Jacob Morel, 26, is the only Fijian on board the visiting Australian Navy vessel HMAS Leeuwin.

The HMAS Leeuwin is one of two Leeuwin class hydrographic survey ships based in Cairns, Australia, where Mr Morel is among the ship’s 65 crew members. The vessel reached our shores on Monday night.

Royal Australian Navy Abel Seaman Jacob Morel said he was so happy to be home and meet up with his family.

“I am kai loma (part iTaukei) of Naqara in Namosi,” he said.

Abel Seaman Morel is the second- eldest of three siblings.

“I was the first from my family to be in the Navy and now my younger sister follows in my footsteps making her the second member from my family to be in the Navy,” he said.

“This is one of the greatest opportunities for me to sail on board the HMAS Leeuwin and to be the only Fijian,” he said.

“There is another Tongan friend of mine on board the ship, which is not bad for me; and we have been away from home for a month now,” he said.

“We’re the loudest in the ship and we eat the most too,” he said.

“The only problem that I have sometimes is the distance and time away from home and being away from my daughter,” he said.

‘This is like a timeline for me to finish my competency log where I have to do certain tasks,” he said.

“This job is just like any other job where we just have to push through whenever we find an obstacle and just keep on going,” he said.

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