CHIEF, SAILOR, BROTHER

What’s ME3 Malcolm Tan Chee Wai’s top priority? It’s not just solving technical problems and rectifying defects.

To keep a ship running smoothly, its sailors must be technically skilled and disciplined.

With 17 years of experience in the Navy, ME3 Tan knows all too well that it’s “not an easy job on board ship (as a marine engineer)”, especially when they are at sea far away from the comforts of land.

“That’s why a lot of time must be taken to guide, develop, and nurture new sailors…so that we can (do our jobs well and) come home safely.”

Serious at sea

As the Chief Marine Systems of frigate RSS Supreme, ME3 Tan emphasises tough love in his training style.

The 37-year-old said: “When they first join (on board ship), the junior operators can be a bit playful.

“But I always tell them, ‘Hey guys, let’s be serious and do what we need to do first. Let’s not joke while we’re working, else safety may be compromised in the process.’”

ME1 Norrshant S/O Puminathan, who has served alongside ME3 Tan for three years, agrees with his chief’s way of working.

“Safe operations require that extra inch of discipline to make sure things are done properly… It’s not about (drilling in) fear, but the respect (of others around you).”

He recounted when ME3 Tan used push-ups to discipline a sailor who kept repeating mistakes. The sailor went from “struggling to do five” to being able to “do like 50 (pushups)” by the end of the deployment.

“That guy messed up a lot!” said ME1 Norrshant with a laugh.

The value of patience

When it comes to solving engineering defects, it’s not solely about speed, urgent though the problems may be.

For ME3 Tan, the priority is to understand the root cause while ensuring the crew’s safety.

“It’s important that we not rush to do things, because on board ship there’s a lot of hazards (such as dealing with) high-energy, high-powered machinery.”

He added: “Don’t assume (the cause of the problem) and always be patient with yourself and with the people, (especially) when you task the juniors to troubleshoot or investigate (the issue).”

And when problems arise, ME3 Tan often puts down what he’s doing and goes down to the engine room to check on his crew.

His hands-on leadership style and understanding nature motivates crew members like ME1 Norrshant to aspire to do better and be like him.

“He doesn’t push us (to just solve the issue)… but to think and self-reflect on how to make sure it doesn’t occur again.”

Putting the crew first

As a paracounsellor on board ship, ME3 Tan is a listening ear to not just those in his department but to the rest of the crew as well, who come to him for advice or help in their personal lives.

“Although we have WiFi nowadays, (sometimes the crew) just need to talk things out so that they can feel better,” he noted.

His efforts to ensure the crew’s well-being have not gone un-noticed.

“Long hours at sea can take a toll on us, (but knowing) we got someone to look up to and fall back on in case times get tough, helps ease your mind,” said ME1 Norrshant.

Achieving more together

ME3 Tan and his team’s teamwork bore fruit, clinching them the Best Engineering Team award in 1st Flotilla. This is their second consecutive win.

It was a proud moment for ME3 Tan, as the award “not only spells out our professionalism at work, but also (shows that) we didn’t forget the welfare part of the people”.

It’s no coincidence that RSS Supreme also won Best Fleet Unit in this year’s Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition.

The strong bonds among ME3 Tan and his team extend beyond work.

He fondly recalled his family getting to know ME1 Norrshant’s family better when the latter invited him and a few other colleagues to his home to celebrate Deepavali in 2022.

“When my Mum asked if I wanted to invite anyone from work (for Deepavali), Chief was the first person that came to mind!” said ME1 Norrshant with a smile.