and Cairns.

ABCIS D.A. Briggs

My name is Danielle (Briggsy).

I am the Communications Information Systems Operator and joined the Navy in 2005. I was previously posted to HMAS Arunta, DEFCOMMSTA Stirling and DEFCOMMSTA Cairns. During my short time in Defence I have served as a Boarding Party member in the North Arabian Gulf and travelled to Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Singapore, Philippines, China, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

I joined ARDENT ONE in February 2010. My role onboard is to ensure the smooth running of all communications. This includes ship/shore satellite, tactical and administrative voice radio, flashing light (morse code) and flag signaling. When in company with other vessels I encode/decode and disseminate tactical and maneuvering signals to command. I upgrade and monitor ships computer systems, create user profiles and administer local area networks.

It is a challenging role, and I am fortunate to have a wonderful crew. I hope to remain on Armidale Class Patrol Boats for some time yet.

ABCK R. Kidman

My name is Rebekka (Bek) Kidman.

I’m the AB Cook in ARDENT ONE and I’ve only been with the crew for about 6 months.

I’m originally from Victoria and my family lives close to the navy base down there. So I came fresh from HMAS Cerberus as a Seaman and got made up to Able Seaman while with ARDENT ONE.

In the past 6 months I’ve been to some pretty amazing places. I’ve also seen and done many things that a lot of other sailors have not and it has been a great experience.

I’m not just a cook but I’m also a part of the Ship’s medical team, a member of a Boarding Party, and much more. I really enjoy being part of patrol boats because I’m always learning new things and I am part of a well functioning team.

Being on a patrol boat you are not just a team, but also you are friends and family.

I am really happy with how my new career on patrol boats is going so far and I know that it’s just the beginning.

Safety Equipment - ABBM C.J. Duncan

My name is Able Seaman Boatswain Mate Christian Duncan. I am currently posted to ARDENT ONE as the Ship Bourne Survival Equipment Maintainer. I posted to ARDENT ONE in June 2008 after completing my Basic Boatswains Mate Course.

My job includes maintenance and daily up keep of all Survival Equipment on board the Armidale Class Patrol Boat, as well as Seamanship and Gunnery.

Since joining the crew I have been a member of the Boarding Party and have been involved in many fisheries and SIEV boardings.

I recently completed my Intermediate Boatswains Mate course which is a pre requisite for promotion to Leading Seaman. I am due to post off in June 2011 to Port Services CAIRNS for some respite from sea.

Whilst I have been posted to ARDENT ONE I have seen a lot of different places not only in Australia but overseas which includes Weipa, Darwin, Broome, Brisbane, Townsville and overseas to places like PNG, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island and New Zealand.

ABBM K.J. Young

My name is Kerin Young and I am an Able Seaman Boatswains mate, posted to ARDENT ONE in the seamanship/boarding party billet.

I started my career in the Defence Force in the Army on the 16th of October 2001. I was posted to 105 BTY, 1 FD REGT Royal Australian Artillery on the 26 March 2001. I spent the next 7 years there and went on two major deployments, my first deployment was to East Timor from the 30th of October 2006 to the 20th of January 2007, and my second deployment was to Iraq from the 20th of October 2007 to the 16 of may 2008.

On April the 3rd 2009 I transferred to the navy as a Boatswains Mate, after completing my training at HMAS Cerberus I was posted to HMAS Kuttabul and worked in FSU where I was completing de scaling and painting jobs for the major fleet units at Fleet Base East. On the 16 of February 2009 I was posted to HMAS Cairns where I received my current posting to ARDENT ONE. When I posted to the crew we were going through our work ups so I learnt a lot about the ACPB very quickly and enjoyed every minute of it, it was very challenging. I am now the 2IC for the Boarding Party and we have conducted a few boardings which have again been challenging.

The time I have spent in the ADF has been both challenging and rewarding.

Navigators Yeoman - ABBM T.J. Haigh

My name is ABBM(Nav Yeoman) Timothy Haigh, I was born in Brisbane, Queensland in 1987. I finished year 12, and at the same time from year 10-12, I successfully completed a School Base Traineeship in Hospitality (Chef). I then work at the following Restaurants to complete my Cert IV apprenticeship as a Chef, (Seaworld Nara Resort, Fasta Pasta, Ludy and Lou's Italian Restaurant, Prince William Alexandra Retirement Village, Balti Spice Avenue "UK Indian style cookery").

Then I decided to join the Royal Australia Navy as I like the water, and I thought it was time for a change in atmosphere so on the 25th September 2006, I was enlisted to become a Boatswain Mate. I completed my training down at HMAS Cerberus, and I got my first posting to HMAS Sydney in 2007 for about 20 months whilst on Sydney I got to do my ships divers course. I got to go to places that I never thought I would: Hawaii, San Diego, San Francisco, Canada, Seattle, and parts of Australia. I then got my second posting to HMAS Harman in 2008 at the same time at Harman I did my SE and Nav yeoman course, and was there for 19months, and on the 5th July 2010 I got the privilege to join a Patrol Boat crew with ARDENT ONE and I'm loving it.

AB S.R. Pepperall

Hi, my name is Shane Pepperall, I joined the Navy in Febuary 2003. In that time I have served on Major Fleet Units such as HMAS Anzac and commissioned HMAS Perth, both based in HMAS Stirling.

On completion of these postings I moved to Melbourne and was posted to Westhead Gunnery Range as a gun maintainer and instructor specializing in 12.7mm machine gun training. I have since moved onto patrol boats, where I have realised that I should have been for my whole career, and I am enjoying being a Boatswains Mate more than ever.

