Navy People:Stanwell Local Serving In The Middle East

14 May 2007

Stanwell's Nathan Zessin is now half a world away on patrol in the Persian Gulf . The former Warraburra State School and Cathedral College student joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2003 as a Communications and Information Systems sailor.

Nathan and his 180 shipmates onboard Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba provide an ongoing contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq . This includes the important work of protecting Iraq 's offshore export oil terminals and monitoring, intercepting and boarding vessels suspected of illegally trafficking cargo that diverts funds from the Iraqi economy.

Nathan, as an Able Seaman, is part of a team that is responsible for the computer network within the Ship and all external communications to other coalition ships and back home to Australia. In addition to his primary duty, Nathan is also a member of a Boarding Team that performs security checks of suspect vessels in the area.

"It can be quite demanding but rewarding as well. From keeping watches through the night, to boarding vessels during the day, no matter what time of day it is there is something that needs to be done," said Nathan. Nathan supports the Navy's presence in the Arabian Gulf "as it gives the Iraqi people a chance to lead a better life."

Nathan says "he is keen to get home and see the family again. It has been a long deployment but I hope to do another deployment to the Middle East as it is a good opportunity to advance my training." In being asked what he thinks about being a sailor in the Navy he said "It's not just a job, it's an adventure."

Nathan and his shipmates will be back home in July after a 6 month deployment.