The RSS Courageous was on patrol off the waters of Pedra Branca on 3 January 2003 and was travelling on the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme when she made a turn against the flow of shipping at 2325 hrs local time. A collision with ANL Indonesia subsequently took place at 2335 hrs. A large-scale search-and-rescue operation was conducted 3–15 January by the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Police Coast Guard and Police and naval units from Indonesia.