AN AMBITIOUS Royal Navy Officer from Greenfield is setting sail for Gibraltar for two years after being selected to command his first ship.
Lieutenant Rob Garner, 27, will be in charge of HMS Scimitar, an armed, fast patrol boat, in and around the Strait of Gibraltar from July 1 after passing his command exams last year.
After already navigating two ships and serving across the world including in the Arabian Gulf, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Rob revealed he is excited about his new position.
“I cannot wait and I am relishing the challenge,” said Rob, who joined the Navy in 2004 after attending Saddleworth School and Greenhead College.
“It is my first command so it will be hard but hopefully my nine years of experience will help.
“The Navy’s job is to defend the nation’s interests worldwide and one of the most important parts of that is defending the security of merchant ships on the seas.
“I know I will be very busy but my plan is to run up the Rock of Gibraltar at least once a week. Apparently it’s a naval tradition.”
HMS Scimitar is joined by sister ship HMS Sabre, both with a crew of six and armed with two machine guns, to protect maritime trade and provide a permanent presence in and around the Strait of Gibraltar.
At its narrowest point, the strait is only eight miles wide but on average 250 ships pass through every day and the UK, as an island nation, is heavily dependent on maritime trade.
Rob added: “The most interesting thing I have done so far has been anti-piracy off Somalia. But my favourite place for its sheer beauty is South Georgia in Antarctica.
“I always wanted to be in the Navy. I love being at home but I wanted a job that involved travelling.”
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