Week 6 - Getting Division Intake 268

11 May 2009

During the week Getting Division participated in Sea Phase, Standard Combat Survivability, Survival at Sea and Corrosion Control. On Monday, Ararat Class travelled the scenic route to Stony Point where Seahorse Spirit was waiting for their embarkation. There was great anticipation amongst the recruits as few had experienced life at sea before enlisting in the RAN. The Seahorse Spirit is an older vessel but in good shape. After boarding the classes began settling into their accommodation for the next few days were then put to work storing ship.

On completion the recruits were given an introduction brief followed by a safety lecture. Very soon the berthing lines were let go quickly followed by a few breakfasts. Bass Straight soon turned on her best weather and most of the class members had their first experience of seasickness. The recruits soon became aware of why the some of the training is focused in the way it is and how it can affect life at sea when duties and responsibilities are not fulfilled. On Wednesday Seahorse Spirit entered Western Port to conduct a boat transfer for Ararat Class to swap with Armidale Class where the experience occurred for a whole new group of personnel.

Broome and Bundaberg Classes achieved good results while undertaking the Standard Combat Survivability. Despite the look of a large burnt out ships super structure being quite daunting both classes took to the new skills of fire fighting and damage control in a maritime environment very enthusiastically.

Bataan and Bathurst Classes were introduced to Survival at Sea and Corrosion Control this week. With the weather cooling down it was becoming even more important to ensure that their Thermal Protective Suits (TPS) were done up correctly before entering the water. As any leaks could make for a wet, cold and uncomfortable few hours in a life raft.

Although many of the classes are conducting instruction in other areas of HMAS Cerberus the recruits are still finding that the requirement to maintain all the standards of recruit training still exists. Upon return to Recruit School personnel are not only busy cleaning accommodation and ablutions but also working to keep their lockers at the high standard expected and studying for their final exam.

Even though they are 6 weeks in to their training it is still a very busy time for all recruits.

Recruit Comment

"It’s finally good to sea how all the training comes together in a sea environment.";RCTMUSN Melissa Ballantyne, 25 years from Wynn Vale, SA.