PLYMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM, 3-7 December 2018 - Working visit to Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) in Devonport Naval Base Plymouth, United Kingdom by Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) led by Commander Khairil Haji Abdul Rahman, RBN, Commandant Naval Training with two other officers and a British Loan Service Warrant Officer took place between 3 – 7 December 2018.
FOST is a Royal Navy (RN) training organisation responsible for ensuring that RN or other navies are fit to conduct operational duties and ensuring vessels are being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and readiness inspections. The visit aims to look upon the vast scale of FOST organisation from various aspects in acheiving such standards which pertain to RBN Fleet Standards.
RBN delegation meet up for a discussion with Captain Matt Harvey, RN, Captain Sea Training of FOST South. During the discussion, he explained the important of sea training from Tier 0 (individual training) to Tier 1 (whole ship’s company) prior to collective training with other ships (Tier 2). Under his command, about 300 staffs who manages the training schedule and also coordinating with other agencies such as ports & harbor and air lanes via Air Traffic Controllers.
The delegation had the opportunity to witness onboard two different classes of ships which are HMS DUNCAN (Type 45 Destroyer) and HMS ENTERPRISE (Echo Class Survey Vessel) alongside with a large number of the FOST team. Prior to the inspection being carried out the teams are gathered for a final coordination briefing to the lead inspector. Safety aspect is always being considered. As the serial commences, concurrently the ship’s company were invigilated by the FOST team which are attached respectively and followed by a series of debriefs towards the end of the serial.
The RBN delegation had the opportunity to visit HMS RALEIGH, one of Maritime Warfare School complex mainly focusing on Fire Fighting & Damage Control (FFDC) Training. Two separate simulators which are run by Babcock (for FF) and Damage Repair Unit (DRU) by RN. Warrant Officer Basset, RN, In-Charge of the complex explained that not only these facilities used by navy personnel, other government agencies and students also uses as their team building and confident building. During the visit RBN delegation were demonstrated with FFDC by member of staffs.
