My Navy Memoir 1975 to 2002

I have written this more for the sake of my two daughters and wife who had very little idea of what I did in the Navy, where I had been and what I had served on.  I'll add the remaining 21 years as I write them.

Here goes. (Completed 30th May 2017)

My Journey as a Sailor in the Royal New Zealand Navy

1975

As a 16 year old boy at Palmerston North Boys High School, I had dreams.  Most of my school work was to ensure those dreams had a chance of coming to fruition.  I was solid at Maths, English, Tech Drawing and Geography with Biography a sideline success, but not a part of my plans.  I dreamed often about being an astronaut, yeah a dream, and also more practically an astronomer or meteorologist.

But things at home were hampering my progress.  As much as I loved my Dad we were always at each other’s throat about where we wanted me to go.  About the only thing we could agree on was sport and I played many sports at school.  Cricket I was fairly good at, just missing out on the 1^st XI.  Due to my weight and size I was consigned to the lower grades in rugby so not much going on there, but loved the game. I also was good at long distance running and Javelin, moderately ok at Wrestling and Boxing, and bloody awful at basketball.  So for a while to soothe my Dad’s desires for me, I played sport to the best I could.  However things were not good and soon a change was to happen.

I remember it well.  Wednesday 11^th April 1975, just Mum and I up as my brother and sisters had gone to bed.  Mum had kept me up for a reason.

“Thane, we have to do something to help keep the peace at home and I want you to follow your dreams.  It’s up to you, but there is an  Armed Forces recruiting drive happening at the RSA tomorrow, I’ll write a note for school. Go along and see if it’s a possibility for you.”

Now I loved my Mum more than anyone and when she spoke I listened.  So next day I went to school as usual, school uniform, bag and bike, plus the Note.  I sat in all the classes all morning with things going on in my mind and for the life of me I couldn’t see me finishing school, little alone going to university (my father’s desire).  Anyway, lunch time arrived and I made my way to my bike and cycled to the RSA on Broadway and presented myself to the front desk. The Army uniform at the door pointed me to the right room and I entered to find about 50+ people, all males, sitting in the room.  All were in civilian clothing, me being the only school uniform in sight. (I was to find out later I was the only one accepted to the Navy from that lot)

Another uniform stood up and spoke and from the instructions I eventually found myself at the Air Force desk.  This guy took my details and then asked me what I wanted to do in the Air Force and I said Meteorologist.  He rifled through his papers and said they weren’t recruiting them and there appeared to be no other positions suited to me, HOWEVER, the Navy might take you as a surveyor.

Herein the journey begins.  I made my way to the Navy Desk and this staunch CPO (I recognised the lapels after joining) asked me what I wanted to do in the Navy and I said the Air Force guy suggested Surveyor.  “You’re in luck kid, we’re taking survey recruits.  Here is some paperwork to fill out and go see this doctor and bring back the medical certificate.”  Then my heart stopped.  “How old are you kid?”  Told him 16 and ½ and he said “hmm might be too young, we’ll see.”  Wringing wet I as 70kg and only 5’6” and looked way to small.

So I did the paper work and found the doctor who took those vitals we’d all come to cherish (cough lad).

Anyway to cut a long story short, I returned all the papers and sat for another 2 hours while they were processed.  I was called up to the Navy desk again and was told “well done boy, you’re provisionally accepted, get your parents to sign this paper, send it to the address and the Navy will get back to you.  I asked him did I have to have both parents signatures and he said no, just one would be fine.

I then raced on my bike around to Mum where she worked (Furniture Department, PDC Department Store) and told her what I had done and she needed to sign the papers and send them off to the Navy.  I think she was shocked at what I had done but that was soon replaced with a sense of joy for me.

Well mid May the papers were returned and I was in.  Also enclosed was my train ticket to Auckland for Monday 26^th May.  Thankfully I didn’t have to tell Dad as I think Mum would have told him, but do have a vivid memory of him on the platform with a rather bemused look on his face.  That bemused look lasted most of my naval career.

The train trip north was my first big adventure without my family but being an overnighter, it was a dark, quiet journey surrounded by strange faces.  I did wonder how many were recruits too, and as it turned out on arrival in Auckland, many were.  The bus took us all over to HMNZS Tamaki (on Vauxhall Road Devonport) the Navy’s training establishment.  Tired and hungry we were formed up on the small parade ground (as there were only 72 of us) and the first part of being a sailor transpired.

“My name is CPO Barrett and you are now mine.  You will move when I say you move, I will say when you sleep, I will say how much you eat.  I own you.  Forget about your Mothers and sisters, your fathers and brothers, I am all of them rolled into one.”  Or words to that effect.  “Now get your bags and go to your dormitory, you’ll find your names and dorm numbers on the list by that door.”  This was my first acquaintance to three months in Leander 2 dorm. And a quick look said I had 17 room mates.

