Its thirteen years since that memorable Navy sailing trip. Still have lots of fond memories about it. Decided to do a flashback on my facebook account and my blog too. It all begins with a Singapore Navy Landing Ship Tank called RSS Excellence, L202. I was posted to this excellent old WWII hospital ship back in July 1996 after completing my training at the Naval training school. Only 3 of us out of a class of approximately 30 trainees were posted to Landing Ship Tank. Many batchboys laughed at us because the Landing Ship Tank is the biggest ship in the Navy and as gunners, we need to maintain the ship. So many percieved we got the biggest area to maintain with daily chipping & painting from one end of the ship to the other, whole year long. They all thought we're going to have difficult life for the rest of our NS stint. My batchboys Ravi and Tok were posted to L203 (RSS Intrepid) and I was all alone posted to L202 (RSS Excellence).
On the first day that I reported to RSS Excellence, the majority of the shipcrews were on off day as the ship has just returned from a sailing trip. I met the Ops Officer LT Rayson Lim and he introduce to the Quartermaster on duty LRP. LRP explained that for new birds to the ship, its a standard protocol to do duty straightaway for three consecutive days with no duty-off. Ops, I had an advanced driving theory test on next evening. So I did my first understudy QM with LRP for my first day. The next morning, Ops Officer Rayson introduce me to my new boss, Buffer Yong. As a new lad & from previous OJT experience, I've prepared myself mentally to expect a tough first few weeks. I spoken to Buffer Yong about the driving theory test and to my surprise, my new boss allow me to go home on duty off to prepare for the exam without second question ask. It was a good start. I think LRP wasn't too impressed with the decision.
That was how I begin life in RSS Excellence. Now will move to the memorable MSTD trip in Sep 1997.
1st Sept 1997
Today was a busyday for me as I really panicked with the things to bring for the trip. Early morning, have breakfast with Mum and Weifang, went to buy films, sour plums,etc till 12pm noon. Began to panic as I was packing my stuffs. So many things to bring and some unnecessary ones like videotapes, magazines and extra clothings. Mum seem to be quite sad that I was leaving home for 2 months and she specially cook one of my favourite dish and even offer to give me money to take cab. Auntie also ask me to buy some Polo T from Indonesia for her. Really quite vexed by the stuffs to bring and in the end, ended with 2 super big bags and struggled to the MRT to meet Chan and KCP to take cab to the ship. Change my currency at Northpoint and also lend $200 to KCP. Hope he will not become another "somebody" . I think he will return me. Mum and Auntie actually wanted to send me off at the harbour but from what I heard from Leo, I told them they couldn't as I didn't submit their names. There are many people sending off the midshipmen and my ship slip off at 7.30pm. San Hoe also came today, nice to see him again. Kept 8-12 watch today with Low Kin Yuen. Call Dad to tell him everything is fine here. But forget to tell him to ask sister to tape the TCS prize presentation ceremony and also forget to bring my electrical notes. Ok, now its 1.20am, time to rest.
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