NAVY ASSETS TO BEEF UP MARITIME SECURITY

From March, armed personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will be on board certain merchant vessels as the ships enter, and before they leave, Singapore waters.

Called the 'Accompanying Sea Security Teams' (ASSeT), these groups of men from 180 Squadron - the RSN's shipping control squadron - are trained to look out for anything amiss aboard the vessels.

This is one of four new initiatives introduced by the RSN's Coastal Command (COSCOM), which is responsible for safeguarding the maritime security of Singapore.

The other three initiatives are:
- Transfer of 189 Squadron, which comprises six anti-submarine patrol vessels, from the RSN Fleet to COSCOM. This will allow COSCOM greater flexibility and efficiency in its security operations.

- Implementing a multi-crew concept for 189 and 182 Squadrons. For each operational anti-submarine patrol vessel and patrol vessel, there will be two sets of crew, thus creating more capacity to meet increased operational demands.

- Regulars will now fill certain appointments, previously held by Operationally-Ready National Servicemen, in 180 Squadron. This move was implemented in response to increased demands on this naval shipping control squadron.
These changes were announced by Commander COSCOM, Colonel (COL) Chng Teow Hiang.

He said COSCOM remains operationally ready by conducting intensive training for its personnel.

COL Chng added that COSCOM will also continue to work closely with its counterparts, like the Police Coast Guard, Maritime and Port Authority, and Immigration and Checkpoint Authority, to formulate detailed operational plans to meet any contingency that may arise.

Prior to the recent changes, COSCOM was organised as a formation headquarters with three squadrons:

181 Squadron - gathered information from COSCOM's patrol vessels, the Police Coast Guard and the Maritime and Port Authority's Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS), to maintain round-the-clock maritime surveillance of the Singapore Straits.

182 Squadron - its six patrol vessels were deployed in the Singapore Straits.

194 Squadron - comprised four Mine Countermeasures Vessels and two Self-propelled Acoustic and Magnetic Mine Sweepers, which conducted mine countermeasure operations.