Lets's cut to the chase, I rate the second episode a 7.2 out of 10. It is getting better. The cast seem a little more relaxed in their roles.
Is it me, or is it the red wine, but the CO of the boat sounds not completely unlike
Robert Sitch of
D-Generation and
Frontline fame? Tell me I'm wrong. Go on, listen very carefully and tell me I'm wrong.
Same genes, same voice coach, same agent? Maybe Rob Sitch was employed to dub for the CO? Who knows ? It's spooky how much they sound alike and look alike.
Now to the hats. Gee they're big. I mean really big. About 12%% too big. Maybe the new DMO contracted provider of RAN hats decided to up the scale to satisfy the customer, but to me the hats, and especially the hat badges, are a touch too big. Hats, hat badges and sailors caps - all too big. The NCO's hats are just fine.
OK, enough of the nit-picking, lets go for the plot, characters and technical direction.
What was the "NAV" doing going into a male mess with out anouncing
herself? She did knock but she should have said the obligatory "female on deck"
before entering. Also if divers are in the water they should at least have
snorkles, if they're not going to go diving without SCUBA gear than a snorkle is
the best practice. Still don't like the sideways ponytail/plait! and
someone should help the "NAV" with her attitude!!!
Belinda writes:The "CO" and "XO" shouldn't have stepped in uniform, it's just not cool. Oh
yeah, and where is the rest of the crew, it was my understanding that there was
more than 10 people on a patrol boat, more like 25. Also since when has it been
the practice for the "CO" to leave his boat and escort people ashore? Not in my
navy.
Dave writes:Once again I still don't know who you are or your qualifications. Could you
please add them somewhere? Secondly, instead of sending a blow by blow review of
your review I'll just point out a couple of things.
1. All members of the RAN who conduct Boarding Ops are fully trained in the
equipment, and telescopic batons are standard. There are specific reasons as to
why we don't use 'longs', and I'm sure that you could find them out if you
ask.
2. 'Female on deck' is not an RAN thing, its' a JAG thing. While some
females in the RAN do say this, it is not required.
3. There really are
scheming nasty people in the RAN, just as there are in civilian companies, I
really don't think it needs to be said over and over again.
Peter writes:Since when does the the QM just jump off the helm to go and get "suited up"
without giving a hand-over to someone else to take over from him on the helm?
Things have changed since I was on boats.
Last week the COXN and Cheffo
both went ashore for a medical emergency. Not in my day they wouldn't. One has to
stay on board as they are the only two onboard with small boat medical
training.
Simon writes:Just to follow on the nit-picking:
1. Day rig worn at night - normal practice is for Officers and Sailors to
shift into Night Rig from 1800 or Sunset, whichever is first.
2. Handcuffs are not used on boardings, RAN BP use zipties. RAN BP do not
secure personnel to their boat. RAN BP also put a life jacket on any person that
they restrain.
3. Communications with NAVCOM - they are using a GMDSS (Global Maritime
Distress Safety System) handset which is only for VHF communications.
4. I Band Radar does not automatically clasify contacts, it also does not
'beep' and it does not hold contacts as an ' X ' on the screen.
5. As already stated, RAN BP are trained in the use of all equipment
carried, including the ASP Batton which the sailor on the boarding party was
holding.
6. Continuity error: VHF Radio is line of sight - the radios that the BP
were using in both episodes 1 and 2 do not have the ranges for voice
communications, noting that the horizon on a MFU (Major Fleet Unit) is between
12 and 16 Nautical Miles, it would be considerably less from a Fishing Boat and
Patrol Boat.
7. First Episode: ET with his feet on his rack - not in my mess do people
do that.
8. Not saluting the gangway when departing. And the XO not calling
'Gangway' when the CO departs.
9. How does a Patrol Boat get from the
Gulf of Carpentaria all the way back to HMAS WATERHEN (Sydney) ?
Luke writes:I would just like to point out that the ASP tactical baton is in fact a vital
piece of equipment used in todays RAN boarding operations. All personnel in the
Boatswain's Mate catagory are qualified in their use as well as many other
personnel from other catagories who may be boarding party trained. Apart from
this I have really enjoyed reading both reviews and I hope you guys keep them
coming... it is pretty amusing to watch a seaman boatswain's mate on tv (similar
to myself) and be told that he has only been in the navy for 4 weeks (WHAT
THE!!)
Steve writes:
Hi guys, someone is going to let you know you have used a photo of an
Attack class PB, not a Fremantle. I don't want to be the first. Attack class have been gone since 19canteen. You didn't hear it from me. (Editor: The boat from the TV series Patrol Boat, HMAS Ambush, was photo-shopped into the background to add some sense of irony and deja vu to the review. If we get enough requests, we can also put up the intro theme music from Patrol Boat on this site as an MP3 file.)
Chook writes:
What's with the awning up on the Quaterdeck at sea? 30 Knots would rip it
to shreds. Only for banyans, boys and girls! Beats JAG anyday.
++++ Episode 3 Review ++++