Entering the dorm all I could do was admire how bloody clean and shiny these old buildings were inside.  I was soon to find out why.  But also in this dorm were 9 bunks.  My name was on a bottom bunk so I went there and waited for our Class Petty Officer (Ernie Grey) to give us the guided tour.

Leander and Achilles Dorms (divisions) each had two dorms attached to each other, and both divisions shared a common shower room, laundry and drying room.  When one walked into all three it was like going back in time and soon we found out that’s what happened there.  The laundry was all tubs and wall mounted ironing boards, not one washing machine to be seen.  The drying rooms were big and hot and being the start of winter soon to be a great place to warm up from the cold efforts outdoors.  There was also, as we were told early on, a healthy disrespect between each division.  No, folks were chosen for each division, people were placed in classes in alphabetical order hence me being in Leander Class 2.

One of the CPO’s last comments before going into the dorms – say goodbye to your hair ladies.  And sure enough every one of the 72 recruits were bald.  Yes it got cold suddenly.

We were to be given three months indoctrination (BCT – Basic Common Training) to all things Navy.  PT at 0530 every morning, breakfast at 0700, dorm cleaning from 0730 – 0750, Parade from 0755 (Colours, the Navy way of saluting the Queen) until 0810, then Parade training for a few hours, followed by indoctrination into the history and traditions of the Navy, the ships that served then, and the likes of firefighting, Tear Gas training, Range shooting and weapon training, Ropework and Knots, NBCD (Nuclear Biological Chemical Defence), First Aid and sewing and looking after your kit (Navy clothing) We had what was called the Navy Bible, NZBR 67 and we learnt early to fold (after ironing) all our clothing to match the book.  Interesting exercise but one I still adhere to today.

During Basic training many new friendships were forged and most of the 72 I can still name today.  But also in Training Division we also learnt how to share our resources and make money from doing it.  I early on found I could spit polish boots very well and also Kit Web Belts (Khaki Canvas and Brass fittings) cleaning and polishing.  I made a pretty penny throughout and was also The Banker when guys ran out of money. One has to remember, a recruit in his first year made $1400 a year and we were “given” $20 a fortnight to buy smokes and goodies and booze (when ashore).  The rest of the pay was banked for us and the only bank we were allowed to use was the then PSIS (Now The Cooperative Bank, of which I am still a member).

There are so many tales of my time in BCT training but the most fulfilling were going from near last in the weekly ratings to finishing as 6^th best recruit at term end, as well as coming second in the Cross Country (with both Me and OSA Gavin Mills breaking the record).  Mum was so proud of me at our End of Term Parade (as the whole family had come up for it) and it was great to share this with them.

BBT (Basic Branch Training) 

Moving out of BCT’s in August and into Seamanship training was a new adventure.  We moved into Gambia Division (all the divisions were named after New Zealand WWII Cruisers) and started our ropework in earnest and learnt all the tools we’d need to paint ship, berth ships, do Replenishments at Sea and many other things.  We also were taken through our paces for our branch training (trade)  Oh yes, I turned up at Tamaki thinking I was going to be a surveyor, but on arrival was told they didn’t need any then so I was going to be a Gunner.  At this stage there were 15 of us and we formed a great camaraderie, something that is integral throughout the navy.  You learnt through BCT and BBT the importance of your mates and the lives you all had to share.

We also were put through our paces regularly at Torpedo Bay, Tamaki’s Sail Training facility.  We learnt to row 27 foot whalers and 30 foot cutters and sail both as well.  Both vessels were a hangover from the 19^th century but were great levellers and taught us all the importance of team work and diversification of tasks. And our class was one of the last to do sea training on the WWII Minesweeper HMNZS Inverell which was decommissioned soon after.

Gunnery Training

During BBT training we went through selection processes for three of the four seamanship trades, Gunnery, Radar Plotter, and Sonarman.  Although I did well as a radar plotter and not so good at sonar, my heart was set on Gunnery.  I was picked along with five others to do this training and we all settled into it well.  We learnt all about the history of gunnery from a great Gunnery Instructor (POGI Jack Donnelly), we learnt how to shoot small arms (9mm Pistol, 9mm Submachinegun, 7.62 L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle) L2A1 (Belt fed Machine Gun) 8mm Oerlikon, 40/60 Bofors Deck Gun  (all at Whangaparaoa) and of course the mighty 4.5’ Twin Barrelled guns on the Frigates.  We also learned about gunnery discipline.  Gunners always prided themselves as the sharpest dressers and the sharpest sailors.  As it turned out I finished top of the course (even though one of the smallest one on it)

So after six or so months in the Navy, what had changed?  The adventure was well and truly underway.  I had gained an inch or two in height and gained 7kg of muscle.  I was short and I was fit.  I was also smoking and drinking (back in the day, sailors in uniform were never asked their age so the pubs were “user friendly”.

