Our People in NSW
Darwin Daughter Protects Australia - Sam Snell
Firing weapons, steering multi-million dollar Navy Patrol Boats, conducting boardings on international vessels and protecting Australia’s northern approaches are all in a day’s work for Darwin local Sam Snell.
Sam, 18, completed her formal study at Casuarina Senior College in 2007 but, not wanting a normal desk job, she joined the Navy in 2008 as a Boatswain’s Mate, after working part-time as a waitress at the Jetty Restaurant on Stokes Hill Wharf.
“My brother Shane joined up the year before me, and I saw what a blast he was having,” Sam said, “I couldn’t let him have all the fun!”
After basic training in Melbourne, it wasn’t long before Sam was based back in her home town and part of Operation RESOLUTE, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the whole-of-government effort to protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The job involves patrolling to intercept illegal foreign fishing vessels and people smugglers. Sam’s crew recently achieved twenty-one investigative boardings on foreign fishing vessels in less than twenty-four hours, and then went on to conduct twenty-one more the next day!
“It was exhausting work,” Sam said, “But it’s worth it. I love being in the boarding team. We’re getting to do so many boardings – especially at the moment!”
When she’s not on patrol with the Navy, Sam can either be found riding at Gunn Point on one of her dirt bikes, catching up with her folks and older brother, or heading out to Mitchell Street for a few cooling beverages with mates.