HMS Smiter

Military experience

Lieutenant Peter Vincent was born in Scotland and grew up in Wiltshire and Somerset. He joined the Royal Navy in September 1998, and received the Lloyds Bank Prize for Endeavour and Contribution to College Life on completion of initial training at BRNC. Fleet training in HMS Gloucester culminated in Fleet Board before Vincent spent four years studying for a Masters degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Bristol. On completion of his studies he returned to BRNC to finish the academic course, being awarded the Prize for Top Warfare Officer, and then spent time in HMS Cottesmore and St Albans for further bridge training.

Passing JWO Course in 2004 he was appointed as Navigating Officer in HMS Bangor after a short period organising the Grand Finalé to the Trafalgar 200 celebrations. A challenging period in Bangor saw him complete a NATO MCM Group deployment north of the Arctic Circle and an Operational Sea Training package before attending Fighter Controller’s Course in 2007. Joining HMS Manchester in Autumn 2007 he played a key role in the ship’s major operational deployment as part of the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group in the Gulf, for which he and his colleague were presented with the Navigator’s and Director’s Association Award in June 2008. The remainder of his time in HMS Manchester was focused on the subsequent regeneration programme and another deployment, this time to the South Atlantic. He was then appointed to HMS Daring in April 2009, for a short tour that saw heavy involvement with the completion of complex trials on her sophisticated weapons and sensors as well as preparations for the first Type 45 OST package.

Attendance at Initial Command and Staff Course (Maritime) immediately preceded assuming command of HMS Smiter and Glasgow & Strathclyde University Royal Naval Unit in July 2010.

Peter lives in Bristol where he strives not to injure himself too badly mountain biking and climbing.