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Simon Bradbury
To be ‘friend and adviser to all on board’ is how the Queens Regulations view the role of the Chaplain in a Naval warship. What a privilege it is to occupy this unique position on board HMS Endurance.
Father Simon Bradbury, on the bridge with one of our two Ghanaian Officers onboard.
The day begins by watching the sun rise, depending, of course, on what time that event happens. When Endurance is down in the ice of Antarctica, there may not be either a sunrise or a sunset – the sun just skims the surface of the horizon and it hardly goes dark at all.
Breakfast is followed by morning prayers, often said on deck. When we’re in Antarctica, the best and warmest place is huddled next to the funnel. I take my role as Chaplain to the ship seriously and take time to pray for all members of the ship’s company and particularly those who I know are going through difficult times. If it’s a Sunday, the morning Church Service takes place in the library or, in warm weather on the bridge roof – the biggest church in the world! This is followed later in the day by a Eucharist.
The morning gives an opportunity to catch up with e-mails, study and preparations for presentations, classes or sermons. For a Chaplain, life in a shore base, particularly when involved with training, is a busy time. Being at sea gives me chance to catch up on some academic work and I seize this opportunity gratefully.
Following stand-easy – the morning coffee break – I take time to visit the various departments of the ship and catch up with people as they go about their daily tasks. Lunch is taken with the Junior Rates. It’s good to spend a meal time with them – gives me chance to get to know people better.
Sometimes the afternoons provide the opportunity to give some in service training to the ship’s company on issues such as equal opportunities or pastoral welfare. Chaplains bring a different dimension to such training as, rather than holding a particular rank they ‘assume the rank of whoever they’re talking to’. People often feel more able to talk honestly in front of a Chaplain and, by the same token, they know that they can talk in private about confidential matters and that what’s said will go no further.
Fire drill on HMS Endurance
When we’re working in the ice, I may go ashore with the various teams which are sent to carry out different duties. Other activities that I get involved with on the various ships in which I serve include working with the chefs in the galley, helping out on the upper deck and being on call during training exercises such as fire drills. Training to cope with disaster is common fare on British warships and I’ll always be on hand to play my part.
The end of the working day may see a spell in the gym or at circuits followed by evening prayer, again said on deck if the weather allows. Sometimes, others will join in for a service of Vespers as the sun sets on the horizon and the stars begin to appear one by one. One evening a week, we have a fellowship meeting at which we plan the following Sunday service and study some scripture.
HMS Endurance in Antarctica
It is indeed an honour to be Chaplain to such a unique ship, working with such a professional group of people, operating for much of the time in such a unique part of the world.
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