Three home-port visits for Hobart local

A sailor from Hobart has enjoyed three port visits to his home town since joining the Navy.

CAPTION: Petty Officer Adam O’Brien stands on the flight deck as HMAS Arunta pulls into Hobart ahead of the 185th Royal Hobart Regatta. Story and photo by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan.

Leaving home in 2011 at 19 to join, Petty Officer Combat Systems Supervisor Adam O’Brien said he didn’t expect to have a port visit back to Hobart in less than a year.

“It was a shock – my first ship was HMAS Newcastle, within the week I joined we were sailing to Hobart and I’d only been in the Navy for six months,” Petty Officer O’Brien said.

He returned this year for his second Royal Hobart Regatta, which he said was a fun experience and gave him a chance to see his old school friends, parents and even his grandparents.

“Being a Hobart local, it’s a great experience to be able to sail into port and experience the excitement in the air especially for something as big as the Regatta,” Petty Officer O’Brien said.

“My favourite part of the Navy is definitely the travel aspect and being out on the ocean, seeing nothing but the water while we sail to different parts is an experience that I love.

“I can’t choose my favourite place I’ve been to with the Navy, but it would have to be between Jordan, Japan or even Dubai.”

Being a combat systems supervisor means Petty Officer O’Brien specialised as an aircraft controller which he thoroughly enjoyed.

“The best thing about the Navy is the camaraderie, how I bond with my mess mates and the different people you meet,” he said.

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