UK: Sailors from HMS Bulwark Toughen up for Olympic Mission

Sailors from HMS Bulwark tackled the high ropes course at HMS Raleigh as part of their ongoing preparations for this summer’s Olympics. More than two dozen junior ratings from the flagship took part in a team-building exercise at the Torpoint establishment. Later this year they and their ship will stand guard in Weymouth Bay for the duration of the Games as part of the huge security effort to shield the sporting spectacular from terrorist attack.

With one eye on steeling sailors from the nation’s flagship for their impending security mission around the 2012 Games, 27 junior rates from HMS Bulwark were dispatched across the Hamoaze to HMS Raleigh for a spot of team-building.

Last year the Torpoint establishment installed the high ropes course which rises 13 metres (42ft in old money) above the ground.

The course was built as part of the revamp of the ten-week initial training course for new recruits passing through Raleigh’s gates – the aim is to stimulate ‘controlled stress’ (sailors are attached by harnesses and supported by their shipmates on the ground by ropes, so the danger’s only perceived…).

Beyond the 1,200 or so Raleigh trainees using the facility, it’s also available to Devonport-based ships; in this case, Bulwark dispatched sailors who will be undergoing leadership training later this year to prepare them for promotion.

23-year-old Wtr Michaela Tough said:

“The leap of faith doesn’t look that hard from the ground, but when you get to the top and the platform is wobbling on its pole, it’s very different,” 

“It’s a nice feeling now I’ve done it because I feel like I’ve achieved something.

“As well as the teamwork and trusting your shipmates, there is an element of leadership in this training by encouraging others and helping them to conquer their fears.”

LAC Alec Hinds, aged 27, added:

“It’s important to be able to trust your shipmates and there were a mix of rates and different branches of the Ship’s Company taking part.

“By doing something like this it gives you the confidence that if you are in a war situation you can trust your shipmates to watch out for you.”

The training at Raleigh took place during the ship’s professional development week, which aimed to provide an opportunity for members of the ship’s company to improve their own performance and increase their professional knowledge and expertise.

Subjects covered involved leadership forums with military and business leaders, visits to Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth and the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, and briefings on military and personnel key topics.

Capt Alex Burton, Bulwark’s Commanding Officer, said:

“HMS Raleigh’s high ropes facility is an invaluable training asset.

“The ability for a team to work closely and effectively in a demanding and dynamic environment is key to the delivery of operational capability.

“The professional development of our sailors cannot be over-emphasised enough and the high ropes allow us the opportunity to develop the individuals self belief whilst maintaining a focus on the team effort.”

As for his ship, she’s coming to the end of a spot of maintenance in Devonport before taking part in NATO’s regular Arctic war games, Cold Response, in northern Norway.

Beyond that, Bulwark will be anchored off Weymouth for the bulk of the summer, acting as a floating command centre for the huge security mission surrounding Olympic and Paralympic sailing events being staged in the bay.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , January 24, 2012; Image: royalnavy