Maiden Safety Review Held at Naval Base Kochi
Maiden Safety Review Held at Naval Base Kochi
A Maiden Safety Review, chaired by the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS), Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, AVSM, VSM, was held at Kochi on 16 and 17 April 2018. The Safety Review, which would now be held annually and termed as Annual Safety Review was inaugurated by Vice Admiral AR Karve, PVSM, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command on 16 April 2018 at Naval base.
Inauguration of ASR-18 by Vice Admiral AR Karve, PVSM, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command
ASR in progress
The review was held at the aegis of the recently constituted Indian Naval Safety team (INST) based at Kochi which has been mandated to co-ordinate with various authorities within the navy to improve the 'risk-safety matrix' in training and operations. As part of the Review, a ‘Safety Expo’ was organised inside the naval base, with participation of more than 15 renowned Indian Industries, specialising in manufacturing marine and industrial safety equipment besides brainstorming sessions between experts within the navy to improve the safety processes and methodologies in the training and operational domains of the Indian Navy. The Expo was held with the aim of increasing awareness of personnel with regard to the latest trends in Personnel Protective Equipment and various safety solutions.
Release of Safety Review compendium
In addition, guest lectures by subject matter experts from the fields of marine, industrial and aviation safety were also held on 17 April 2018. The safety review was attended by delegates from Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy), Headquarters of Western, Eastern, Southern Naval Commands, Safety Class Authorities, Operational Authorities, Naval Area Commanders, Dockyards, Logistic Support Organisations, Armament Depots as well as Training Establishments.
Safety Expo
The Navy, by virtue of the hazardous conditions and challenging environment that its ships, aircraft and submarines operate in, has multiple class authorities which ensure an assured amount of safety while maintaining the operational tempo during the multifarious tasks undertaken in the interest of national security. A need was felt for a central nodal agency such as the INST to coordinate amongst all the 'class authorities' and advise them to ensure a uniform safety protocol pan navy.