1976

I drafted from Tamaki and into HMNZS Philomel, the Navy’s supply and services base, located in Devonport too.  I mustered after our Xmas Leave and was assigned a task as Senior Rates Messman.  Sounded interesting and largely wasn’t.  Cleaning, cleaning and playing pool.  This was NOT the excitement I was seeking and for six months I had to cool my heels.  Then in June I was posted with all my gunnery mates to HMNZS Canterbury.  Excitement levels high!!  The excitement soon turned to dismay as someone stole all my kit the first night I was in the Gunnery Mess (3Echo), under the GunBay for the turret). However I was soon issued new kit and my journey started.  Mess deck life was cramped and smelly, but bloody enjoyable.  As stated earlier, the key to good teamwork is everyone, despite issues, working together for the good of the ship.  Having said that though what is extremely paramount on ships is rivalry and the rivalry between the branches and trades was strong and hard case.

On Canterbury I discovered what I had had an inkling of when on Inverell, I had sea legs.  In fact

right throughout my career I had never been sea sick once (possibly a legacy of both my great grandfather and grandfather).  We sailed to Pago Pago to refuel before heading off to Australia for Kangaroo 2, a naval exercise with RAN and USN amongst others.  I soon found I wasn’t suited to the Gun Turret due to my size, and spent many hours shuffling 56lb shells and cartridge cases around the hoist in the Gunbay, UNTIL, I was sent to the Seacat Director for possible Fire Controlman training (missile aimer).  I spent most of my time in the Seacat Missile Room so hardly got any sun, until one day when there had been a de escalation of the “war” and I was sent to the Director for a bit of sun bathing and trying out the director.  Well just as I turned page 3 over in the Mickey Duck (navy term for Cartoon book) an F111 shot across our stern at low level and when they rolled the dice our back end was shot off.  The inquiry as to why the Seacats didn’t fire found fault in the RP’s not telling us “Bogey locked”  During the exercise I also became familiar with the “Can Man” (Canteen Manager) as we sailors hungered for chocky bars and fizzy drink.  That Can Man would feature much later in this story.

On the return journey home two things happened.  The first, I saw three Seacat Missiles fired successfully, and that got me hungering for being an FC Seacat Aimer.  However things were going to turn in a different direction before we arrived back in Auckland.  My then divisional Officer, Lieutenant Rick Howland, called me to his cabin and sat me down and then asked what it was I wanted to be when I joined and I told him a surveyor.  He then said if I had the choice of being a seacat aimer or a surveyor, what would it be?  I said to him I wasn’t sure what it entailed to be a surveyor and as I was heading down the seacat aimer track that’s what I would do.  He then said to me that it would probably take two to three years before the training became available.  I then said surveyor.  His response was to tell me that I would post off Canterbury on arrival DNB (Devonport Naval Base) and be posted to Tamaki for training as a surveyor’s assistant.

So for the very last time (well until HMNZS Resolution in 1999 and HMNZS Manawanui 1994-1999) I walked off a Grey Navy ship and headed into White Navy territory.

The training was conducted in the old Tasman by CPO SR (Chief Petty Officer Survey Recorder) Ron Brown and entailed three months of indoctrination into everything Surveying.  One has to remember, at the time there was no main survey ship, as HMNZS Lachlan (1949 – 1975) had decommissioned and Moana Roa (former NZ Government Island Trader) was sitting alongside DNB awaiting delivery to Scotland to become HMNZS Monowai) and the only other vessels in operation were the Survey Motor Launches (SML) HMNZS’s Tarapunga, Takapu and Paea on secondment.

With me on the training were my life long mates, Robert Cadzow (Cadz), Charlie Morrison, Dean Cooke and Rottier who left not long after.  Me and Cadz drafted to Tarapunga (TP) and Charlie and Dean posted to Takapu (TK) in early 1977.

1977

January found me introduced to Navy Rum, that’s when LS Warren Young, the Buffer (head of seamanship) welcomed us to TP and we soon fell into an environment that never really left me.  The SML’s were 72 foot twin engine twin propped wooden launches first built in 1942 for war service.  As the New Zealand Navy has always done, it makes great and long use of it’s vessels and the SML’s better than most.  They slept 6 up forward (forrid), a Coxswain and Engineer aft and the skipper dead aft.  The galley had a stove, a diesel burner and next to the forrid accommodation (yeah after ten days away, no shower and smelly diesel, we reeked) There was one small toilet that had to be pumped as you dumped and a small sink to shave in.  But they were character boats and bred great characters.  Far from the traditions of the gunners, ie looking ship shape and smart, SML crews were the scourge of the navy, unkempt, smelly and long haired.

