Our People in SA
Ben Gough - Enfield’s Ben Gough Chooses Life on the High Seas
But Ben is no lone yachtsman — he’s aboard HMAS GLENELG, the latest of the Navy’s brand-new Armidale class of patrol boats.
“I joined for the job security — and the adventure! I signed up in January 2007 and after basic training at HMAS CERBERUS [near Melbourne] I’m now a qualified boatswain’s mate, which means I’m specialising in weaponry and ceremonial duties, and on-deck seamanship.
“At sea I am responsible for the maintenance of the upper deck, manoeuvres at sea like passing lines, entering and exiting harbour, and coming alongside. I also have to take my turn at steering the boat, maintaining weaponry on board ship, plus ceremonial duties, and being a member of the boarding party.
“As I have only been with the Navy for a short while I have only been on patrols on the Arafura Sea [north of Darwin], and now we are circumnavigating the Australian coast. No overseas trips yet!
“What other job in the world lets you do and see the things that sailors get to do and see. But when I get back home I’ll be studying more — and then most likely be going on more patrols.”