Navy People: Just call me 'Merv'
1 July 2011
Petty Officer Naval Police Coxswain Brian ‘Merv’ Hughes has had his nickname since 1988 and answers to it more readily than his given name.
The Darwin local is the disciplinarian, primary health care provider and personnel manager for HMAS Betano, (a Landing Craft Heavy ship) that is currently employed on Pacific Partnership 2011.
Pacific Partnership is a US-led humanitarian aid mission that aims to strengthen alliances and promote multilateral security cooperation in the South Pacific. The mission will visit Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia.
HMAS Betano, in company with HMAS Balikpapan, is responsible for vital ship to shore transport of people, equipment and stores in both Vanuatu and Timor-Leste. They recently transported a 36-strong multi-country medical and dental team to Tangua, Vanuatu where the team conducted 3 days of medical, dental, pharmacy and optometry work.
Merv first joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1990 as a Quartermaster Gunner and after completing his initial training at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria was posted to HMAS Jervis Bay a converted Roll On/Roll Off Ferry. This posting remains his favourite even after 21 years and many of the friends he made there are friends today.
In 1998 Merv left the Navy and pursued other interests and careers. Eight years later he investigated the possibility of returning to the Navy as a Naval Police Coxswain. This involved a four-week suitability assessment course at HMAS Harman in Canberra and then a three-month training course at the Holsworthy Army base in Sydney.
Merv who posted to Betano at the beginning of 2011 is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to deploy on Pacific Partnership 2011.
“One of the highlights of the experience has been working with the locals. They are really friendly and hospitable. On the first day of our trip to Tangua we played soccer with the kids – they were fantastic and extremely energetic,” he said.
It has also been interesting from a primary health care point of view – the worst Merv has had to deal with in the past was a fish hook in his Commanding Officer’s hand. Here he has had the opportunity to see US, Australian and Canadian medical providers dealing with a range of health issues.
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