When I first drafted to TP both boats were involved in the Firth of Thames survey, doing the finishing touches.  In my time there, as second angler (yes we used sextants, not electronics except the echo sounder) and as we could only work on fine days, the sun tans soon emerged.  We worked the mouth of the Wairau River, Te Kouma Harbour and Coromandel Harbour.  My first introduction to Banyans was at Te Kouma Harbour, where crews from both boats would anchor and go ashore for a BBQ and a few bevvies (Beers).

Once we finished there in about April, we then transferred around to Manukau Harbour for a harbour mouth survey and a survey of some of the reaches in the inner harbour.  I think in my whole naval career it was at Manukau that I came nearest to being sunk.  On the lights run out of the Harbour entrance we were struck by three very large and breaking waves on the Bar and the whole forrid mess was 2 foot deep in water (mixed with Windowlene and eggs, tragic mess!!)  Anyway we worked there for a couple of months then did the Raglan Harbour survey, then off to Marlborough Sounds to join the third survey SML Paea (seconded from the reservists for the Marlborough Sounds survey).  At this point in September me and Rob drafted off and with Tinks Morgan, Lyall Cowan and one other who’s name avoids me, went to work at Torpedo Bay sanding down whalers and fixing boats until the end of the month when we were to fly to Scotland to join the newly commissioned Monowai. 

“Were” I said.  Unfortunately I had, when drafting into my accommodation, found two very large bags of Marijuana in my bottom locker and I reported it and handed it in.  So whilst I had to stay in Devonport, my mates flew by Hercules via USA and Canada to Scotland, and I had a court martial to attend as a witness.  I’d almost given up hope of re-joining my mates but the two skates pleaded guilty and I was told my tickets were available, Civvy Air to Singapore, two nights there at the Armed Forces Hotel Fernleaf, and then British Airways to London via Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain. No Airforce air conditioning and chicken sandwiches for me.  As an aside, the night before flying out, I went to the ‘Splade (Esplanade Hotel, Devonport – then a sailors pub) and spent a goodly sum of my money, lost my virginity (found out in the morning her boyfriend was a navy diver) and hurriedly dressed and packed and got to the airport, changing my money, getting a bottle of rum duty free (DF’s) and getting on the plane with only 11 pounds to my name.  On the plane to Singers I was with two Army guys and they shouted me all the way, took me to the barracks at Dieppe on arrival and shouted me for two days, and then from Singers to London I paid 50 pence per a can of coke and drank my DF’s, arriving in London broke and hung-over.

My very first impression of Heathrow was – HUGE!!  My next impression was – WTF – never seen a Punk Rocker before.  I think the green Mohawk did it.  My connection to Glasgow was delayed 14 hours whilst there was an Air Traffic Controllers strike on, seats in any airport in those days didn’t cater for sleeping.  Anyway made it to Glasgow and no ship!!  Monowai had commissioned the previous week and was on sea trials in the North Sea and not due back for a few days.  The Naval Liaison Officer (a kiwi) stationed in Greenock, took pity on me when I told him I was penniless and lent me a few pound to tide me over (lend!!)  So from the cold of Auckland, to the super steamer of Singers, to the Freezer of Scotland, I got a cold and drinking didn’t help.

Eventually Monowai berthed at Greenock and I boarded her for the first time and boy talk about an

impressive ship!!  Proper wooden bunks, fresh paint, shiny decks, everything reeked new and reeked comfort.  And that comfort would become her stock in trade, making her a bearable platform to work on in all the years she worked.

I didn’t get to see many sights in Scotland, the bars were just too inviting (as were the people and the ladies loved our kiwi accent and humour) and besides in October and November the cold arctic wind cut right through you and no amount of expensive coats and clothing could keep it out.  Yeah ok we played rugby once!!  Against a soccer team and lost 27-3.

Soon after we sailed from there and courses to Amsterdam.  Due to an earlier indiscretion in Scotland I was only to spend 1 day ashore in the Dutch Gem but this time I did sight see and what a marvellous place.  Most of my mates only saw the deep side of Canal Street, ratbags!!  I bought a whole lot of Tulip Bulbs for Mum, some glasses for Dad, and dolls for my sisters and a painting for my brother. Funny thing on those tulips from Amsterdam (it’s a song – yeah corny I know) we were told by our MAF rep in London we’d get them into NZ no worries.  More to follow.

