Kochi, July 4, 2025 — The Indian Navy concluded its eighth edition of the Annual Safety Review at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, held from 2nd to 3rd July 2025. This apex-level safety review, aimed at evaluating and enhancing the Indian Navy’s safety framework, brought together key officers from Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Command HQs, and Safety Class Authorities, in a hybrid format involving both physical and virtual participation.
The keynote address was delivered by Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. The further proceedings of the review were presided over by Vice Admiral K. Swaminathan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS), who also serves as the Chairman of the Indian Navy’s Safety Committee.
Driving a Stronger Safety Culture Across the Navy
The review served as a critical platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and brainstorming among senior leadership and safety professionals of the Indian Navy. The agenda included assessments of operational safety, technological integration for risk mitigation, and new initiatives to strengthen the Navy’s overall safety culture.
One of the key outcomes of this year’s review was the launch of the Safety Trend Analysis Tool (STAT) — an advanced application co-developed by the Indian Naval Safety Team (INST), Kochi, and the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N). This digital tool aims to collect, monitor, and analyze safety data trends across the Navy to enable data-driven decision-making and proactive risk management.
Navy-Wide Safety Initiatives Reviewed
Representatives from all three Naval Commands, the Tri-Service Andaman and Nicobar Command, and various Safety Class Authorities presented briefs on current safety practices, recent incidents, challenges encountered, and innovative solutions implemented over the past year. The two-day review covered a range of safety dimensions, from operational readiness and shipboard safety to aviation and submarine operations.
A compendium of pan-Navy safety and risk management initiatives was also unveiled, capturing successful practices, lessons learned, and case studies across different operational environments. The document aims to serve as a reference guide for future safety planning and awareness programs.
Institutionalising Safety Through Regular Review
The Annual Safety Review is a foundational component of the Indian Navy’s commitment to operational excellence, ensuring that safety is not only practiced reactively but embedded within the strategic and operational planning processes. The review fosters cross-command learning, facilitates standardization of best practices, and provides an institutional framework to address safety challenges.
By examining safety metrics, investigating incident trends, and streamlining response protocols, the review seeks to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to avoidable incidents, and ensures that every sailor operates in an environment prioritising safety and efficiency.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 edition of the Annual Safety Review underlines the Navy’s ongoing evolution in embracing technological innovation and systematic processes for enhancing operational safety. With the launch of STAT and the release of a comprehensive safety compendium, the Indian Navy reaffirms its commitment to a culture of continuous improvement, aligning its safety goals with the broader objectives of national security and readiness.
As the Navy sails into the future, its vision remains clear: “Safe Seas, Secure Nation.”
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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