Page 16 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb

ISSUE 47 PAGE 14

SPECIAL FEATURE

These floating accommodations, which can be up

and running in a relatively short time, are typically used OTHER MEASURES TAKEN INCLUDE THE

by offshore operators to support oilfield and off shore

operations out at sea, shares Mr Goh Chung Hun, PROVISION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND
Director of Shipping and Marine at MPA’s Shipping
Division. “Singapore has one of the largest off shore REMITTANCE SERVICES, MINI-MART, AND
sectors in the world, and the idea of deploying them for
COVID-19 operations came quite intuitively,” he reasons. BARBER SERVICES TO GIVE THEM A SENSE OF
“They are mobile, not permanent, and could be brought
in from outside of Singapore; hence, they off er additional NORMALCY WHILE STAYING WITH US IN THE
capacity to what we already have in Singapore.”
MPA began its search for suitable vessels by FLOATING ACCOMMODATIONS.
reaching out to various ship owners and brokers for Mr Goh Chung Hun
options. This was when the team encountered its Director of Shipping and Marine
fi rst challenge. “Many of the readily available vessels Shipping Division
MPA

in the market are offshore accommodation barges,
which are fi tted with communal washrooms instead accommodations. Free Wi-Fi is also provided onboard
of en-suite ones,” Mr Goh describes. “As one of the all the vessels to provide entertainment as well as
requirements for this project is to have rooms with communication links to families and loved ones.”
en-suite washrooms, the number of available vessels A medical centre was established at Tanjong
in the market is narrowed down drastically.” Pagar Terminal, where the fl oating accommodations
Nonetheless, after evaluating the suitability of (there are currently six of them) are berthed. This
vessels in terms of technical specifi cations, capacity, provided the migrant workers with easy access to
lead time required, and cost of charter, the team medical services. Outside of offi ce hours, tele-medical

finally decided on floating accommodations that were services are available, Mr Goh adds.
located in Johor, Malaysia, and Batam, Indonesia, to Ms Chong Lee Fee, Assistant Director (International
reduce the lead time required for relocation. MPA’s Programmes) at MPA Academy, who worked with
preparations for the accommodations included stakeholders, partners, and other government
installing Wi-Fi infrastructure, CCTV systems, and smart agencies to coordinate security checks, as well as
thermal scanners, as well as thoroughly cleaning fresh medical, food, and transport needs, was glad to play
water tanks for the storage of potable water. a part in this endeavour. “This was something new for
For the welfare of residents, MPA implemented extra us,” Ms Chong recalls, adding that the project was one
touches. “Every day, residents will be allowed to spend that required close collaboration. “The team is working
an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon hard to get over challenges. We have to be fl exible and

on the open deck to exercise or to breathe the fresh air learn, adjust and fine-tune along the way. I am glad to
while enjoying the sea view or city view of the Singapore be able to play my little part in this important initiative

skyline,” Mr Goh shares. “Other measures taken include in the fight against COVID-19, and ensure the welfare
the provision of foreign exchange and remittance of migrant workers who are away from home. We
services, mini-mart, and barber services to give them a don’t know how long this will last, but we will continue
sense of normalcy while staying with us in the fl oating to do our very best to overcome this together.”