From Amsterdam we sailed to Portland UK to do our Naval Work Up.  Let me explain.  All Naval Ships have to do a work up to pass their Warrant of Fitness to operate not only as a ship but as a crew. So in Portland the Royal Navy put us through our paces for 6 days and at the end of it we got a sort of OK but more a “we don’t do Merchant Ships but you’re close enough to be a good ship.  Not really a pass and not really a fail.  We then sailed to London and sailed up the Thames, through Tower Bridge and berthed alongside HMS Belfast, the Royal Navy’s working Museum.  We spent 6 days in London, once again an indiscretion in Portland meant I only had one day to sight see and this time my Uncle David, Marge and Bianca took me around London and down to Deal in Kent (not far from the Royal Marine barracks) to see m family, Aunty Marlene, Uncle Bob, David and Susan.

I have to say, that in all my journeys around the world, the UK was the least inspiring.  Drab and strange.

From London we sailed to Gibraltar with a special visit to the Naval base there and the grave of Lord Nelson.  A visit to see the monkeys on “The Rock” was and is a must.  Then onto Monte Carlo (Monaco) and a highlight to the trip thus far.  Mixing it with the rich and famous was cool, but the coolest thing to happen was some of the crew hired Mopeds and (in uniform) headed off to Italy on the Autobahn to have a proper Pizza.  By all accounts they found a VW Kombi parked outside (a black and orange one) and across the back in white letters was “From Taihape to Eketahuna via The World”.  Apparently the pizza was crap.  The best thing  there was going on a tour through Monte Carlo Casino during Cleaning Time (0600 – 0700 - no uniforms allowed during gambling hours).  Wow!!  On my bucket list when Lotto comes in!!  We also met with Jacques Cousteau and had a tour around (the very small) Calypso and his Oceanographic Museum, all great adventures.

Then it was courses for Cairo and the Suez Canal.  All the way there through the Mediterranean Sea we had a beam sea and strong winds, not exactly sunbathing and painting weather (yes painting already, seems the painting in Scotland meant water was trapped under the new paint and rust soon appeared).  The Suez soon arrived and we were ushered into our anchorage at the head of the convoy to proceed the next day.  We weren’t allowed ashore so had the pleasure of “Bum Boats” (hawkers selling trinkets and food to ships at anchor) and I bought some “authentic Egyptian artefacts and copious amounts of dates (I gave the trinkets to Mum and ate all the dates before getting home). We also had a Gully Gully Man (Egyptian magician) astound us all afternoon.

Next morning saw us leading a 30 ship convoy through the Suez.  In those days Egypt and Israel were sworn enemies, on the Egyptian side of the canal right along it’s length were huge stop banks and pointing out of those stop banks near the tops were Tanks buried in the soil ready for action.  On the Israeli side (The Sinai) were scores of burnt out wrecks from the Six Day War.  One bizarre thing all along the length, Egyptian Soldiers stopped what they were doing and whistled as we went past, a high pitched shrill.

Through the Suez and into the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea through to Bombay we had great weather and shirts off and painting ship as we went. Oh and yeah, we frightened the hell out of a Russian Missile Patrol Boat which was hoved to painting ship.  Must have had them wondering why a large white elephant changed course to take a peek at them.

1978

Bombay you could smell 30 miles out to sea.  You could see the smog too at that distance.  Remember from the bridge of Monowai, the visible horizon was only 13 miles.  We were to spend 6 days in Bombay and what a great place, if not strange and unsettling at times.  The Regulator (Navy Policeman) flew in from Singers (Singapore) to brief the crew on what not to do, where not to go, and how to avoid being imprisoned.  Of course this was a signal for sailors to do the exact opposite.  However not yours truly.  I spent a good deal of time shopping (Persian Rug of the Last Supper which I gave to Aunty Do) and more dolls and trinkets.  I also enjoyed the food, I love curries and this was curry heaven.  On the 5^th day, New Year’s Eve, we were allowed to do an age old tradition when in port on New Year’s Eve, to visit all the other ships in harbour and share booze and stories.  There were over 50 ships in Bombay that night and I managed to get to about 20, wandering home in a blithe but happy state at about 0600.  I think of all the ports on this tour of duty, Bombay was my favourite.

Monowai then sailed, crew intact, just!  Singers was a few days away and the weather held good again but it did get steamier and more humid, not good conditions for drying paint, but still plenty of chipping and preserving to do, plus boat drills and sea trials.  Arriving in Singers I reacquainted myself with my army buddies from the earlier meeting and shouted them out.  I also bought my first SLR Camera there, my trusty Yashica TL Electro 35mm (which lasted till sold in 1993) .  After Singers was a quick trip to Cairns in Australia and our first Milkshakes and Fish and Chips since leaving home some three months previous. We were briefed by an Aussie Customs Officer on our port protocols, being no food or drinks to be taken ashore.  I had the guts to ask him if we were allowed to shit ashore.  Yeah honest question.

