WORKING BETTER MEANS WORKING SAFER

On board HMNZS CANTERBURY, ASCS Perham installed helmet wheelie bins for the top and bottom of the gangway, making them readily available during craning series. He independently raised a purchase order to replace standard sockets in an impact gun to specific impact sockets – a safer option. And he devised a simplified way to manage petrol storage in the Port Mooring Station Petrol Stowage Rack, following numerous miscommunication events and mistakes in stowage.

His citation says this is an impressive level of initiative for someone in such a junior rank. “He went well above and beyond what was expected of him in his role, and was proactive instead of reactive. James saw problems and found solutions to eliminate or reduce safety risks,” said the citation. “James is an exemplar of the behaviour all units would like to see in their personnel.”

He was formally presented with the award last month.

ASCS Perham volunteers for the Seaman Combat Specialist role in the Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (SHEMS) committee. He supports the SHEMS committee to a high standard, and leads from the front regarding safety.

He said he is not the hi-vis and clipboard kind of person, ready to fill out a safety report. He’s all about making things work.

“I’m about making life better and more efficient, and as a result it improves safety.”

ASCS Perham, from Nelson, joined the Navy in September 2019. “I’ve always wanted to get to sea in some way. I volunteered with the Coast Guard, and I’ve worked in Fiordland on luxury cruises. I saw the Navy as something where I could do all the normal aspects of going to sea, but also do lots of cool stuff you can’t do on civilian ships.”

He’s now posted to HMNZS MATATAUA, helping bring a new Littoral Warfare Craft into service.

“I really love my job. I’ve always said, I’m not staying in a job if I don’t love it. I’m still doing all the things I wanted to do when I joined.”