For many years saluting was performed with the hand farthest from the officer saluted. This involved saluting with the left hand when passing an officer on the right hand side. To certain sections of Indian troops, however, saluting with the left hand was an insult and this method was abolished in 1918.

Youth no barrier for Ohope teen

Zara Powell

Ordinary Hydrographic System Operator, Zara Powell

04 May 2007

At just 18, Navy woman Zara Powell has already been at the helm of a 2262 tonne ship.

The former Trident High School Student from Ohope, is training to be a hydrographic surveyor on board the Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Resolution.

Zara took the ship in hand for a number of hours during a three week training and surveying voyage which returned to Devonport Naval Base last night.

“I’m the youngest person on the ship but we all get on pretty well,” Ordinary Hydrographic System Operator Powell said.

“The hardest thing is not being able to walk to a shop or leave when you want to.”

The HMNZS Resolution is the Navy’s hydrographic survey ship and the recent voyage took OHSO Powell and 49 other sailors down the North Island to Picton, and back home again.

OHSO Powell said the travel was one of the reasons she had joined the Navy.

“I grew up surf lifesaving with Whakatane Surf Lifesaving Club and I’ve loved the water ever since. The Navy was always going to be a good choice.”

OHSO Powell is posted to the HMNZS Resolution for up to one year.

The ship will dock at Devonport Naval Base for two months before embarking on another voyage.

Ends


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