Submariner commended for innovative guest lodgings

It was a career milestone for a HMAS Stirling-based submariner when he was presented with both a Chief of Navy Gold Commendation and the Inaugural Chief of Navy Innovation Excellence Award.

CAPTION: Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan presents Warrant Officer Paul Ross with a Commendation and Innovation award in front Submarine Force personnel on Diamantina Pier at Fleet Base West, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Richard Cordell.
Story by Andrew Bujdegan, first published in Navy Daily

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan presented Warrant Officer Marine Technician – Submariner Paul Ross with the awards during a recent visit to Navy’s West Australian base.

Warrant Officer Ross identified a critical problem in the way additional personnel were accommodated on submarines in that current extra bunking arrangements were not ideal for use over an extended period.

Essentially, the extra beds were strapped onto the submarine’s weapons rails and slowly deteriorated over time.

Warrant Officer Ross designed a special submarine accommodation capsule (SAC) that takes inspiration from a torpedo, and allows the unit to be embarked and disembarked the same way as a torpedo, using existing loading arrangements.

When deployed, the SAC opens up length-ways to provide three sleeping spaces per side for a total of six bunks.

Storage lockers are also located under each bunk for personal items.

As is standard for all new concept trials, feedback provided from end users has allowed for minor modifications to the unit, which now provides even more safety, comfort and security for personnel using the capsules.

“Living and working in a submarine calls for a high degree of endurance by all those who go on board, so anything we can do to increase comfort levels will benefit the whole crew,” he said.

The Chief of Navy Innovation Excellence Award was established to recognise the most outstanding innovation in Navy each year.

Marking criteria is based on quality, creativity, leadership, initiative, accountability and leverage of the nomination.

Vice Admiral Noonan said the SAC solution demonstrated the opportunities that existed for innovation in all facets of Navy life.

“Everything we do can always be improved, from the way we operate or most complex weapon systems to the everyday things we do in the business of simply being human beings.

“Often, the people at the coalface – our junior and senior sailors – gain the most hands-on experiences of life at sea and therefore have the best opportunities to recognise where things can be done better.

“It is up to us as leaders to give them a voice to brainstorm their solutions, and ensure that it’s heard – because the very best innovations become realities this way.

“I congratulate Warrant Officer Ross for his clever innovation, which will make a significant impact to the lives of everyone who spends time on our submarines,” Vice Admiral Noonan said.

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