Our People in NSW
Bulldogs Man Tackles Sumatra Relief Operation - Dylan Jacobs
Former Ulladulla Bulldogs player Dylan Jacobs is now part of the earthquake relief operation in Padang, West Sumatra.
Dylan’s now in the Navy where he has specialised in communications and information systems. He’s aboard the Navy’s amphibious support ship HMAS KANIMBLA where his skills are keeping his ship in contact with emergency teams and medics working ashore.
While most of the equipment Dylan works with is classified, the ship has a number of ways of maintaining effective communications channels with shore bases as well as other ships it may be operating with.
“Essentially, we use both radio and satellite communications to keep in touch with shore authorities and other fleet units,” Dylan said.
“It’s definitely not a dull job because as a communicator we are always busy either sending communications traffic or receiving it.”
Gone are the days of Morse code and teletype machines. Communicating in 2009 is much more high-tech than that.
And that’s why communications sailors like Dylan are more information technologists and less the traditional “sparker” of years gone by.
After completing his basic and category training in Victoria, Dylan was posted into the fleet
Dylan says he gets home whenever he can to catch up with family and friends. But that is not often these days.
“I’ve done a fair bit of travelling since I joined the Navy 18 months ago,” he said.
“I’ve visited New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and now Indonesia.”
“It gives you a feeling of accomplishment knowing that you are lending a hand to a neighbouring country that is in need of aid and assistance,” he said.
HMAS Kanimbla is one of two RAN amphibious transport ships and is based at Garden Island in Sydney.