Life aboard HMS Biter: An 18-year-old sailor's account of his first deployment

Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Kai Hitchcock, at just 18 years old, is proving his mettle as the youngest sailor aboard HMS Biter during Exercise Tamber Shield in Norway.

HMS Biter is one of four of the UK's smallest warships, alongside HMS Blazer, HMS Trumpeter and HMS Exploit.

Exercise Tamber Shield marks ETME Hitchcock's first deployment with the Royal Navy, and he's already handling significant responsibilities with aplomb.

• Royal Navy's smallest ships having a big impact on Exercise Tamber Shield in Norway
• Royal Navy's Wildcats fend off fast attack craft on Exercise Tamber Shield
• HMS Blazer ready for next mission in Norway after training with her sister ships

ETME Hitchcock's daily routine involves meticulous checks in the engine room to ensure the smooth operation of the vessel.

From inspecting for leaks to identifying any signs of malfunction, his attention to detail is paramount.

"We're going down to the engine room to do some of our early rounds to make sure everything's working fine, looking for anything unusual," he said.

With a crew of eight currently on board, he shared his insights into life at sea, including the challenges of cooking aboard a P2000 vessel.

"We do a weekly shop for the week, and we cook as we go," he explains.

Despite the confined space and the constant motion of the sea, cooking aboard the HMS Biter is a skill mastered by all.

Able Rate Bailey Jackson sheds light on the pressure of cooking in such conditions.

"Definitely wedge yourself in," he joked, highlighting the cramped quarters they work in.

When it comes to culinary prowess, AB Jackson said everyone had their own approach.

"Not necessarily bad," he said, referring to the varying cooking abilities among the crew.

For some, like the younger sailors who have never cooked before, cooking for a larger crew can be a daunting task.

The present HMS Biter is the fifth ship to bear the name. The vessel's history dates all the way back to 1797 when the first Bitter was built as a gun boat with 12 guns.

Today's HMS Biter is one of the 14 Archer-class patrol vessels that form the Coastal Forces Squadron, providing inshore patrol across UK waters.

Throughout Exercise Tamber Shield, HMS Biter has been seamlessly coordinating operations with the Wildcat helicopters of 815 Naval Air Squadron and the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class corvettes, manoeuvring deftly along the Norwegian coastline.