Tipping rotting shark flesh off the side of an illegal fishing vessel, Boatswain’s Mate Able Seaman Elias Harbison was far from the green expanse of the Bundaberg farm he called home. 

With a childhood spent on a 25-hectare cattle farm on the outskirts of Bundaberg, Able Seaman Harbison never imagined his life would one day revolve around the sea. 

“It was awesome. Motorbikes, guns, the whole lot – I miss it all the time, especially when I’m out at sea,” he said.

Able Seaman Harbison’s journey to the Royal Australian Navy began after a short stint at university, which he hated. 

Growing up, he listened to his granddad’s tales of the sea from when he had served in the Navy.

When Able Seaman Harbison entered the Navy, he did so with a perspective shaped by his granddad and life on the land.

“Growing up on a farm gives you a bit of common sense,” he said.

After initial training and time in Port Services in Darwin, he set his sights on patrol boats.

“Watching others head out while I stayed on the wharf gave me FOMO [fear of missing out],” he said.

That all changed when he posted to HMAS Bathurst, an Armidale-class patrol boat. 

“I was stoked. I’d been on Bathurst before, so I knew the platform and some of the crew,” Able Seaman Harbison said.

'Talking to older sailors, you realise how much these boats have had a huge impact on operations up north.'

Eighteen months later, and Able Seaman Harbison has packed in plenty of experiences.

“I’ve learned heaps getting my RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) coxswain endorsement, driving the helm, maintaining and firing weapons, and of course, boardings. That’s my favourite part,” he said.

His first boarding was near Melville Island. 

“We jumped on a fishing vessel with big drums of shark meat and the smell was terrible,” he said.

“It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt good knowing we were doing our part to protect Australia’s waters.” 

Since then, he has visited ports from Darwin to Cairns, and even Bali. 

As his time on Bathurst draws to a close, he reflected on the significance of the Armidale-class patrol boat.

“Talking to older sailors, you realise how much these boats have had a huge impact on operations up north,” Able Seaman Harbison said.

From farm life to the front line of maritime security, his first posting has been a journey of growth, challenge and camaraderie.

“I think I’ve been pretty lucky,” he said. 

“But, yeah, it’s time for the next chapter.”