COMMANDING OFFICER HMNZS TAUPO
Lieutenant Damian Gibbs, RNZN
Damian Gibbs, of Whangarei, joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2004 as a General List Executive Officer. Before joining the Navy, he attended Tauraroa Area School, Whangarei, completing his final year at Kamo High School, Whangarei.
On completion of Junior Officer Training and his Basic Bridge Watchkeeping Course, he posted to HMNZS Kiwi to support the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserves. He then posted to HMNZS Resolution and was involved in surveying operations around the New Zealand coast. He completed his Advanced Bridge Watchkeeping course in late 2005 and was posted to HMNZS Te Kaha to obtain an Advanced Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate which he achieved in early 2006. This was gained in good time showing his natural ability for the job.
He remained posted to Te Kaha for the next 18 months, completing two South East Asian deployments. In early 2007 he attended the Introduction to Joint Warfare Course in Malaysia, with representatives from New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. On his return he posted to HMNZS Manawanui as the Navigating officer for a short period prior to attending the Ship Command Course and the Major Fleet Unit Navigator’s Course.
In mid 2009 HMNZS Hawea was commissioned into the fleet, and he enjoyed the challenges and rewards that he faced as the second in command when introducing a new ship into the RNZN. On completion of his posting to Hawea he was selected to represent the RNZN Rugby Team at the Commonwealth Cup in England, the highlight of this trip was being selected as the Player of the Tournament. He posted to HMNZS Canterbury as the Navigating Officer in early 2010 and remained there until late 2011. During this time he was involved in a number of exercises in the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. He is now looking forward to the challenges and rewards during his first command HMNZS Taupo, and the first opportunity to return to the ships and his own home port.
Lieutenant Gibbs can be found in his spare time around the coast of New Zealand scuba diving and fishing, with friends and family.
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