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HMS
Ocean gallery | Sunderland
Airshow gallery
If
you thought the Navy was full of stuffy old men in freshly starched
uniforms - think again.
The
Royal Navy's largest warship, HMS Ocean, is testament to how hard
the Royal Navy has worked over the years to create equality in their
ranks.
With
almost as many women among the crew as men, the ship has a pleasant,
modern atmosphere that mixes hard work with good humour.
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Interviews
with crew members
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Reverend
Michael Brotherton MBE BD Royal Navy Church of England Chaplain
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| Reverend
Michael Brotherton MBE |
The
Reverend was born in Morpeth,
Northumberland, on
6 July 1956.
He was educated in
Cambridge at Chesteron Boy's school and later graduated in Divinity
at Aberystwyth College, University of Wales.
He
joined the Royal Navy as a Chaplain in 1984.
He enjoys music and plays the pipe organ and piano. As a keen
scooterist, he has some beautiful scooters.
Read more
on the fascinating life of Reverend Michael Brotherton MBE BD |
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Amy
Campbell
Amy
Campbell, 17, of Killingworth, Newcastle, is a new recruit
on HMS Ocean and has only been in the Navy since January.
Before joining, Amy was a hairdresser.
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| Amy
Campbell |
She
said: "My older brother, Lee, has been in the Navy for
four years and loves it so much I decided to join too, as
I have always wanted to travel.
"I've
only been on HMS Ocean for a week but I am really enjoying
it so far and have made lots of friends."
Amy
works as a steward, serving all the officers. A typical day
for Amy starts at 8.00am, serving breakfast to the officers,
doing daily tasks, making up the bed, cleaning the officer's
cabins, then going on and serving dinner.
Even after dinner, it doesn't stop as she has other jobs in
and around the ship, finishing with serving the evening meal
and hopefully finishing around 9pm. Life never has two days
the same for Amy.
On
a quiet day she can finish at lunch time when she can go off
shift and spend the rest of the day off doing what ever she
wishes, most of the time she sleeps or watches videos or catches
up with some TV.
Amy
is looking forward as in September she will still be on board
HMS Ocean when it goes off to Russia.
The
most important things that Amy misses when she is away at
sea are her friends and family. Amy has just heard that her
dad hasn't been too well so she is sending her message of
get well soon and to let her dad know that she is thinking
of him.
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Duncan
Wilkinson
Marine
engineer/mechanic Duncan Wilkinson, 21, of High Barnes, Sunderland,
has been in the Navy for two and a half years.
This
is still his first ship and he loves every minute. Duncan
joined the Navy as he felt it would be an opportunity to travel
the world but now he finds that when he is away, he still
misses his family.
Duncan,
perhaps more than the others on board, was looking forward
to HMS Ocean docking at Sunderland, as his parents and family
were all going to be there to cheer the ship coming in, and
he couldn't wait to see his mates and go down the pub.
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Amanda
Walker
Amanda Walker, 19, of Darlington, has been in the Navy for
18 months and says that the job is what you make it.
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| Amanda
Walker |
She
said: "It can be hard work but the job is whatever you
want it to be. If you work hard and are willing to help others
with their jobs, they will help you with yours.
"Everybody
works as a team and tries to make everyone's life easier.
"I
don't really get homesick although I am hoping to go home
for my mum's wedding on September 11 2004 if I can."
Amanda,
like Amy, works as a steward. The hours can be long and hard
work but she always enjoys them with an enthusiasm.
For
the short time that Amanda has been in the Navy she has found
her true love on board the ship. He is a stoker marine engineer
mechanic.
Before
joining the Navy, Amanda worked in a Chinese takeaway and
also went to college for two years to learn all about sport
and fitness, knowing that you not only have to work hard in
the Navy, but you have to be very fit as well.
The
best piece of information that Amanda can tell anyone, is
when stepping over the hatches, make sure that you raise your
leg high enough to get over. As she is learning to her cost,
her poor shins are black and blue.
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Gary
Carter
Chief Petty Office and Chief weapons engineer/mechanic, Gary
Carter, 40, is originally from Pennywell, Sunderland, but
now lives in Cornwall. He has been in the Navy for twenty-three
and a half years.
Gary
couldn't wait for HMS Ocean to dock in Sunderland, as he still
has four brothers and sisters living in Sunderland and he
says that the only time he gets to see them now is at weddings
or other family events.
Still
being a big Black Cat's fan is hard for Gary as he doesn't
get to go to many matches now but he does try to watch the
football on TV if he gets the chance.
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John
Gibson
Chief
Petty Officer John Gibson, 38, of Jarrow, Newcastle has been
in the Navy on and off for 18 years and is still very much
enjoying the experience. In John's own words "he is still
living the dream".
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| John
Gibson |
John
misses his family and the atmosphere of when he is out drinking
in South Shields.
Both
his dad and uncle were in the Merchant Navy, so he felt from
a very young age to be "lured towards" the services.
The
best part of being in the Navy for John is being amongst people,
as he says morale is brilliant and he quite enjoys being at
sea, where at times even above the hum of the engines, it
can be very quiet.
John's
day would normally start around 8.00am. First port of call
is to check out all his new e-mails as he seems to get quite
a few a day. John basically has everything to do with the
ships Computer Systems, CCTV system, opps rooms, Combat and
Command Systems. A very busy chap.
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