FIRST PATROL VESSEL RSS INDEPENDENCE RETIRES

She had been hard at work since 1998, surveying the straits surrounding Singapore to keep the sea lines safe.

And on 8 Mar, Patrol Vessel (PV) RSS Independence was given a heroine's send-off when she retired after almost two decades of service.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) decommissioned the first of its 12 Fearless-class ships with a solemn sunset ceremony at Tuas Naval Base.

The ceremony marked the start of the handover from the PVs to the new Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs), which will be taking over the responsibility of patrolling Singapore's territorial waters.

The name RSS Independence will be handed over to LMV Independence at its commissioning ceremony on 5 May.

During the sunset ceremony, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han paid tribute to RSS Independence, which had participated in bilateral and multilateral exercises such as the Singapore-Indian Maritime Bilateral Exercise and Exercise Malapura with Malaysia. Back home, she also took part in Exercise Highcrest 2013, during which the National Maritime Security System attained Full Operational Capability.

RADM Lai said: "In her years of service, RSS Independence was an integral part of the RSN's frontline force which protected Singapore's territorial waters and safeguarded our sea lines of communication, staying true to her motto 'We Will Defend'."

He also thanked the generations of servicemen and women who had served on board the ship: "The success of RSS Independence would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication, professionalism, tenacity and sacrifice of the generations of officers and crews who have served on board.

"The RSN salutes RSS Independence for her two decades of faithful service. The qualities and values she represented, as well as the steadfast contributions she has made, shall continue to inspire the men and women of the RSN for generations to come."

As the bugle sounded the Retreat, RSS Independence's jack, harbour ensign and sea ensign were lowered for the last time.

Also lowered was the decommissioning pennant, which took pride of place at the ship's masthead. The 62m pennant was the length of the PV (55m) with a foot added for each year of service, reflecting the ship's long service in the RSN.

RSS Independence Commanding Officer (CO) Major (MAJ) Chew Kwok Tiong presented the jack, ensigns, dressing lines and decommissioning pennant to RADM Lai, symbolising the ship's retirement as a warship.

The decommissioning of RSS Independence was an emotional event for all present, many of whom had spent part of their Navy lives serving on the ship. This was especially so for MAJ Chew, who had completed two tours on the ship before he was appointed her CO in 2015.

"Most of us grew up on the platform from junior officers. Being a commander is a privilege and a pinnacle appointment for all naval officers, (and it's) double the joy for me because I got to command a ship that I had previously served on," said the 41-year-old. He will be moving on to take on the role of a Section Head in Headquarters Fleet.

He added: "It's emotional but at the same time we are moving on to a new platform that will take on a bigger role, so it's an exciting chapter for the rest of the Navy."

Military Expert 2 (ME2) Jegatheswaran agreed. He had worked his way up to his Maritime System Supervisor position in the six years he spent serving on board RSS Independence.

"It's sad but we have to give way to newer technology (that is) sharper and will aid our main mission of maritime security. All good things have to come to an end, but this is a happy new start." Following the decommissioning, the 30-year-old will reprise his role on board LMV Unity.

ME4 Tan Ho Eng, 49, who was the ship's pioneer coxswain from 1998 to 2000, looked at the decommissioning in a positive light: "The name 'Independence' will be used for the first LMV and the entire class of the (new) ship. It will be moving on to something greater and more meaningful."