On arrival home, the pride of the Survey Navy was greeted by a large crowd of Navy bigwigs and family.  A well-deserved break back home and then back to the grind and our first survey, The Bay Of Plenty.  Boy could that ship rock and roll in rough weather (roughers).  The large swells of the Bay certainly put the ship at work and a crew even harder at work.  In those days due to there being no ships for survey ratings, the crewing was limited survey wise so we had to do quite long watches on equipment new to all.  Monowai’s Mainframe Computer took up a whole room and it drove all the electronic equipment on the bridge, but it was driven then by ticker tapes punched by officers on duty.  Yeah she was the best equipped survey ship of her time computer wise and she worked really well.  Gone were the days of sextant surveying, gone the days of leadlines et al.  In its place dark nights and dark days closed up with red and green diodes trying to burn your eyes out (most surveyors from that era had glasses by the time they were 30)

During this survey, another smaller survey was being conducted based at Whitianga (Mercury Bay survey) in the form of a Boat Camp.  Usually Boat Camps use small launches attached to the main survey ship, but as Monowai had not yet got her two SMB’s (Survey Motor Boats) two vessels were seconded from the naval Base, they being Penguin, a former launch from Lachlan and motor launch for Torpedo Bay operations, and the Philomel tender Meola.  The crew for the boat camp was drawn from Monowai and some from other areas.  We were stationed from July through August to September at a Motel on the waterfront.  During this camp the Coromandel was engulfed in heavy rain for days and major flooding occurred, especially on the coast.  The sea washed over the foreshore road at high tides and low-lying areas were flooded.  For three days we sandbagged the town.

After the end of the survey I was posted to the SML Takapu, then transferred to SML Tarapunga after Takapu decommissioned  We did surveying around Great Barrier Island's East Coast through this period and suffice to say life long friendships were borne out of those times. However in 1979 October I was tasked to whitewash paint a large rock face ashore.  I was utterly ill prepared to climb rocks, heavy gumboots had no grip in ledges.  I was about 5 metres up the face, one hand the paint tin and the other the brush.  Suffice to say I lost my footing and fell onto a sharp rock, shattering every bone in my right foot.  Hell of a way to get home for your 21st (Pfft)

1980

I transferred to the new Inshore Survey Craft (ISC) Tarapunga which had replaced the aging SML of the same name.  I joined her, under the command of LtCdr Ray Gillbanks at the very start of the Foveaux Strait survey, that would go on for another 3 and ½ years by all Survey Navy ships.  The Strait would also become my spiritual home.  The adversity faced daily there made a man tough, made a man a man, and made women quiver in fear.  Ok so maybe not the last but I’m writing this history.  I soon got used to snow, biting winds, powerful seas, frost bite, vehicles that wouldn’t start and when they did start you couldn’t see out the front window (frost bitten ears when driving in a hoar frost with head out the side window not fun).  We worked there until our return to DNB in December.

I worked continuously on TP from January until September 1980 in and around the Foveaux Strait with the occasional trips out on the oyster boats when TP had mechanical issues, earning two 35 dozen sacks of the product for my pay.  I no longer eat shellfish!!  But as a part of our job we did many things.  We drove four wheel drives up steep and boggy peaks to service our trisponders (range beacons), we had tide gauges to set up with tide poles to measure the tide, we did current meter runs to measure tidal flow, we surveyed lines for the entire area of the survey with the ISC’s (long hours during the day as we had to work into shores and rocks and needed lookouts during the day, and at night we processed the whole lot).  Usually working from 0700 till after 2300, day in day out for 12 days with a 2 day weekend break between.  And before the survey started we had to triangulate all our beacon points, reconnoiter tidal station and reconnoiter the survey area for hidden dangers (usually with side scan sonar)

Yes September saw me draft to Monowai again and this time we were doing the sea lane survey off the North Cape and the Awarua River.  During this survey on the river I was on SMB Seagull (an 8 metre boat from Lachlan days) we encountered a pod of Orca coming up the river.  Apart from the Whale Shark in Stewart Island earlier that year, this was my next biggest sea life moment.

November saw Monowai embarking on the ANZCAN Survey.  This survey was to determine the route for the laying of the Telephone Cable from Takapuna Beach, up to Norfolk Island, across to Sydney, back to Norfolk Island, up to Suva, Fiji, on to Hawaii and finally across to Vancouver Canada.  I stayed onboard until I was crashed drafted to TP again on Christmas Eve from Suva.  But up until then we spent long hours (24 hours a day) surveying the proposed route and dropping many Boomerang Corers (getting seabed samples) as well as surveying the very dangerous Fighting Bay on Norfolk Island in small boats in very large swells, where the cable was going ashore.  But we also had time to sample each port we went to and Norfolk (no port) and Sydney and Suva met our high drinking standards (and mucho fun).  In those days we were three crew manning. Which meant there were three half crews of operational personnel, 2 halves always on the ship the other half working back in Auckland.  It was called Enhanced Manning and it worked for that survey.  So when I was posted back to TP from Suva, I also travelled with 17 others in the crew rotation.

