26 NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008
MMasters of the elementsasters of the elements
● HMS Scott at sea and (right) the survey ship’s sea-boat during a man overboard exercise
Pictures: LA(Phot) Luis Holden (FRPU East)
O
NE of the newest
meteorology, before practising their officer will be expected to provide
branches in the
newly-found knowledge during a comprehensive service in both
Navy traces its
practical sessions in a variety of areas.
surveying tasks, including data- The calibre of those training at
roots to one of the oldest gathering using multibeam echo HMTG has taken an upturn in
specialisations – and was
sounders, sidescan sonar and recent times – Officer in Charge
created to cope with the
establishing tidal stations, as well of the Hydrographic Training
oldest variables known to
as conducting meteorological Unit Lt Cdr David Wyatt recalls
observations afloat. that over the previous year there
man. The culmination of their had been ten or 12 ABs coming
Those who are now training was based on a Rapid through with degrees (“and not
trained to make the most of
Environment Assessment (REA) just Mickey Mouse degrees – they
the environment also find
scenario, where they had to have subjects such as marine
themselves breaking down
conduct a beach survey in support biology,” said Lt Cdr Wyatt).
barriers, as they contribute
of amphibious landings. That and the age spread – from
On completion of initial training 17-year-olds to those in their mid-
significantly to both warfare
AB(HM)2s were drafted to sea in 30s who have seen a bit of life
and defence intelligence.
surveying ships (Echo, Enterprise, – provide a challenge to trainers
The mastery of such diverse
Scott, Roebuck or ice patrol and the HMTG as an employer,
elements as the deep ocean, the
ship Endurance) to consolidate as they are dealing with highly-
shoreline and the skies above and
their training in the operational educated and motivated students.
far inland was historically carried
environment. With some sea time or a stint
out by two distinct branches.
After eight or nine months, at an air station under their belts,
Surveying Recorders (SRs) were
and once an HM has reached they head back to Devonport
the ‘Droggies’ of yore, charting
AB(HM)1, around half of the for advanced training as leading
the sea lanes of the world and
original intake returned to the hands – LS(HM).
clearing the way for amphibious
HMTG for more in-depth training The LS(HM) H course takes
operations.
in meteorology in preparation for 12 weeks, the M course nine, with
Alongside – but always distinct
the job of Meteorological Office some elements common across
a BSc Honours degree in Applied are usually self-forecasting. into Plymouth Sound, allowing
from the Droggie – was the
both courses – and it
Meteorology and Oceanography. There is a similarly short but up to six students per boat to put
meteorologist (‘Professor
Fog’ or ‘weather guesser’
“They get a BSc for completing
is the first stage of a
This final element, as with the busy Met course for Royal Marines theoretical skills into practice.
foundation degree
PO(SR) course, runs concurrently landing craft officers and cox’ns. In the process, they will produce
to the cynical matelot)
their Naval training, while being course, to boot.
with one of the officers’ courses, There is also a healthy high-quality data of the state of
who aimed to forecast
conditions with a high
paid, and not having to do anything
As they climb allowing crucial interaction international interest in the work
the sea bed around Devonport.
further up the between the two cohorts. of the HMTG.
Members of staff go out to
degree of accuracy for a
extra. How good is that?” promotion ladder, the
Officers face a more substantial In the academic year which Thursday Wars, disaster exercises
location which could be
weighting towards H programme. ended in 2005, 35 per cent of and the like in the South West to
hundreds of miles away.
or M becomes even Having tackled the rigours of students on H career courses were supplement the HM specialists at
Allied to the MET (meteorology)
Observer at RN air stations
more pronounced. bridge watchkeeping duties, the overseas candidates, representing Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).
element was OC (oceanography),
Culdrose or Yeovilton.
The career path of these officer students go to the HMTG countries such as the United “This is good, because they
giving the METOC branch.
Training and employment
environmental warriors keeps for a 14-week HM course, which States, South Africa, Australia, take their theoretical training in
Never the twain did meet – or
patterns governed which route
looping round to the HMTG. segues into a 19-week METOC New Zealand, Denmark, the the classroom into the maritime
not very much, anyway – until the
an HM’s career path followed,
For those who favour course. Netherlands, Egypt, Singapore, environment, and FOST people
two skills were brought together in
Hydrography or Meteorology and
hydrography, the next hurdle is the The reward at the end is a Pakistan and Oman. come here to inject operational
the Hydrographic, Meteorological
Oceanography.
14-week PO(Surveyor) course. METOC posting at an air station Since 1968, the HMTG and input back into the critical training
and Oceanographic (HM)
Following a review of manning
And the status of PO brings then an H posting, or vice versa. its forerunners have trained environment,” said Lt Cdr Wyatt.
specialisation, which spawned its policy late last year, it was
with it enough credits for a And with the third posting more than 550 students from 39 “Technology and techniques
first trained rating in the autumn determined that the concept of
BSc Honours degree in Marine
comes a decision as to whether the countries, which not only brings change rapidly, and a lot of our
of 2004. dual-training AB(HM)s in both H
Science awarded by the University
officer will specialise in H or M. in welcome revenue but also effort goes into maintaining our
HM training is carried out and M disciplines was ineffective, of Plymouth.
Some five years further down the enhances the RN’s reputation and
currency, particularly on the
by the HM Training Group and that the sub-specialisation “They get a BSc for completing
line there is a 19-week advanced promotes respect and valuable
Hydrographic side.”
(HMTG) – a sub-unit command choice should be made earlier in their Naval training, while being
surveying course, accredited at friendships around the globe.
The standard of training is
of the Maritime Warfare School an AB(HM)’s career – before they paid, and not having to do anything
Category A by the International The environmental approach – or
such that an officer will leave the
– at Devonport, which is the leave Raleigh. extra. How good is that?” said Lt
Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). “tactical use of the environment” – is
care of HMTG at pretty much
first destination of fledgling HM So from the middle of this year, Cdr Wyatt.
There is a similar nine-week not just confined to the classrooms
operational standard.
able rates when they leave HMS AB(HM)s will join the HMTG On the Meteorology and
advanced course for officers on of the HMTG complex.
“They can go straight out into
Raleigh, just across the river. to attend a course in either Oceanography side ratings
the METOC side. Three boats, each kitted out
an operational task, which can
HM ratings’ training from Hydrography or Meteorology and advance from AB to LS to PO
Other students have darkened with the same cutting-edge sonar
be very demanding for METOC
2004 to early this year combined Oceanography, before following and finally, when selected, they
the doors of the training group. equipment as survey launch
officers, joining a squadron and
the need to provide specialists in their chosen career path.
come back for the CPO course to
Small ship flight observers HMSML Gleaner, are berthed
producing forecasts from Day
hydrography and meteorology at The H and M fork is still apparent
become weather forecasters – and
attend for one-week Met courses, just a few metres from the Group.
One,” said Lt Cdr Wyatt.
able rate level. in the career path, not as a separate
qualifies successful candidates for
as the Lynx and Merlin aircrew These are used for day runs out
“There is no probationary
During generic training branch but more subtly approached period, although on the H side
all AB(HM)2s were taught in terms of an individual’s personal there is the opportunity to hold
marina Next month – Testing the waters
basic theory in surveying and preferences – although an HM someone’s hand a little longer.”
0026_NN_mar.indd 126_NN_mar.indd 1 118/2/08 12:30:478/2/08 12:30:47
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