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Promising start for Sea Patrol
By LSPH Yuri Ramsey
Volume 50, No. 12, July 12, 2007 |
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Sea Patrol has on it a great weight of expectation. The civilian public want a great new Aussie drama and Navy personnel hope the show does not embarrass the service and give false perceptions of what we do.
Fortunately for both, the first episode has some promising signs.
The first episode is straight into the action with the HMAS Hammersley involved in apprehending an illegal fishing vessel. Warning shots are fired, the boat boarded and taken charge of. Even though a few of the characters are sea-sick and become nauseous from the putrid conditions on the IFV they still get on with the job as in real life. The incident gives a reasonably accurate depiction of what the Navy has to deal with in border protection tasks.
As the episode progresses the characters have to deal with medical emergencies and a sea rescue, all within a busy 48 hour period.
In amongst all this are obviously some personal relationships between the characters. The XO, LEUT Kate McGregor (McCune) seems to have had some sort of previous relationship with the CO, LCDR Mike Flynn. The NAV, LEUT Nikki Caetano and LS Josh “ET” Holliday seem to have a developing relationship which will probably get more complex as the series progresses.
The Buffer, POB Pete Tomaszewski, is suitably gruff and very much like many buffers I served with when he responds to SMN Billy “Spider” Webb calling him “sir”, by saying “Don’t call me sir!, I work for a living.”
The production values and cooperation with the Navy are highly evident with plenty of scenes using RHIBS, Patrol Boats and Navy sailors. Although there are a few cringe-worthy moments of dialogue, the show will hopefully give an idea to civilian viewers of what situations and decisions the Navy faces on a daily basis.
Sea Patrol is broadcast at 2030 Thursdays on the Nine Network. You can visit the Sea Patrol website: http://seapatrol.ninemsn.com.au for more information and downloads.
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