VISITORS LEARN MORE ABOUT NAVAL DIVERS

The only thing Mr Michael Koh knew about the naval divers from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) was that they were usually activated for search and locate missions whenever there was a drowning incident.

It was thus an eye-opener for the HDB Staff Union president when he saw the divers' gamut of skills in general diving, mine disposal, close-quarter combat, helo-operations and boarding of vessels.

Mr Koh, together with over 70 other union leaders and eight Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) members, visited the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) on 7 Nov to get a better understanding of its capabilities and the unique role it plays in safeguarding Singapore's waters and sea lines of communication.

Based at Sembawang Camp, NDU s facilities include a 10-metre-deep diving pool with an underwater viewing gallery to allow instructors to observe divers during training, a multi-purpose Confidence Tower, a 25-metre indoor shooting range and a well-equipped Hyperbaric Medical Facility that supports the specialised needs of the divers.

The visitors toured the compound, observed various diving techniques from the underwater viewing gallery and went for a ride on the 11-metre Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat.

"The thing that impressed me the most is the safety of the training here," Mr Koh told cyberpioneer at the end of the visit.

"It gives me confidence that all measures are taken by the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) in ensuring that the trainees are safe in their hands."

He said such visits were beneficial to union leaders like himself as they could better relay to their members what individual SAF units were doing for the defence of Singapore.

NDU is responsible for all diving operations of the RSN, which include general diving, explosive ordnance disposal and mine disposal for the SAF. It comprises the Dive School, the Clearance Diving Group, the Underwater Demolition Group, and the Special Warfare Group.

ACCORD members and union leaders watching the divers execute rapid rope jumps.

On her impression of the naval divers, Ms Mabel Low, general secretary of the IRAS Staff Union, said: "I think they are doing a very good job and taking the defence of Singapore very seriously. It is a very important role that they play in defending the country, so the whole nation should support our guys."

As a show of support, Ms Low said that IRAS celebrated SAF Day every year, giving servicemen due recognition and saying the Pledge together as an organisation.

The NDU visit was hosted by Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee.

MINDEF organises such visits regularly to update the ACCORD members and the community on the SAF and its operations.

Diver trainees being 'attacked' during a simulated underwater assault.

Diver trainees build up water confidence and drown-proofing skills by learning how to swim, bob and do flips with their hands and feet bound.