HMS Smiter

Military experience

Hugo Floyer was born in London and educated at Chiswick Comprehensive School and at the University of Sussex, graduating in 2003 with a BSc (Hons) in Physics. He joined the Royal Navy and entered Britannia Royal Naval College in 2005. Following fleet training in HM Ships Liverpool, Gloucester, Endurance, and Clyde, during which time he was variously deployed on Atlantic Patrol Task (South), NATO Operation Active Endeavour, and to West Africa, he received his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate and was selected for the Preliminary Navigating Officer course at the Maritime Warfare School, HMS Collingwood.

Lieutenant Floyer’s first complement appointment was to Crew 7 of the 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron as Navigating Officer. Following operational sea training in HMS Middleton, the appointment encompassed deployment to the Arabian Gulf in HMS Chiddingfold during Operation Telic MCM in 2008-09. After completing a second period of sea training in HMS Hurworth in UK waters, he was appointed senior Officer of the Watch in HMS Chatham, joining her on deployment in the Indian Ocean while she served as Flagship for the Second Standing NATO Maritime Group during NATO Operation Ocean Shield. On return to the UK in mid 2010 he completed the Fleet Navigating Officer Course.

In January 2011, under the auspices of the UK/US Personnel Exchange Programme, Lt Floyer joined USS Winston S. Churchill as Navigating Officer. This very rewarding appointment included a major refit period, unit and carrier strike group workup, and deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group to the US 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, where he achieved designation as a US Navy Surface Warfare Officer and was awarded the US Navy Commendation Medal.

On return to the UK he was selected for P2000 command and commenced CODC in January 2013. He took command of HMS Smiter and became OIC of Oxford University Royal Naval Unit in March 2013.