Commanding Officer HMAS Arunta
Commander Stephen Bowater, OAM, RAN
Commander Stephen J.Bowater, OAM, RAN entered the RAN as a 15 year old Junior Recruit in 1976, working his way through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer, Combat Systems Manager - Aircraft Controller in 1989. After achieving his goals as a sailor, including the award of the Peter Mitchell prize for the RAN Instructor of the Year, CPO Bowater was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1993. He then completed the full Seaman Officer four-phased syllabus, achieving his Bridge Watch-keeping Certificate in a Destroyer by 1995.
LEUT Bowater graduated as a Principal Warfare Officer - Surface Warfare, in 1997. On completion of Advanced Tactical Training with the United States Navy, he was appointed to the Frigate HMAS Newcastle as the PWO Anti-Submarine Warfare (). He then joined the Destroyer, HMAS Perth, in 1998 as the Commander Task Group . In 1999, LEUT Bowater was loaned to the Royal Navy (RN) where he served in four Type 23 ASW Frigates. During his time with the RN he deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf to support UK Air Operations against Iraq; participated in Atlantic Combined and Joint Maritime Courses and undertook a NATO Task Force ASW workup. Promoted to Lieutenant-Commander in 2000, he graduated from the NATO Force ASW Course before joining the RN School of Maritime Operations, as the Senior ASW PWO Instructor in 2001.
On return to Australia in 2003, LCDR Bowater joined Sea Training Group as the Fleet ASW/ Officer. During this appointment he was awarded a Chief of Defence Force Commendation (Group Award), for his contribution to Anti-Iraq operational workups. In June 2004, he joined HMAS Adelaide as the Executive Officer, and participated in operational deployments to the Northern Arabian Gulf and East Timor and undertook Naval exercises in South East Asia. Promoted on completion of this appointment, CMDR Bowater graduated from the Australian Command and Staff Course in December 2007. In 2008 CMDR Bowater was appointed as the Director of Naval Warfare Professional Requirements, which included acting in an advocacy role on behalf of the RAN’s 4800 Warfare Officers and Sailors.
CMDR Bowater is a keen golfer, bush-walker, fisherman, cricket fan and a Richmond AFL Club tragic. Any spare time is taken up with advanced Degree studies and home renovation projects.
CMDR Bowater holds an Australian Bachelors degree, majoring in Human Resources Management and Development, and a U.K. Management Diploma majoring in Change Management. In January 2008 CMDR Bowater was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service in the Field of Operations. He is married to Juliene, a Program Manager, and he has a daughter in her 20s, working overseas. CMDR Bowater assumed command of Australian built ANZAC Class Frigate, HMAS Arunta on 4th December 2008.
