Serving between two navies

The Australian and New Zealand navies share a bond more than 100 years old.

For SBLT Esther Blain, that bond is lived every day. A Royal New Zealand Navy engineering officer, she is currently serving on board HMAS Stuart while deployed on a regional presence deployment as part of an exchange program.

Growing up in Christchurch, New Zealand, and studying at the University of Canterbury, SBLT Blain found her way into marine engineering by helping keep ships operating at sea for months at a time, far from home.

“It’s been really amazing being on an Australian ship,” she said.

“I have had an incredibly warm welcome. Everybody has been kind to me, and I have already learnt many different things since being on board.

“While I miss home, I’ve come to realise Australia and New Zealand, while different, share much of the same qualities in life, which certainly cross into our navies.

“Our navies share a unique relationship where we share the same system, but it is uniquely different.”

The bond between the Kiwi and Aussie navies was strengthened during a recent replenishment at sea (RAS).

As Stuart took on fuel and stores to continue her deployment, the ship supplying alongside just metres across the water was HMNZS Aotearoa, a ship SBLT Blain once worked on.

“Seeing Aotearoa during the RAS, my heart nearly burst. I saw many of my old friends and seeing the RAS unfold is clearly special,” she said.

“Being a part of both nations and achieving a greater maritime goal together really is something special.”

A RAS is one of the most challenging evolutions a ship’s company can perform.

For SBLT Blain, serving as the bridge between two ships and two countries was a career highlight.