Navy People: Counter piracy on the high seas

20 October 2009

McClaren Vale's Peter Shirley, 30, is heading home after six-months patrolling the Horn of Africa. He and his 180 shipmates aboard HMAS Stuart will be disembarking in Australia towards the end of April.

Now a Lieutenant, Peter has specialised as a Weapons Electrical Engineer.

“I am one of four Weapons Electrical Engineers onboard HMAS Stuart. I assist in the oversight and management of some 29 personnel,” said Peter. “We are responsible for the maintenance and technical integrity of the combat systems. This includes all communications systems, radars (sensors) and weapons systems.”

“I am also a member of the initial response team for any hazardous incidents onboard. “We train rigorously for this and exercises are conducted daily — usually when you want to sleep!”

• Peter didn’t join up as an officer. He joined the Navy straight out of school at the age of 17, and first gained a Cert IV as a radio fitter/mechanic.

• By 2004 he had been promoted to Leading Seaman and decided to make the transition to officer. First step was a Bachelor degree in Electrical and Communications Engineering at RMIT.

The Middle East hasn’t been his first overseas deployment.

“I have travelled to most of South East Asia, including Singapore, Vietnam, The Philippines, Indonesia and others. I was privileged enough to travel to China to represent Australia and the Navy in the International Dragon Boat Championships.”

Peter has also represented the Royal Australian Navy in both kayaking, dragon boating and long distance running. It’s certainly not been a typical desk job.