My role onboard Armidale Class Patrol Boats is as a weapons expert and maintainer, occupy a large role in boarding operations, and the driving of our smaller boats.

ABET L.R. Fleming

My name is Able Seaman Electronics Technician Luke Fleming. I am currently posted to ARDENT ONE as an Electronics Technician. I joined the crew in April 2009 after completing my Electronics Technician competency log and my hydraulic/pneumatic advanced system technician course. My primary role onboard ARDENT ONE is to repair all electronic systems while also conducting all preventive maintenance routines that require to be completed. I am also part of the technical department onboard that is required to monitor the engineering state of the vessel, as well as being the ships storeman.

Since joining the boat in 2009 I have been part of the crews boarding party, and have been involved in many fisheries and SIEV boardings. My role in these boardings is to assess vessels engineering state and seaworthiness, as well as assist other boarding party members in security as required.

Since being posted to patrol boats I have been to many wonderful places around Australia as well as the South West Pacific, including Gove, Weipa, Broome, Darwin, Kimberly’s, many of the Cook Islands, PNG and Vanuatu.

AB Marine Technician S.T. Foskett

My name is Able Seaman Foskett (FOZ) and I have been a member of the Royal Australian Navy since Jan 2007. I am married with wonderful three kids and posted to H.M.A.S Cairns in north Queensland. I have been on ARDENT ONE since Feb 2008, which is my first sea posting in the Navy. Whilst at sea I rotate between HMAS Wollongong AND HMAS Launceston.

I am a marine technician in the Navy and have recently finished a Diesel ASTC which means I now hold a Cert IV in engineering mechanical. My roles and reasonability’s range from watch keeping on the bridge as the Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) monitoring the ships machinery state, maintaining most machinery on board including main engines and generators, also servicing and as the small boats maintainer I am reasonable for the maintenance of the jet RHIBs on board.

I am also a member of the boarding party engineering team who are reasonable for securing the engine room and assessing the boats hull, structure and engine for sea worthiness.

Life at sea on a patrol boat is fun and exciting and you are always waking up somewhere new. I have seen a lot of Australia in my time on patrol boats and even a few overseas port including Vanuatu, Norfolk Island and New Zealand. Joining the Navy and Patrol Boat has been one of the best things I have done in my life and wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I have made some great friends and I have met some interesting people along the way.

SMNMT J.R. Booth

My name is SMN Johnathon Booth and I have been in the Navy for a little over 18 months. I am currently part of ARDENT ONE as a technical sailor.

I finished year 11 then decided to go onto doing a trade in air conditioning refrigeration. On completion I decided to join the Navy for a change in life style. I completed my training at HMAS Cerberus as a Marine Technician (stoker) and was posted to Cairns where I joined ARDENT ONE.

I am currently working through my competency log, and doing courses to gain further knowledge of the systems I work on to help further my career in the Navy. I am currently enjoying the life style of Cairns and love the things it has to offer. I currently have a partner who I reside with in Cairns. Most of my family lives in Sydney.

It has been a privilege to be posted to ARDENT ONE as it is a rare opportunity and have enjoyed serving with this crew.

SMNGX A.M. Sparke

My name is Alex Sparke and I have now been in the Navy for 7 months. I am a gap year on the boat. Ardent one has been my first posting in the navy which was exciting being sent to the patrol boats. During my time on board I have had an experience of both technical and non technical rates onboard. At the moment my role is IC of 2 deck mopping. I have been on 2 patrols so far with the crew, and got to visit other ports like Darwin and Broome. Before the navy I lived in Terrigal, Central Coast NSW and attended school at St Edwards college. MY time onboard has been fun and I have had some good navy experiences out on patrol. I am looking forward to the next patrol with the crew.

ABBM C. Strickland

Hi my name’s Tina Strickland, I’m 24 years old, have been in the navy for 5 years and joined Ardent One one month ago.

My job onboard is to maintain the ship’s safety equipment as well as being a member of the boarding party and ship’s helmsman.

I’ve previously served on HMA Ships Melbourne and Parramatta and have been to the Middle East, Hawaii, Singapore, Vanuatu, Phuket, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. My hobbies include Basketball, surfing and wakeboarding.

ABCIS J. Farmer

My name is Jodi Farmer, I’m 29 and have been in the navy for just under 4 years. I’ve served on HMA Ships Darwin, Melbourne and Newcastle and have travelled all over Australia with the navy.

My job is to look after all aspects of communications including working tactical circuits, sending and receiving signals, operating flashing light and hoisting flags.

My favourite sports are softball and netball, and my favourite sporting team is the Queensland Maroons. My hobbies include star gazing, shopping, shopping and more shopping!

SMNBM D.A.J. Fry

My name is Seaman Daniel Fry. I have been in the Navy for about 8 months. I have recently finished my boatswain’s course at HMAS Cerberus in November. I was then posted to HMAS Cairns where I spent 3 weeks in port services.

It is my first time at sea and I am very happy to get the chance to serve on a patrol boat. I have recently been to Darwin and Christmas island although I have only been on the boat for a short time. I wish to stay posted to Cairns in the future as I love the lifestyle there.

I have learnt a lot in such little time in ARDENT ONE. I am in the process of receiving my helmsman certificate and am currently working on completing my competency log which won’t be too far away.

I am excited for my future in the Royal Australian Navy and whatever it may bring me.

ABMT Z. Hayes

Hi I’m Zane and I’m an AB and DC Yeo with Ardent 1. I’ve been in the Navy for almost 4 years and I served onboard HMAS Brunei for a year and a half before joining Ardent 1 on HMA Ships Launceston and Wollongong. I grew up in the mighty Canberra, and I have a passion for horse power and fishing.