Safety award for HMS Westminster’s guardian angel

Ryan ‘Nobby’ Halls has been recognised by the Royal Navy for his work keeping shipmates aboard HMS Westminster safe.

The 31-year-old petty officer from Thetford has been singled out for his safety-conscious efforts aboard the Portsmouth-based frigate - efforts which helped the warship through an extensive refit and back to front-line service.

He is Westminster’s ‘chief bosun’s mate’ – the sailor in charge of seamanship, the safe operation of the ship’s fast sea boats and rope work when berthing or leaving port.

Since joining the ship, he’s effectively re-written the safety manual covering huge-swathes of day-to-day living and working aboard Westminster – going far beyond his remit.

Staff at Royal Navy headquarters on Whale Island in Portsmouth were drawn to PO Halls’ safety campaign. On Thursday (26 October) they presented him with a Sea Guardian award – presented to sailors or Royal Marines who have gone out of their way to promote safety and prevent accidents.

They say PO Halls’ work aboard Westminster “set him apart from his peers” and that he possesses “commitment and evident ability”, all of which has ensured that on his ship “a consistent positive and safe environment” prevails.

The former Charles Burrell High School pupil has spent a decade in the Royal Navy, particularly enjoying a lengthy deployment to the Far East in 2008 with HMS Kent and a stint on counter-piracy patrol off Somalia with HMS Lancaster, during which time the ship seized modern-day pirates and their weaponry.

Of his Sea Guardian recognition, PO Halls said: “I am very pleased to receive this award on behalf of my team in the seamanship department onboard HMS Westminster.”

PO Halls is married to Tiffany and has two daughters.