6 Months on RSS Freedom
I was posted to RSS Freedom P70. The ship had 4 officers and about 20 men. The officers were the CO, XO, NO and GO. I was the additional officer. I was not given any specific duties as all the key appointments were already assigned to well qualified officers. I was merely there to learn and get my competency in harbour and shore duties and keep watch as understudy at sea. I was thrown all the administrative duties as well as to handle the ship’s correspondence.
I was posted to RSS Freedom P70. The ship had 4 officers and about 20 men. The officers were the CO, XO, NO and GO. I was the additional officer. I was not given any specific duties as all the key appointments were already assigned to well qualified officers. I was merely there to learn and get my competency in harbour and shore duties and keep watch as understudy at sea. I was thrown all the administrative duties as well as to handle the ship’s correspondence.
Unlike a midshipman, an officer was accorded due respect by the other ranks. Rank truly have its privileged. I was truly happy that due respect and recognition as accorded to a young man fresh out of school. Of course, I too was very conscious of my responsibilities that came with it.
During free time, the CO would gather the entire officers to play his favourites games, Poker Dice. It was quite addictive but we enjoyed it very much and we played for very small stakes. As time passed, we became better acquainted with each other and enjoyed the time together. We talked all things under the sun and shared our hope and aspiration. One of their major frustration and complaint was that they made a mistake joining the navy and wanted out. I was glad it did not ‘sign on’.
Living on Pulau Brani
I also became a member of the Brani Wardroom, (a naval officer mess). We were invited by some senior officers for drink. On one occasion, I was coerced to drink so much I became drunk and puked in the toilet. I remembered that terrible feeling and the heartbeats so fast liked it was exploding anytime. I learned and was more careful when caught in the group of drinkers.
I was also given a room in the officer block on the hilltop of Pulau Brani. It was a very small room and sparsely furnished. During the evening, while off duties, I learnt to roller blade. But most of the time, we spend time playing card. Sometimes we booked our self out for ice-skating or just hang out.
Qualified as Naval Officer
After 3 months on this ship, I was given the ‘Certificate of Competency’ which qualifies me to be Officer of the Day in harbour. I would be responsible for the safety of the ship and crew when in harbour in the absence of the CO, conduct the sunrise and sunset ceremony.
From time to time, while on duties, the ship crew will report of any system failure. I had to learn fast and need to decide if there was a need to inform the CO. There were also time when some crew will try to wrangle the way to get a night off for their personal reason. But sometimes they were genuine and I need to show compassion and accommodated their request.
On the 5th month, I was awarded the Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate’. This meant I was competent to discharge my duty as ‘Officer of the Watch’ day or night, during operations such as patrol, SAR etc. It was a heavy responsibility especially keeping watch a night in the busy sea lane along the Straits of Singapore.
Close call
During a patrol around St John’s Island, I had a near miss with a large tanker. It was frightening experience seeing a big mass passing so close. I must have been complacent and misjudge but was really a good wake up call.
------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment