Publication:The Trade December 2003/CANSG - Commodore Mike Deeks
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Welcome to another super edition of The Trade. I am writing this introduction whilst sitting at Sandlewood Rock somewhere along the Holland Track between Hyden and Coolgardie. Jenny and I have managed to steal a week's leave and have gone bush. I can strongly recommend it. We are having a great time and, best of all, no mobile phones!
It only goes to remind me that no one in the organisation is indispensable. I know it can be hard but we all must take our leave as it accrues. I have had first hand experience of asking people to work too hard and then watching them overload. It is hard to predict when it is going to happen but, I can guarantee, it will happen and it is not pleasant when it gets to that stage. The submarine community has always prided itself on its 'can do' attitude and that is a very worthwhile approach most of the time. What is even more impressive is recognising when to say "no". As individuals and for every one of us in a position of leadership, it is important to look after our people and ourselves. Chief of Navy has directed that Navy reduce its leave debt burden during this and subsequent financial years. We are working the problem on a FEG-wide basis, as there is so much movement of personnel between shore and sea billets within the FEG. Your divisional staff would have advised you by now how much leave you need to take before 30 Jun 04. Please ensure that you take it and you will find you and your family will benefit from the break.
This current trip of mine has exposed a corner of this vast and wonderful State that I had not previously explored. As sailors, we tend to hug the coast when we travel and I am certainly guilty of that (and understandably so as there are so many fantastic beachside spots) but I can report that there is some incredible beauty inland especially in Spring time when the wild flowers are in bloom.
This edition of the Trade will hit the streets just before Christmas so it is worth reflecting on the events of 2003. The submarines will tell their own stories in their respective reports. From the FEG perspective it has been a great year. We have faced some pretty daunting challenges and come through with some terrific successes. After some very positive VIP sea days in DECHAINEUX and SHEEAN early in the year, we were confronted with a serious flood in DECHAINEUX. The incident showed that the design of the boats, the procedures we have in place and the superb training that we practice (and practice) all came together to allow DECHAINEUX to safely reach the surface and return to port under her own power. The team onboard did a marvelous job but no more than I would expect every submariner to do if confronted with a similar circumstance.
Since that incident, the FEG with the SUBSAFE Board, DSTO and ASC have been working to lift the operating restrictions we have in place. This has lead us into areas of design and testing that we couldn't have possibly done without the excellent support of the other agencies mentioned above.
A couple of other materiel issues have also tested our organisation's ability and we have not been found wanting. We have attacked the problems in a methodical and measured way with the safety of our people of paramount importance to us all.
Other challenges we have faced include the ongoing manpower problem. We have worked hand-in-hand with DGNPT all year to address a range of strategies aimed at providing long term relief to the problem. We have identified that there needs to be a cultural change in Navy as to how people see a career in submarines. We are working on methods to implement these changes and, hopefully, you will see some fundamental changes in the way people enter and undertake a submarine career. In my 25 years of submarine service we have never been fully manned despite some valiant attempts by several of my predecessors. I am not suggesting I have got the answer but I will say we are going to try thinking outside the square in solving the issue.
We have also seen this year, the transition of the SETF to a largely commercial organisation. It is still headed up by a uniformed officer and the classroom instructors are also current submariners but Fraser Diving Australia now employs the water workers and support staff. The transition period has presented a number of challenges but as this edition of the Trade is published we should be in the throes of Exercise Black Carillon 03 which will demonstrate the level of proficiency of the new contractor. At no time during the transition have we let the standard of service available to the submariners at sea drop below acceptable and I thank all those who have worked so hard to ensure these standards have been maintained.
Recently, we saw the signing of a long-term contract with ASC to provide through life support. The negotiation of this contract has been a useful process to refine the type of support and the methodology for delivery of that support to the submarines. We are entering a new era in our relationships with our support contractors and there are good reasons for a degree of optimism. We are exploring new ways of doing business, including the concept of handing over total materiel control of the submarines for every maintenance period. Stay tuned.
In an operational context, the submarine arm has made significant progress. We are now at a level of operational intensity unparalleled in the history of the modern submarine arm. This is leading to many benefits in terms of shaping both our individual and team training as well as giving us lots of steerage towards the best equipment acquisitions. Our submarines are now operating at the higher, more challenging end of the spectrum and it is providing great benefit to Government and the FEG itself.
In closing, may I once again take this opportunity to thank you all for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm. The Submarine Arm remains the premier organisation in the RAN in which to work and that is largely because of the people in the Arm and those who support it so admirably and with such dedication. Jenny joins me in wishing you all a very safe and joyous Christmas and I look forward to working with you as we face the challenges of 2004.
Enjoy this issue of The Trade.
