Navy People: I grew up 100kms from the coast and still joined the Navy
25 November 2010
Seymour’s Liam Millin grew up 100kms from the coast but now he’s making Australia’s seas safe for fishing boats and merchant ships.
He and his Navy shipmates are charting waters that were last surveyed when Captain Cook passed that way in 1770.
Liam was born in Wandong and the family moved to Seymour when he was just four. Liam played basketball for the Seymour Blasters and completed Year 12 at Assumption College in Kilmore.
Then it was career decision-time. “I wanted to travel and enjoy a tropical lifestyle,” said Liam.
In 2007 he farewelled his parents Anne and Neville, his niece and three nephews and his two dogs, Max and Junior — and joined the Navy.
After basic training at HMAS Cerberus on the Mornington Peninsula, Liam specialised as a Navy hydrographer.
“We collect data to create charts of the ocean floor,” said Liam. “My job is setting up and operating oceanographic survey equipment and driving small boats.”
“It’s a small tight-knit crew and we generally deploy to an area for eight to 12 weeks to conduct a survey.”
Liam is not likely to run out of work soon. The vast area that our Navy hydrographic ships cover is one eighth of the Earth’s ocean surface.
“Our charts are used by Defence and also by fishing and merchant vessels” Liam said.
Liam’s work isn’t always confined to Australia. “In June last year we sailed to the Solomon Islands, surveying World War II minefields in preparation for clearance by the Navy mine-hunters.”
Liam’s also studying like mad. He’s acquired his Certificate III in Hydrographic Surveying and another in Business Administration, and he has also qualified in landing procedures for Naval helicopters landing on his ship.
Next up is a ‘Boarding Party’ course after which Liam can be part of highly-skilled teams who board ships suspected of illegal activities from people-smuggling to fish-poaching.
“It is challenging sometimes, because my family are 3,500km away!” said Liam.
“When I go home next time I want see my parents, niece and nephews and my two dogs, go surfing at Phillip Island and catch up with my mates. Oh, and I’ll probably fit in a Carlton game!”
blog comments powered by Disqus
