Indian Navy's HQST team and South African Navy conduct joint sea training of SAS Mendi

In a collaborative effort to strengthen maritime expertise and cooperation, an eight-member team from Headquarters Sea Training (HQST), Indian Navy (IN), recently undertook an Operational Sea Training and Safety Audit of SAS Mendi, in collaboration with the South African Navy (SAN) Operational Sea Training Team (OST) in Simons Town. This initiative, which took place from October 2 to 13, showcases the commitment of both nations to enhance their naval capabilities and foster a deeper partnership.

The Indian Navy delegation, led by Cmde Amit Gurbuxani, Chief Staff Officer to Flag Officer Sea Training, included specialist officers and sailors, all focused on improving their proficiency in sea operations and safety procedures. The training was meticulously divided into two distinct phases.

Enhancing naval expertise through comprehensive training

The first phase, conducted in the harbour, featured lectures and interactive sessions covering a wide range of topics. This included pilotage, bridgework, emergency response on the bridge, and Force Protection Measures. The training also encompassed fire-fighting and damage control drills, emphasising operational risk management, electrical and engineering best practices, and seamanship training. A particular highlight was the dedicated training provided to the bridge team using a ship handling simulator.

After thorough harbour training, the sea phase commenced with the ship setting sail on two separate occasions. During these sea sorties, the Indian Navy's HQST team and the South African Navy's OST team were present onboard to facilitate practical training for the ship's crew. The exercises at sea focused on precise navigation, force protection drills, boat drills, emergency and breakdown drills, and the effective execution of damage control and fire-fighting procedures.

Professional collaboration and culmination

Throughout the training, there was a significant emphasis on professional interaction between the Indian Navy and South African Navy OST teams. Both teams actively shared experiences and exchanged best practices, further strengthening their collective knowledge and capabilities. The Operational Sea Training concluded with a comprehensive combined debriefing session, during which the ship's crew received valuable observations, recommendations, and guidance for implementing best practices in their future operations.

The joint training effort culminated with a small ceremony onboard SAS Mendi on October 13, marking the successful conclusion of this collaborative endeavour. This milestone training activity, led by the HQST team from the Indian Navy, has opened new avenues for collaborative training between the Indian Navy and the South African Navy. It signifies a significant step in strengthening the professional relationship between the two navies, highlighting their dedication to enhancing maritime expertise and readiness for future challenges.