And wouldn’t you know it, the flight from Nadi was delayed several hours so what are keen sailors to do in an airport for that time?  Of course, the bar, and we imbibed in Fiji’s own Frigate Rum, boarded our Air Pacific plane (free booze in those days) drank the plane dry, hit our DF’s and arrived in Auckland after 3 and ½ hours in a pickled state.  This was Christmas Eve right.  Well a Regulator was there to meet the plane and when he saw half the crew wheeling the other half in trolleys plus all the baggage he knew something was up.  Customs were not amused!!  Anyway, the kindly Jossman (Regulator) had a bus, and he kindly dropped everyone off at their homes on the way, leaving a few of us at the Panmure Tavern (Yikes).  Nek Minit I wake up and I’m in a cell at Auckland Central Police Station, my only ever visit there.  Held to detox and then sent back to base with a warning.  Phew!!

1981

 Back to Tarapunga (ISC - Inshore Survey Craft) and to Napier for the Napier Roads (navy speak for sea lanes near ports) This was to be the new ship's first survey and after a period of time we finished there and went to Foveaux Strait to commence a period of three years off and on and at the same time we were changing postings between Monowai (MW) and the ISC's (Inshore  Survey Craft)  Around this time the start of the SOPAC (South Pacific) deployments occurred , 3 months over winter in 1981, 82, and 83 Monowai surveyed around The Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Funafuti and Tokelau.  There were also other destinations but I missed them.

In 1983 Monowai (yup I was back on her) started the Cook Strait Survey and this was a full on survey with boats deployed, survey equipment deployed and recovered, and regular Helicopter  actions.  I think I coined that we surveyors were the highest paid rock painters (throwing plastic bags with whitewash from a hovering chopper at key rocks for survey marking) and the lowest paid computer operators.  As part of this survey I had my first time at a Slave Station.  These are sites where our navigational equipment are positioned and we had two caravan's for 3 crew, one an accommodation Caravan and the other a services (loo/shower) and generator.  The cocky politely allowed us to have a turkey or two, and with us finding a crayfish processing plant nearby, we ate like kings.  The crew was Ian Sedgwick (LME), Cindy Sinclair (ARF) and me. (Yeah what goes on tour stays on tour).  I think it was this time that we had a port visit to home port Gisborne and were alongside when the Freezing Works by the wharf had a major fire flare up, and ship's company assisted in a number of ways, suffice to say the building was saved.

Once again I found myself back on Tarapunga, this time redoing the Manukau Bar survey, then back to Foveaux Strait to continue work off Stewart Island with LtCdr John Stokes as a CO.  We last served together in SML TP days and I (and others) admired his mana.  This year also found me back on MW doing my last SOPAC and it was by and large the best time I had in the service of our country.

1984

Early 1984 MW was deployed to do some finishing up work around Stewart Island.  Whilst in the area, major flooding hit Invercargill and teams of crew were deployed to strip carpets, clean out sewage affected homes and basically do what they could do.  Being February the temperatures after the flooding made for terrible stench.  In April, I drafted from MW and made my way to HMAS Penguin in Sydney for my Survey Ones Course with my mate Richard "Revs" Revell.  We were rather pissed off, week before going over Robert Muldoon, Minister of Finance and Prime Minister, cut the exchange rate.  Before we were getting 84 cents in the dollar Aussie, now we had 56!!  Suffice to say we managed but the BeeWahs (beerskies) were thin.  I did have a guardian angel however, lol.  I failed to get first in the class, missing out by 0.5%.

The rest of the year I surveyed from TP around Centre Island in Foveaux Strait.

1985

I was posted to the RNZN Hydrographic Office located on Byron Ave in Takapuna.  I was doing two main tasks, correction of Navy Charts, and collating Nationwide Tidal records, and analysing them (with WO Terry Ashdown as Tidal Officer.) During this item I got to know the civvy staff on social occasions, and suffice to say it was an altogether great posting.  In mid 85 we were seconded to conduct search surveys with SMB Pandora (the Hydro Schools SMB) to do Side Scan Sonar (SSS) sweeps of the Waitemata Harbour to Mechanics Bay searching for material relating to the Rainbow Warrior sinking withsuccess.

After that I returned to Hydro Office and just before the end of the year I posted back to TP and involved in SSS surveys out of major ports, the start of my affiliation with MCM (Maritime Mine Countereasures) (More to follow.)

1986

Continuation of some MCM work around Aramoana then deployed to commence the Nelson Roads surveying -  the Waimea River Estuary, Mapua Harbour, Motueka River and Tarakohe.  In essence a mixture of small boat sounding (we had two Army LUB's) and offshore ISC work.

