Navy Trains Officers, Insist On Efficient Swimming Skills

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The Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Goddy Anyankpele has called for the need to the raise the bar of training officers of the Nigerian Navy receive to promote efficiency.

Speaking during the First Annual Intra Command Swimming Competetion 2014 at the Navy Command Onne, Rivers State, Rear Admiral Anyankpele, told journalists that constantly improving the competence of naval officers is necessary to meet the demands of curbing various maritime crimes in the country.

He wondered how naval men can claim to be on top of their game without being very good swimmers.

He further noted that the Chief of the Naval Staff has insisted that all officers, especially the ratings, must have a proof of swimming proficiency before getting their promotions.

He said the move at instituting mandatory swimming for its service members was borne out of the need to reduce potential accidents and personnel casualties during operations.

He said, “The first annual intra-command swimming competition training was informed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin’s observation that a good number of our personnel do not know how to swim.

“This observation means that a sailor without being a swimmer or who at best keeps afloat during emergency at sea is equivalent to someone attempting to commit suicide. The CNS recognizing this risk has directed that henceforth, all personnel must know how to swim; and should obtain a certificate of proficiency.”

The flag officer commanding stated that the training would boost sailors’ confidence, fearlessness, courage, and survival instincts at sea to better confront emerging security threats at the nation’s territorial waters.

He said the navy would sustain the training programme until all service members and trainees were adequately trained.