Commanding Officer Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Aware One
Lieutenant Commander Gerry Savvakis, RAN
Born and raised in Brisbane, QLD, Lieutenant Commander Gerry Savvakis, RAN completed Junior Certificate Education at Iona College, Lindum and Secondary schooling at Cavendish Road High School before joining the Royal Australian Navy, through HMAS Leeuwin as a Junior Recruit in July 1981.
After completing nine months academic studies and initial training, SMN Savvakis undertook category training as a Signalman at HMAS Cerberus until November 1982 when he joined HMAS Kuttabul and Naval Support Command as a communications sailor. After a brief period ashore AB Savvakis, commenced a length period of seagoing service in April 1984 which would see him serve in a variety of HMA Ship's including Tobruk, Stalwart, Jervis Bay, Darwin and Parramatta. In Mar 1989, LS Savvakis returned to his place of birth, with a posting to HMAS Moreton until his discharge in August 1991 to undertake tertiary studies at the University of Queensland.
On the 1st of March 1991, LCDR Savvakis accepted an offer of commission and re-entered the Royal Australian Navy as a MIDN through the Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell. Upon completion of training as a Naval Officer, MIDN Savvakis joined HMAS Perth in September 1996 to undertake the Enhanced Studies Scheme before joining HMAS Watson in January 1997 for training as a Seaman Officer.
Promoted in March 1997, SBLT Savvakis returned to HMAS Perth in Aug 1997 for stage four training, qualifying as an Officer of the Watch in Mar 1998 where he remained until October 1998. SBLT Savvakis successfully completed the Small Ship's Navigation Course at HMAS Watson in December 1998, before joining HMAS Gladstone as Navigating Officer the same month.
Gerry was selected for promotion to LEUT in January 2000, before posting to HMAS Cairns after nearly two years as a Patrol Boat Navigator to assume the role as Staff Officer 2 Navigation to COMAUSPABFOR in August the same year.
In January 2001, LEUT Savvakis returned to HMAS Watson to undertake the Surface Combatant Navigation Course before joining HMAS Sydney in February 2002 in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) for Operation SLIPPER. During his tenure as Navigating Officer, HMAS Sydney would participate in North East Asian Deployment and International Fleet Review before returning to the MEAO for Operations FALCONER and CATALYST.
Upon HMAS Sydney's return from Operation CATALYST in November 2003, LEUT Savvakis again returned to HMAS Watson to undertake the Advanced Navigation Course before being posted to HMAS Kuttabul as Staff Officer Navigation and Seamanship to Chief Staff Officer (Warfare), Maritime Headquarters in December 2003, where he was instrumental in the introduction of Digital Charts in the Royal Australian Navy.
In January 2004, LEUT Savvakis successfully undertook training as a Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) before returning to sea as Navigating Officer of HMAS Newcastle in November 2004 and another rotation to the MEAO and the Persian Gulf for . Upon return from the MEAO, LEUT Savvakis joined HMAS Success in November 2005, as Operations and Navigating Officer, and was selected for promotion to LCDR in January 2006. HMAS Success would go onto participate in numerous operations including Operation WARDEN, UMATRA ASSIST, QUICKSTEP, and Operations in support of COMLOGWESTPAC.
LCDR Savvakis assumed command of AWARE ONE crew, one of three crews supporting AWARE Division of Armidale Class Patrol Boats HMA Ship's Maryborough and Glenelg on 2 July 2007.
LCDR Savvakis' interests include computers, classic cars, fishing, rugby union and socialising.
