Captain Brendan O’Hara

Captain Brendan O’Hara joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1999 and during his training he served in HMA Ships Hobart, Gawler and Brisbane. Upon gaining his qualification as a Bridge Watchkeeping Officer in 2001 he served in HMAS Darwin. Captain O’Hara specialised in Navigation in 2005 and undertook Principal Warfare Officers Course in 2008.

His sea service includes Navigation Officer of HMA Ships Diamantina, Toowoomba and Success. During this period his operational deployments included OPERATION ANODE, The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and OPERATION CATALYST, Maritime Security Operations in the North Arabian Gulf. Following his period at sea he was posted to Fleet Headquarters as the Fleet Navigation Officer and was responsible for ensuring the proper and safe navigation standards of the fleet. In 2012, he assumed command of the mine hunter HMAS Yarra and during his tenure the ship deployed in support of OPERATION RESOLUTE. In 2019 he assumed command of the RAN’s Oiler HMAS Sirius prior to joining Sea Training Group. In 2023 he assumed command of HMAS Canberra.

His shore positions include Staff Officer Mine Warfare, Hydrographic and Patrol Boats in Navy Capability Requirements and Analysis, Staff Officer in Global Operations at Headquarter Joint Operations Command and as the Master Attendant in 2017. In 2018 he was posted to Maritime Operations as the Deputy Director Current Operations and Chief of Staff. Captain O’Hara joined Sea Training Group in January 2021 as the Commander Sea Training and was promoted into the Captain Sea Training position in May 2021.

Captain O’Hara is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College and holds a Masters Degree in Defence Studies and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.