The weather was just spot on. One of the great things about surveying there, between TK and TP there were 8 rugby players playing for the Riwaka Rugby team in the Nelson Bays Senior competition.  Training at night was bloody cold however.

1987

After another short stint in the Tidal Office and I was back on MW early 87.  We were working around Bay of Plenty areas, particularly around Hicks Bay, East Cape and down the coast to Gisborne Roads.  I posted off again mid year, and rejoined MW on Black Monday (Stock Market Crash.) in Brisbane. As chance would have it, Location Grant was meted out and a quick visit of 3 and 1/2 hours at Jupiters Casino saw a healthy windfall, all of which disappeared on a 10 minute shopping spree for baby stuff (my baby girl arrived earlier) in Coles.  The rest of the year was us working on MW around the BOP still.

1988

Cyclone Bola - February 1988.  What a bloody mess!!  MW was still deployed in the BOP and was in the thick of efforts to rescue locals ashore, whether by manpower, vehicles or helicopters.  The tragedy of the aftermath was all too evident.  Most of the time we sheltered in Hicks Bay. After the efforts to rescue folks and help with the aftermath, we returned to finishing off that HI (Hydrographic Instruction) and headed off to start the Bay of Islands survey. I drafted off again to be Head of School for Hydrography, a wholly enjoyable experience. It was great to work with young keen minds and fashion great droggies for their careers ahead. We also had female droglets, the first operations branch to do so.

1989

I returned to Monowai.  As Chief H onboard from 89-91 we had many diversions and tasks.  BOI survey was a great mix of boat sounding (SMB's), shore parties and Ship Sounding, it was full on. I know I extol all crew on all ships but I think this period was a wonderful and happy crew, especially our Droggies.  The biggest trait a droggy can have is a twisted sense of humour and thick skinned.  The BOI drogs were bloody hilarious.

1991

found us given an HI to survey the eastern roads off Auckland Islands.  We sailed early February and for three weeks with mostly good weather completed all the surveying tasking.  Fine wind in the Auckland Islands means lots of cold wind and no sleet.  Many a helo operation was on the dicey side but a skilled pilot (Lt Stevie Barham) made life easier for us terrified drogs.  There was some very wild pigs and seals on the main island and a few near misses for our boys ashore.

Returning from the Islands we were bashed around with 15m swells astern the ship. Suffice to say even hardened sailors were worried about the old girl moaning.

On return to Auckland we joined the rest of the Navy and deployed around the country to celebrate the Navy's 50th celebration.  After a trip to Gisborne, Dunedin, and Lyttelton we arrived in Wellington for the major parades.  I transferred to HMNZS Tui for my next journey in the Navy, Regulating Coxn.  Tui completed her Navy Celebrations and was tasked to continue her Towed Array duties.

1992

Tui was deployed around the south pacific with her duties, including Oceanographic work. She was then deployed to Cairns, then to Vanuatu and the Solomons to represent New Zealand at the 50th Anniversary of the Guadacanal Landings. After a quick survey of the Kavachi Volcano (Click Here) we headed back to the Tasman Sea for tasking and then back to Auckland. After a port visit to Tui's home port (Napier) I was drafted to work in MCM.

1993-1997

The next 9 years would find me working in MCM, as administrator, designer, tutor/course writer/trainor and computer analyst, I retired from my 20 years in 1995 and 5 weeks later reenlisted.  Our work was under MARCOM (Maritime Commander) and as such we organised, tasked, and examined the RNZNVR and seconded to HMNZS Manawanui with MCM 01 (container package).  I had great times during this facet of my life, seeing how part time sailors excel at the tasks we gave them and the joy on their faces.

1998

Throughout my career I have been directly involved in search and rescues around the coast, usually searching for bodies.  I had been involved twice in recovering corpses.  Nasty part of life.  In August 19 - 1998 a Cessna with 8 people onboard crashed into the Foveaux Strait. We at MCM were tasked to go to Dunedin, join a reservist crew on HMNZS Moa and make tracks for the strait.  After one day we found the plane on the seabed.  After we berthed and news had spread about our find, the father of two children, asked if we'd find his son (whom he couldn't keep afloat).  That was one of  the hardest moments in my navy life.

1999

My last survey posting, HMNZS Resolution.  Truth be told I was a little rusty on the modern gear they were using (as they were rusty on MCM equipment) But I enjoyed my time back with the hard-cases, you very rarely find an unhappy drog world.  New Years Eve found Reso in Gisborne for the Millennium Celebrations (Firstlight)

2000

Posted back to MCM then to HMNZS Ngapona, the Auckland Reservist Division.  After a spot of health issues I ended up in 2001 at Reserves HQ at MARCOM rewriting and digitizing the Reserve Bible (NZBR 27)

Oh yes, the Can Man on Canterbury, I married his daughter, best thing I ever did.