FOST HM

FOST HM trains specialist Officers and Ratings of the Royal Navy's Warfare Branch to provide a thorough understanding of the complex physical environment in which the ships, aircraft, submarines and people of the Royal and Royal Marines operate.

The establishment delivers internationally renowned training for RN personnel as well as students sponsored by foreign governments and have recently hosted students from as far a field as Australia, Denmark, The Netherlands and New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, The Seychelles and The United States.

Courses inevitably contain a good measure of theory and science but endeavor to provide the practical skills and experience that prepares personnel for duties in sea-going and shore based jobs observing, recording, analysing and forecasting conditions from the seabed to the outer limits of the atmosphere. The advent of multi-beam echo sounders, digital side-scan sonar, underwater unmanned vehicles, "on-screen" met analysis and satellite remote sensing are a few examples of the technological developments that continue to revolutionise the HM business.

Students use the latest equipment and techniques throughout each course to ensure that they are fully prepared to work in all manner of roles in platforms that vary from the smallest to the largest in the Fleet. Courses are nationally and internationally certified with accreditation provided by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), The University of Plymouth, the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Council and the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technicians (IMarEST).

FOST HM is the initial trade training establishment for the Hydrographic, Meteorological and Oceanographic Specialisation of the Royal Navy. It is the Group's job to supply the professionally trained individuals in Hydrographic Surveying, Meteorological Observing, Meteorological Forecasting, Oceanographic Data Gathering, Physical Oceanography and Acoustic Range Prediction.