Bundaberg Sailor Says "Third Times Lucky"

12 July 2009

Local sailor Ben Grant is all at sea but not because he is wondering where his future lies. The former Bundaberg North State High School student is currently a Leading Seaman Electronic Technician in the Royal Australian Navy and he has his sights on an electrical engineering degree from university.

But for the moment, Ben is busy participating in his third Exercise Talisman Saber, the biennial training exercise which allows Australian and US Forces to practice working together in ‘Combined Task Force’ operations.

"My ship is HMAS Kanimbla, an amphibious troop support vessel," said Ben.

"We are able to accommodate up to 450 additional personnel on board, plus helicopters, landing craft, Land Rovers and tracked vehicles. Kanimbla has the most comprehensive medical facilities in the fleet and we are carrying a thirty-five person team of doctors, medics and nurses for the exercise as well."

That capability has been tested several times for real in recent years with HMAS Kanimbla providing essential humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the tsunami in Banda Aceh in 2005.

Ben had already commenced his electrical apprenticeship in Bundaberg in 2002 when he decided to enquire about continuing his training with Navy.

"Six weeks after my first interview I was at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria to start recruit training," said Ben.

In his six years in the Navy, Ben has worked at several shore establishments and been posted to a number of different ships, seeing a good part of Australia and south-east Asia in the process. Besides an operational deployment to the Solomon Islands, he nominates Singapore as one of the most interesting places to visit.

"I have really enjoyed my time in the Navy," Ben said.

"It’s something every young person should consider and I wouldn’t change a thing. For me, the Navy provided a great opportunity for promoting personal development and self discipline and I feel like I have received a grounding that will set me up for life."