Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > College News > College Sunday Guest of Honour - Commander Phil Harper

College Sunday Guest of Honour - Commander Phil Harper

12 Jan 2022
College News

The Guest of Honour at this Sunday's College Sunday is Commander Phil Harper. Phil is a current parent (Katharine U6SG / John 11PJ / Harriet 9SG) and a POP (Rosalind 2016-2021 / Evie  2013-2018 / Charles 2011-2016 ).

As a Chartered Master Mariner, a Younger Brother of Trinity House and an associate fellow of both the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Nautical Institute, Phil has a strong interest in both continuous professional development and developing strong links between the  Merchant Navy and Royal Navy. He is a freeman of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.

He has qualified as a submariner, underwater warfare officer, specialist navigator and hydrographic surveyor. As well as navigating and commanding Royal Navy ships across  the globe for the last quarter century, he has been deeply involved in the training and  mentoring of junior officers in bridgemanship, shiphandling and staffwork. 

Previous assignments include a Hong Kong patrol vessel, mine counter measures vessels, a ballistic missile submarine, navigating a Type 23 frigate and taking the first-of-class Type 45 destroyer HMS DARING out of build.  

He was the operations officer of HMS RICHMOND, the winner of the Wilkinson Sword of Peace for lifesaving efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. Shore roles have included training navigation, both as the lead navigation instructor to Flag Officer Sea Training and the officer in charge of the navigation school. Staff jobs include working for MoD as SO1 Defence Engagement, directing staff at the Advanced Command and Staff Course and Carrier Strike Group force navigator. As the executive officer of HMS SCOTT, he spent many months in command and generated her for Antarctic patrol, and he commanded HMS ENTERPRISE, again winning the Sword of Peace for saving life off the coast of Libya. Having served as Commander Navigation of the aircraft carrier QUEEN ELIZABETH, he took command of the navigation training ship HMS SEVERN in December 2019. He has also briefly commanded MERSEY and FORTH, including a patrol of South Georgia. 

Phil and his wife, Helen, live in married quarters in Portsmouth with their six children, the eldest of whom is a Fleet Air Arm observer.

 

Similar stories

The final Parade

Founders Day took place on Saturday 6 July in monsoon conditions, but in true Pangbournian spirit, an air of 'keep calm and carry on' prevailed. More...

National Schools Regatta, in May, is the biggest junior regatta in the world with over 5200 competitors from 200 differe… More...

A fantastic day was enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors alike when over 300 vehicles gathered on the College campus… More...

OP Anthony Fenwick-Wilson (53 - 57) and Leo Robinson (current pupil) are separated by 7 decades, but they both share a l… More...

OP Andrew Adams (79-84) visited the College in November to share his knowledge and expertise with the CCF Royal Navy Sec… More...

Most read

The OP Society Dinner 2024

On Saturday 20th April over 100 OPs gathered tor a weekend of celebration and catching up with friends. More...

Mike Lubbock MBE (1957-1961)

You are warmly welcomed to leave a message below, share your memories and celebrate the life of Mike Lubbock MBE (1957 - 1961) who we sadly lost in 20… More...

Major (Acting) Charles Martin

On 6th June 1944 the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare took place. Many OPs played their part, here we commemorate them and highl… More...

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech