Our People in WA
Cameron Symons - KEEPING OUR SEA BORDERS SECURE
Cameron has swapped his yellow basketball strip for the battleship grey overalls of the Royal Australian Navy, and he's based in Darwin as part of the Navy's Patrol Boat Group. He and his shipmates are on patrol in all weathers, protecting Australia 's vital fisheries and northern approaches.
"I was a painter and decorator but decided to join the Navy in August 2003," said Cameron. "Now I've specialised as a Bosun's Mate, and got my certificates as a small boat coxswain and as navigator's yeoman.
"On patrol I spend time at the helm, and take part in boardings of illegal fishos, which takes up a lot of our effort. As a member of the boarding party I wear a helmet and bullet-proof vest, and I carry a 9mm pistol and a baton. You have to be ready.
"I'm also involved in the on-deck seamanship - life lines, anchoring and boatwork. There was one hairy moment in a typhoon off Japan where we were anchored but a 60,000 tonne container ship was drifting down on us. In the end it missed us but I was right next to the anchor chain with a hammer, ready to release the anchor chain in a second so we could scoot!
"Apart from Japan I've been to Russia , Singapore and Malaysia and all around Australia - not bad in only three years.
"One thing about patrol boats - there's never a groundhog day! It's always varied. There's the travel - you are always doing different stuff in different places - and there's a lot of mateship and fun on board.
"But I'll definitely be home for Christmas to see my Mum and Dad, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews - and maybe have some time left over to catch up with mates at the Kalamunda Hotel too."
Cameron and his shipmates are part of Operation Resolute. It's an operation that also includes Coastwatch, Customs, and the Royal Australian Air Force. Working together, their twofold mission is to protect Australia 's offshore economic zone, and to intercept illegal immigrants and smugglers of every description.