Page 5 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb

ISSUE 47 PAGE 3

SHIP’S LOG NEWS

NEXT-GENERATION PATROL CRAFT AND LAUNCHES UNVEILED
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched
six next-generation patrol craft on the morning of August 9.
Gracing the occasion at Marina South Pier was Mr Chee Hong
Tat, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Aff airs.

The vessels replaced the existing fleet of patrol craft that had
been in operation since 2012. They were presented to the public
later that day, when they took part in the Maritime Sail-past
segment of the National Day Parade.

These 17-metre patrol craft have been fitted with the
latest equipment and systems for navigational safety, marine
environmental protection, and enhanced surveillance. For
example, they can carry out targeted enforcement and response
mitigation, thanks to predictive capabilities using real-time and
historical data. They possess surveillance tools such as multi-
sensor marine thermal cameras, chemical gas detectors, and
drones. They come equipped with a dispersant spray system and
containment booms to address oil spills. To support search-and- and port state control inspections, and to conduct checks

rescue operations, each craft has a rescue boat fitted with a man- on bunkering and private wharves activities. These 15-metre
overboard recovery system and towing capabilities for small craft. launches will also support enforcement patrols and response

In addition, the intelligent Port Marine System enhances efforts during emergencies.
MPA’s seaward capabilities in conducting enforcement “The next-generation patrol craft and launches enhance
patrols and responding to marine emergencies. Integrating our incident response capabilities and improve the operational

data analytics with onboard surveillance, navigation and effectiveness of our officers in conducting their work in the Port

communication systems also improve information relay from of Singapore. MPA consistently adopts new technology to meet
the craft to shore-based command centres and increases MPA our operational needs and improve our frontline capabilities. The

port inspectors’ situational awareness of ground activities. feedback we received from our officers was integral to the design

MPA has also deployed two new patrol launches for fl ag of these vessels,” said Captain Kevin Wong, MPA’s Port Master.
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR NATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY AT SEA COUNCIL
On July 1, 2020, Mr Ishak Ismail, Director follow-on implementation; and
of Business Development (Asia) at BAE • recognises exemplary eff orts and promotes good practices in
Systems Hägglunds AB and member the maritime industry.
of the External Review Panel on SAF Besides thanking council members and partners for their
(Singapore Armed Forces) Safety became unwavering support during his tenure, Prof Lim pointed to the
the new Chairman of the National annual Safety@Sea Week as one of the key outreach events

Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC). that has raised the profile of maritime safety. “The event brings
He takes over from the founding together about 300 local and international participants to
Chairman Professor Richard Lim, Chairman of ST Logistics Pte Ltd. collaborate with organisations and countries to promote maritime
Established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore safety best practices in the region and beyond,” he revealed.
(MPA) in 2015, NMSSC’s members hail from the private sector, “Safety is extremely important and needs to be the fi rm anchor
public sector, and associations. It for Maritime Singapore,” affirmed Mr Ishak. “Together with the

• serves as an advisory body to the MPA Board of Directors on council members, I look forward to working closely with our
maritime safety; partners to ensure that maritime safety standards remain high in
• promotes and builds a progressive safety-at-sea culture the Port of Singapore. This is so that those who visit, use, and work
by addressing both human and non-human elements that at our ports can return home safely to their families every day.”
contribute to maritime safety; Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of MPA, said, “On behalf of
• helps raise the level of maritime safety and standards MPA and the maritime industry, I would like to thank Richard for

through public awareness campaigns, conferences, his leadership in stewarding NMSSC. I am confident that Ishak
workshops, and safety studies; will sustain and strengthen our efforts on maritime safety. This is

• endorses initiatives and projects proposed by MPA-Industry especially crucial as we make changes to the way we work in the
Safety Working Groups and maritime industry for maritime industry moving to the ‘new normal’, post-COVID-19.”