In a world full of constant distractions, Able Seaman Grace Galloway finds her ‘happy place’ is out in the ocean, diving under a 118-metre warship.

Serving as a stoker in HMAS Toowoomba, she is also a member of the ship’s diving team. Their role is to maintain and repair the vessel while at sea – something she describes as the ultimate team sport.

“When down there, you look up and know that there’s a whole crew working on a giant ship and you’re beneath them. It’s quiet, but it’s amazing,” Able Seaman Galloway said.

“It’s a cohesive team, and there’s no rank on the dive site, which I think helps make us feel equal. Everybody pulls their weight and helps with any task.

It’s a specialised skill where every member of the dive team must work together, because with 3600 tonnes above and nothing below, there’s zero margin for error.

“You have to be very present in the moment when you’re diving. Because if you make a mistake, it can be catastrophic,” Able Seaman Galloway said.

Despite the pressure, Able Seaman Galloway said volunteering for the role has come with an unexpected benefit in all other aspects of her life – the ability to find complete mindfulness.

“Because you need to be very conscious of what you’re doing down there, I was surprised to find how the skill has translated back to when I’m on the surface, learning how to be calm and present in any moment,” she said.

'You have to be very present in the moment when you’re diving. Because if you make a mistake, it can be catastrophic.'

Toowoomba diving officer Sub-Lieutenant Liam Stone admitted while the job was not for the faint hearted, it’s a critical capability every vessel needs.

“If we didn’t have a dive capability, it increases the risk of being stuck or having to be towed,” Sub-Lieutenant Stone said.

“When at sea, we regularly need to dive under our hull and inspect the propellers in order to conduct maintenance, or free the ship from fouling.”

Physical fitness is also a priority. Despite a ship coming to a complete stop for diving operations, mother nature always has other plans.

“The ship is rocking and rolling, but when you’re underwater, you’re not,” Sub-Lieutenant Stone said.

“The wind will blow the ship through the water faster than the current will take the diver, so most of the time, you’re not only carrying out repairs, but constantly swimming to stay in one place.”

Sub-Lieutenant Stone said that for any Navy member who likes a challenge or is keen to develop the resilience to overcome adversity, their team is the best place to start.

“It’s rewarding doing something hard and something that can make you feel uncomfortable,” he said.

“Once you learn to do it well, you prove to yourself that with enough training and practise you can achieve really difficult things.”

Toowoomba is undertaking a regional presence deployment throughout East and South-East Asia, conducting operations, exercises and other engagements with Australia’s regional partners.