Hydrographic Ship Red Crew

Commander Philip Hiatt, RAN

Commander Philip Hiatt RAN, joined the Royal Navy in 1987, undertaking initial training at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. In the early part of his career he served in Frigates, Patrol Boats, Minehunters and Oceanographic Ships in regions as diverse as the South Atlantic, West Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal waters of the British Isles. Sub-specialising as a Hydrographic Surveyor, he served as the Navigating Officer of HMS Roebuck and HMS Beagle between 1992 and 1995.

In 1995 he joined the Royal Australian Navy, serving as the Senior Assistant Surveyor in the Perth based Hydrographic Ship HMAS Moresby. Subsequent postings included Executive Officer in HMAS Flinders, completion of the Long Hydrographic H1 Course at HMS Drake in the United Kingdom and 2 I/C of the Military Geographic Information Unit at Headquarters Northern Command during Operation WARDEN. On 1 October 2000 he assumed command of HMAS Benalla and throughout the following two years undertook bathymetric surveys off Northern Australia and throughout the Louisade Archipelago of Papua New Guinea.

In 2003 he completed the Principal Warfare Officers Course at HMAS Watson, graduating as a PWO (SW) and undertaking postings in HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra. His next appointment was as the Executive Officer of HMAS Darwin, where he served throughout 2006 and 2007.

Promoted to Commander on 1 January 2009, he took command of Hydrographic Ship Red Crew (HMAS Melville and HMAS Leeuwin) on 14 January 2009.