NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008 27
Dee-lighted with the RN
I WOULD like to thank the ship’s company of HMS a VHF transmission with the Commanding Officer I
Northumberland through the pages of Navy News. knew everything was going to be okay. It was as if a
Just three hundred miles from the finish line of huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
my first solo Open 60 race, disaster struck in the The ship’s company were on their way home to
notorious Bay of Biscay. Onboard Aviva I was forced Plymouth for Christmas leave, yet the unwritten law
to retire from the race as my mast had broken and of the sea is so strong with mariners, that they had
fallen over the side. agreed to stay on station to keep watch over Aviva
Having cut the rig free from the boat and checked and allow me to get some much-needed sleep.
the integrity of the hull all I could do was wait for Refreshed and revived from a bacon sandwich
rescue and keep watch. Suddenly my 60ft yacht (supplied by the guys onboard) I felt like a new
looked more like a 60ft surf board as she bobbed woman. The Navy had made getting both Aviva and
aimlessly about in the heavy seas. I had no radar myself to safety a reality. They assisted the Spanish
signal and was stranded in one of the busiest shipping towing tug in locating me and then I reluctantly bade
lanes in the world. them farewell as they set off for home.
For 12 hours it was daylight and I was confident in During those 24 hours and for days after, many
my ability to keep a good look out whilst preparing of the crew sent messages of support via my website
Aviva for a tow. As the daylight faded I was feeling and these really raised my spirits. Their presence was
very vulnerable and fear began to overtake me as I an absolute godsend and I am eternally grateful to all
waited unsure of my future. those on HMS Northumberland.
The thought of another 12 hours, this time alone I hope they continue to follow my progress when I
in the dark, keeping watch and trying to avoid compete in the Vendee Globe later this year and that
● Mystery men... RN divers pose during an exercise in Guernsey in
collision made me realise that I may have to be taken I can do them all proud! I am also thankful that the
Bish out
the early 80s... standing (l-r) ‘Smudge’, Tony Groom, Dave ‘Saggy’
off Aviva for safety reasons. As this fear was growing, lore of the sea is still so strong amongst the many
Southwell, Tim Horner, ‘Shiner’ Wright; kneeling ‘Ginge’ Lincoln and
a guardian angel arrived in the form of HMS of us that choose this environment for our place of
Ian Milnes
Northumberland. work.
of water
Out of the dark, I sighted the ship’s lights and after – Dee Caffari
Groom-ed for greatness
IN 1988, in HMS Beaver in the
Silent knights
IF ANY readers are in doubt as to speed, think, those are the young
middle of the Gulf, the ship’s what an RN Clearance Diver does clearance divers rushing to put
company decided to make me when he goes to work, I urge them themselves into harm’s way to
walk on water with clerical to read Tony Groom’s excellent render safe yet more explosive
cassock and surplice. book Diver. ordnance.
It was great fun and even today It’s one of the most modest, They put their lives on the line
there are sailors who recall this straight-from-the-shoulder books
every time they go to work.
miraculous event. THE article about HMS Argyll Rear Admiral David Cooke, Rear see that the recently- announced on this subject I have ever read.
It’s time someone in the MOD
– Mike Brotherton, Staff (p27, January) and the Opinion Admiral Submarines writes in Armed Forces Pay Award for 2008 I think that the write-up given
had the balls to give them the
Chaplain to FOST, Devonport piece stated that the sailors were response: You are right in saying not only provided a competitive by Maj Gen Julian Thompson
recognition they have so long
working six hours on and six hours that today’s submariners are busy; pay rise for all members of the on the work the clearance divers
deserved, that of being one of our
off for three to four weeks, and I in the last 12 months we have Armed Forces but specifi cally did during the Falklands war
excellent ‘special services’.
applaud their professionalism and achieved both one of the longest included several incentives to speaks volumes about their often-
– Christopher Roddis,
commitment. SSN deployments and the longest improve recruitment and retention overlooked expertise.
former diver, Malaga, Spain
However, to put this in context, Trident deterrent patrol. in the Submarine Service. He said that Navy clearance
I met a submariner at Christmas Operating from all points These included targeted divers, not the SAS, were the
Since we published the review
who said that he had just done of the globe, the operational Financial Retention Incentives mystery unit of the Falklands
of Tony Groom’s book, Navy
four months under the oggin tempo remains high as the Royal for shortage categories and war.
