HMS Lancaster: Meet The Army Engineers Who Have 'Jumped Ship' To The Navy

As the Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster enters the final part of her refit in Devonport, her company is beginning to return to its normal complement.

After 25 years of Army experience between them, Petty Officer Ben Fawcett and Petty Officer Ryan Bamley have literally jumped ship to a career in the Senior Service.

Rather unusually, the two Petty Officers have ended up on the same vessel and are helping to fill the Navy's engineering manpower shortage.

PO Fawcett is the satellite maintainer on-board whilst PO Bamley is a sonar maintainer.

They have also had their fair share of banter since leaving behind their days in green.

PO Fawcett said they are being well looked after while working on HMS Lancaster.

"The Navy never needing to retain engineers so much as now, we are really being looked after. It is a good place to be, I think," he said.

PO Bamley added:

"It is like having a new job, so career change, fresh start, I am really enjoying the challenges I am facing."

Learning new terminology typical of the Navy was also something the pair had to get used to.

Coming from the Army, many terms have different meanings.

HMS Lancaster is currently in refit in Devonport and she is expected to return to the fleet later in the year, taking PO Fawcett and PO Bamley on their first proper trip to sea.