TRAINING OF NAVAL OFFICERS

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, in view of the findings by the Maritime and Port Authority that the collision involving RSS Courageous was due to several errors of judgement by Navy personnel, (a) whether young trainee officers will continue to be put on the watch of Navy vessels; and (b) whether officers are trained on international maritime regulations and the conditions under which these regulations can be broken for operational reasons.

The Second Minister for Defence (RAdm Teo Chee Hean) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, first, I would like to clarify that a qualified Officer-of-the-Watch is always responsible for the safe navigation of an RSN ship. When there is a trainee officer undergoing training to qualify as an Officer-of-the-Watch, the trainee officer may direct the ship's movement under the direct supervision of a qualified Officer-of-the-Watch who always remains responsible for the safety of the ship.

Members will appreciate that naval officers have to be trained not just in classroom-based lessons and theory but also in the practical application of the various skills required of a naval officer. This includes watchkeeping skills at sea. The training system includes regular written assessments to ensure currency on bridge watchkeeping as well as many practical sessions on ship handling simulators. A key part of the qualification process involves practical training at sea, during which the trainee Officer-of-the-Watch is allowed to handle the ship under close supervision. This is necessary so that our young officers are trained and qualified under realistic operating conditions and learn to make the judgements and decisions that are necessary. At all times, the trainee is under the close supervision of a qualified Officer-of-the-Watch, and it is the qualified Officer-of-the-Watch who is always fully responsible for the safety of the ship during his watch.

On the issue of maritime regulations, RSN Officers-of-the-Watch have to study the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, and they are tested on these international regulations every six months. Thorough knowledge of these International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea is an important feature of the training syllabus which qualifies RSN Officers-of-the-Watch.

RSN ships have to comply with the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, except when operational circumstances do not permit compliance. RSN officers know that if there should be an operational requirement to deviate from these collision regulations, the ship must do so with full regard for safety. Any deviation from the collision regulations must not compromise safety or jeopardise other shipping.

There may be various operational conditions requiring a deviation from the collision regulations, depending on the mission and the operating environment. An example would be when an RSN ship has to respond to violations of our territorial integrity or pre-position herself in a situation which may require such a response. Military operations often do not proceed in a regulated or predictable way, and it is important that RSN officers are fully and comprehensively trained so that they can carry out their missions effectively in whatever circumstances they may find themselves in.