Toh said Endeavour and her sister ships are equipped with the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). “ECDIS is used for backup. Our primary means of navigation is still using paper charts.”
The bridge controls include the helm, rudder and bow thrusters, which are duplicated on both bridge wings. “We’re a very long ship, so we really have a need for bow thrusters,” said Toh.
Endeavour has a Kelvin Hughes radar for collision avoidance and navigational safety. The huge windows on the bridge are a distinctive feature and enhance visibility, especially for landings or boat operations.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) underway with the Republic of Singapore Navy tank landing ship RSS Endeavour (210) in the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kasey Krall
The bridge is not crowded. Normal underway watch standers include OOD, bridge supervisor, navigator and navigator’s helper, and two lookouts.
Endeavour is powered by two high speed diesel main engines with two controllable-pitch propellers, and four diesel generators. She’s not fast, but she can cruise for 5,000 nautical miles (nm) at 15 knots.
The main weapon is the Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun, which is controlled by an electro-optical/infrared director to engage both air and surface targets. There is a Simbad launcher for Mistral anti-aircraft missiles, which are pointed at the target by an operator at the launcher. “We can be configured with the Typhoon gun or Simbad launcher at the same location,” Toh said.
If the Typhoon was aboard it would be guided by a Toplite electro-optical surveillance, observation and targeting System, Toh said.
Thanks to automation, Endeavour has a relatively small crew of just 65 people.
The helicopter control room looks out over the flight deck. Singapore uses the Super Puma in the medium lift role and the Chinook in the heavy lift category. The hangar can accommodate two Super Pumas. “We have two spots – spot 1 and spot2 – so we can land two medium-lift helos or one heavy-lift helo,” Toh said.
Aircraft recovery on deck is aided with the Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST) system which can land, secure and pull a Super Puma into the hangar.
Capt. Kody Toh, the Endeavour’s executive officer. Edward Lundquist photo
Two 25-ton cranes on the flight deck by the entrance to the hangar can bring cargo onto the ship. It can be moved into the hangar and taken below to the well deck using two large elevators.
“Our wardroom is for ceremonial and official functions, such as meeting with foreign officers and VIPs. We try not to have meetings or eat our meals here,” Toh said. “Officers eat below in the officers dining hall next to the mess decks.”
Hua said the food is good. “Our chef is one of the best in the navy.”
The ship has a large lion, which is kept on board for use during special events.
Hua said the crew is proud of their lion. “The crew performs the lion dance in many of the ports that we visit. Not every ship has a lion.”