Commanding Officer - Hawea LT P.J.C. BAKER
Patrick John Carl Baker was born in Masterton in 1980 and joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in January 2004 under the Midshipman Training Scheme as a General List Executive Officer. Upon successful completion of basic training, he was posted to the Frigate HMNZS TE MANA for on the job training, whilst TE MANA was conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf region.
On TE MANA’s return, Paddy was posted for his first professional course, which he achieved Dux for and was subsequently posted back to TE MANA for a South East Asian deployment in 2005. During this time, he was also seconded to the Inshore Patrol Craft HMNZS MOA as the Executive Officer for the Minor War Vessel concentration period, SQUADEX 05, in the Marlborough Sounds.
On return to New Zealand, Paddy completed his second professional course, again achieving Dux, and was posted for exchange with the Royal Navy on the Air Defence Destroyer HMS LIVERPOOL for 1 year. During this time the ship conducted a South Atlantic Patrol of the Falkland and South Georgia Island groups whilst also conducting defence diplomacy visits to West Africa and South America. He achieved his professional qualification as a Warfare Bridge Watchkeeper during this time.
On completion of the exchange, he once again posted to TE MANA as a complement watchkeeper for deployments to South East Asia and the Southern Ocean in 2007, completing the Major Fleet Unit Navigating Officer course towards the end of 2007. TE MANA then returned to the Arabian Gulf in 2008 where Paddy held the roles of Principle Bridge Watchkeeper and Boarding Officer on TE MANA. Paddy took the position of Navigating Officer of TE MANA in November 2008.
In 2009, TE MANA conducted two three month deployments to China and South East Asia before Paddy posted off to complete Specialist Navigation Training with the Royal Australian Navy, achieving Dux of Long Navigation Course 16. On return, he posted back to TE MANA, once again in the role of Navigating Officer for a five month deployment to Australia and South East Asia in early 2011.
Paddy completed the Minor War Vessel Command Course in October 2011 in preparation for his new role as the Commanding Officer of the Inshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS HAWEA. He looks forward to operating around New Zealand and to the different challenges of operating a patrol vessel.
Paddy’s interests outside of the Navy generally revolve around the restoration of his 1967 Ford Mustang, a car that will continue to drain his bank account for years to come.