Commanding Officer - HMNZS PUKAKI
Lieutenant Layamon Bakewell, RNZN
Lieutenant Layamon Bakewell was born in Palmerston North New Zealand. Educated at Palmerston North Boy’s High School, he joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2002 as a General List Executive Officer.
On completion of his Junior Officer Common Training LT Bakewell completed his Grade 3 watch-keeping certificate prior to attending university under the Tangaroa Scheme run by the Navy. He completed his business studies degree, majoring in management at the end of 2004.
In December 2004 LT Bakewell joined HMNZS TE MANA for five months, prior to attending the Advanced Bridge Watch-Keeping Course. Following his success on the course he was rewarded with the opportunity to serve on exchange with the Royal Navy in the Type 42 destroyer HMS NOTTINGHAM. He joined NOTTINGHAM in September 2005 and returned to Auckland in May 2007. He was awarded his Bridge Watch-Keeping certificate in June 2006.
He took command of the Inshore Patrol Craft HMNZS WAKAKURA in May 2007. WAKAKURA’s primary role was to provide support to other Government agencies, including the then Ministry of Fisheries (now part of the Ministry of Primary Industries) and the New Zealand Customs Service. WAKAKURA was decommissioned in December 2007 to make way for the new class of inshore patrol vessels commissioned as part of Project Protector.
LT Bakewell completed the ship’s command course in February 2008 and joined HMNZS TE MANA as a Bridge Watch-Keeper for her work-up and subsequent deployment to the Gulf. On TE MANA’s return from the Gulf he took up the role of Executive Officer of HMNZS RESOLUTION, prior to being appointed as the Commissioning Executive Officer of the Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS WELLINGTON; the newest addition to New Zealand’s naval fleet, also part of Project Protector. During his time as Executive Officer, WELLINGTON deployed to the Ross Sea; the first time an RNZN vessel had done so in over 40 years.
LT Bakewell took command of the Inshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS ROTOITI on 23 June 2011, relinquishing command on 1 August 2012 and assuming command of HMNZS PUKAKI on the same date.
In his spare time LT Bakewell is studying towards a Masters of Business Studies through Massey University. He is a keen sportsman playing both Cricket and Golf. His other interests include rugby, mountain biking and skiing. LT Bakewell lives on Auckland’s North Shore with his wife Rachelle, and daughter Victoria.