U.S. – Australia Relations

Royal Australian Navy Navigator to Pilot USS Kitty Hawk on Visit to Sydney

Canberra — 2 June 2005

CPA 177/05

Lieutenant Commander Paul Bates RAN will fly by helicopter onto the United States Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk prior to her entering Sydney Harbour to enable him to pilot the ship into Fleet Base East, Sydney on Sunday 3 July 2005.

Lieutenant Commander Bates, has spent considerable time preparing for his pilotage of USS Kitty Hawk, including time at the Australian Shiphandling Centre, Port Ash, (near Newcastle), and many hours in the RAN Bridge Simulator, which can replicate the conditions he can expect to confront, at HMAS Watson.

Lieutenant Commander Bates, has ten years experience as a Navigating Officer in the RAN. His current position as the Port Services Manager — Sydney has given him the opportunity to manage the largest and most complex Australian Naval port and has provided him the opportunity to pilot a variety of Royal Australian Navy and foreign warships. This will culminate in the visit of USS Kitty Hawk on 3 July 2005.

Background Information

Lieutenant Commander Bates, RAN was born in Ulverstone, Tasmania, where he remained until joining the Navy in 1989. He graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in December 1991 and commenced training as a Seaman Officer. He completed this in May 1994.

Between 1994 and 2003 Lieutenant Commander Bates RAN spent time in a number of ships and shore appointments, including navigating HMAS Cessnock and HMAS Canberra. Lieutenant Commander Bates RAN went on to complete the Advanced Navigation Course and Principal Warfare Officer Course. He served as Navigating Officer for HMAS Manoora and the Navigating and Operations Officer for HMAS Success.

In October 2003 Lieutenant Commander Bates RAN took up his present position as the Port Services Manager — Sydney.

Original document from www.defence.gov.au.

Last update Wednesday, 23 July 2008