Safe in My Wake

13 Oct 20

"Our job is to ensure our waters are clear from mine threats, so that shipping can transit freely along the Singapore Strait day and night." – ME2 Kishorkumar, Mine Disposal System Supervisor, RSS Bedok

Our mine countermeasures vessels are deployed whenever a potential threat is detected underwater. Once near the suspicious patch of water, mine disposal system operators lowers the K-STER expendable mine disposal system into the water.

Preparing the K-STER for launch.

Preparing the K-STER for launch.

"It is always a challenge when conducting underwater operations because the underwater current is unpredictable, and underwater visibility is poor. To ensure the team is competent, we go through rigorous training in various conditions to ensure that we are able to localise the target, and neutralise it", shared LTA Kaiser Lloyd Chan, Operations Officer, RSS Bedok.

"The training comprises table-top exercises, harbour drills and training at sea, so that the team is able to work together to direct the K-STER to the mine threat before neutralising it. Our team always believes that we should train hard, so that when a real situation arises, we will be ready for it"

Earlier this week, RSS Bedok's readiness was tested during an exercise and they successfully neutralised an underwater mine. Continue to keep us safe in your wake.

Piloting the K-STER in the CIC.

Piloting the K-STER in the CIC.

Mineshape identified.

Mineshape identified.

Mineshape neutralised.

Mineshape neutralised.