News has been informed of
doing six hours on and six hours Navy continues to deliver on its an additional £5 a day for all OK you do not see these
the problem over medals in the
off, he was pale, haggard and had many worldwide commitments submariners employed in sea- lads at work. It is done out of
Falkland’s conflict. Tony did
lost 1½ stones in weight during including the provision of the going units. You can rest assured sight, offshore and underwater
receive a CinC’s commendation
his last trip, and I don’t wonder UK’s nuclear deterrent. that the Admiralty Board is fully and usually under two metres of
for bravery and we understand
men are leaving the Service. To achieve this safely, and with aware of the commitment asked of bottom mud.
that all those who received the
These facts are never mentioned consideration for both fi ghting its submariners and will continue Today they are still at work
CinC’s commendation had been
in official or unofficial circles, and effi ciency and crew fatigue, long to ensure that they are suitably in the Gulf, working unseen to
recommended for an award by
Kandahar
it is no wonder the Royal Navy is practical experience – over at least rewarded for their efforts. defuse explosive devices, often their commanding officers but the
short of submariners if they are the last 40 years – has shown the Similarly, the recruiting effort booby-trapped, and old and new powers that be could not support
treated in this way. ‘six hours on six hours off’ routine will remain focused to ensure ordnance scattered around. the total number recommended.
comrades
The shortage of submariners is to give the best balance between that the Royal Navy continues The next time you see a blue The divers are also recognised on
highlighted by the full page advert watchkeeping requirements and to attract young people who are RN Land Rover passing at the memorial in Stanley – Ed
on page 11, trying to recruit new adequate time to recuperate off keen to meet the challenges of
MY PHOTO shows
ones by hook or by crook. The watch. one of the most demanding and
Commanders Kevin Seymour,
Silent Service is just that where It has thus been very much professionally-rewarding jobs in
Richard Blackwell and Geoff
these men are concerned and it a standard routine for large the world.
Wintle, who all joined BRNC
is about time their commitment numbers of submariners, often The results achieved by our Ars gratia artis
nearly 24 years ago, in 1984, and
and very stressful hard work was throughout their careers – as it submarines are exemplary, some
now all find themselves serving in
recognised. was for me during my 20 years of of which of course will remain too
Afghanistan.
I HAD the great privilege recently sequences and each high note hit
These men must have more active submarining. highly classifi ed to be publicised,
Cdr Seymour (left) is
of attending the 50th Anniversary with precision and perfection and
time topside and direct help to This may sound daunting to but please rest assured that we
commanding the Naval Strike
Banquet for the White Ensign the stationing of the horns at each
cope with the pressures they are many outside the Service but it is value our submariners very highly,
Wing at Kandahar while I(centre)
Association at Buckingham corner of the hall, the Corps of
under because the stress on their a routine that submariners quickly and we are doing all we can to
am the PJHQ Liaison Officer
Palace. Drums on the stage and the Band
minds and bodies must be life- adjust to and it ensures that the give them the best quality of life
with 52 Bde.
It was a most fi tting occasion down the sides made for great
threatening. submarine can operate at a high possible that is achievable given
Cdr Blackwell (right) is nearing
to pay tribute to an excellent dramatic effect.
I may sound a bit over-the-top state of readiness around the the constraints of being dived for
the end of his tour as Chief J1
organisation that does so much All in all it was a wonderfully
on the subject but if nothing is clock. prolonged periods.
with the Regional Command
to help and support our people, professional piece of musical
done we will not have the men The Royal Navy recognises On a lighter note, you have
(South) Headquarters.
particularly when in fi nancial artistry which gave a huge sense
to run our submarines in future, the commitment and hard work only to ask HMS Sceptre’s ship’s
All three are seen enjoying a
diffi culty and when seeking of pride to all of us from the Naval
whether they be old boats or new. of its submariners and works company how much they enjoyed
cup of coffee on Boxing Day at
employment on leaving the Service attending.
These men are, to me, modern- continually to improve conditions their operational stand-down
one of the popular coffee shops.
Service. And, while I write of
day heroes and deserve better of service. There has been a periods in Singapore, Australia
– Cdr Geoff Wintle, PJHQ 14
You can imagine what a grand professional artistry, may I send
treatment by us all. substantial amount of work and South Africa during their
occasion it was and I am sure that my compliments to the Phots who
Narrow margin
– Charles Le Clere, conducted over the past fi ve recent lengthy deployment to
all who attended were stunned made such a contribution to the
ex L/Writer, N e w years by the Submarine Service learn that there is
by the wonder of the Palace; the February edition of Navy News,
Moston, in ensuring that the 2008 AFPRB still considerable
paintings, artefacts and treasures from the striking and very clever
WITH reference to your story
Manchester Quinquennial Review was aware fun to be had as a
on display. front page and centre spread by
about HMS Exeter’s tight fi t in
of the signifi cant factors that have submariner!
All these were magnificently LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow to the
the Corinth Canal (February),
been affecting recruitment and
complemented by the superb well-composed and lovely artistry
I made a similar trip in HMS
retention of submariners
performance of the Band of the of the Gulf oil terminals by
Surprise in 1949, when the Greek
today.
Royal Marines, Portsmouth (the LA(Phot)s Owen King, Jannine
government was having problems
I was therefore
Royal Band). Hartmann and Kelly Whybrow
with terrorists.
delighted to
The incidental music throughout and the atmospheric and dramatic
As the Commander-in-Chief’s the meal was an excellent blend of shots of the Royals by PO (Phot)
despatch vessel, we made the first the popular and traditional and Dave Husbands and LA(Phot) AJ
transit of an RN ship since the played at just the right level – not Macleod in training and on ops.
war, carrying Admiral Power and too loud to drown the many dits These professional artists do
with Capt Gordon-Lennox in being spun at the tables or too soft much to show us desk-jockeys
command. to be lost in the great hall. what is going on and what we are
We took all the precautions It was, however, the finale missing.
necessary, and the passage was which really impressed. It was – Capt Bob Brown,
uneventful, with lots of sighs of flawless; the rendition of the Post Deputy Director Armed Forces
● HMS Vengeance returns to the Clyde from
relief.
training Picture: PO(Phot) Tam McDonald
Horn Gallop was perfect – the Act Implementation & Discipline
– Jim Dearlove, Fareham technically tricky triple-tongue Policy, Fleet Headquarters
opinion
A COUPLE of years ago we produced a supplement focusing on We do not wish to take anything away from those RAF SAR fliers
Leviathan Block, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH
the squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. who risk their lives so that others may live. March 2008 no.644: 55th year
The skies are open to us, we proclaimed (borrowing a bit of Nor, of course, do RN Search and Rescue crews want adulation
Ovid). and accolades; they are among the most unassuming and humble
Editorial Business
They are, but they are dominated seemingly by the RAF. members of the Naval community.
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Wherefore our lament? But even they no doubt baulked when national TV introduced
Sarah Fletcher 4448
In the past month there have been two high-profile rescues Fleet Air Arm rescuers standing in front of a red and grey Sea King
Deputy Editor: Mike Gray e-mail: subscriptions@
carried out in British waters by Search and Rescue fliers. emblazoned with the words ‘Royal Navy’ as ‘RAF’.
Assistant Editors: navynews.co.uk
Fleet Air Arm aviators were heavily involved in both successful Several years ago RN PR bosses in Whitehall succeeded in
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rescues – plucking mariners from a stricken ferry off Blackpool and reminding Fleet Street that in spite of the Combat 95s, the Royal
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