Commanding Officer

Commander Adam James Royal Navy

Commander Adam James joined the Royal Navy, as a Naval College Entry, in 1983.  He served in HM Ships Lyndisfarne and Fife as an Officer Under Training and on completion of his initial training he served as the Diving Officer/OOW 3 in HMS Exeter and OOW 2 in HMS Glasgow. 

In 1988 he specialised in hydrographic surveying and completed his probationary survey period in HMS Beagle, during its deployment to Belize.  After completing the Hydrographic Officers’ Basic Course in 1989, he served in HMS Fawn as an H2 and later as the Navigating Officer. 

Joining HMS Hecla in 1990 he deployed to the Gulf, participating in Operation Granby and remaining in theatre in support of MCM operations.  Following the conflict he continued to serve in HMS Hecla as the Gravity Officer, undertaking geophysical surveys in the Atlantic Ocean.  Subsequently appointed to HMS Beagle as the Operations Officer, he was responsible for surveys undertaken in UK coastal waters.  During this period he briefly commanded HMSL Gleaner.

In 1994 he attended the Initial Staff Course before attending the Hydrgraphic Officers’ Long Course that led to his appointment to HMS Bulldog as Executive Officer.  In July 1997 he took command of Naval Party 1016 and was awarded his Hydrographic Charge in December 1998.  He served on the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training (Minewarfare and Patrol Vesels) as Staff Navigating Officer (Hydrographic) before commanding HMS Bulldog throughout its final deployment to the Gulf.  In August 2001, he assumed command of HMS Roebuck, an appointment which included operational deployments to the Middle East and Baltic.  Following this sea appointment he served within the Warfare Division of the Fleet Headquarters responsible for HM policy and capability management before joining the staff at Britannia Royal Naval College in July 2005 as Cunningham Squadron Senior Officer. He was promoted Commander in June 2007 and assumed Command of HMS Enterprise in March 2008.

Adam James and his wife Eliza live in Plymouth with their two young daughters.  His main interests are windsurfing, yachting and motor cars.