MPA holds multi-agency drills on ferry safety

Nine vessels, a helicopter and about 200 staff were fielded.

Various agencies and private sector partners joined an exercise that will test response in case of ferry mishaps, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said.

In a statement, the MPA said they underwent their yearly ferry rescue exercise (FEREX) as they also organise the annual International Safety at Sea conference from 30 August to 2 September 2022.

A helicopter, nine vessels, and more than 200 staff from various agencies and private sector partners were sent for the seaward exercise off the western coast of Sentosa and landward exercise at HarbourFront Passenger Ferry Terminal.

Agencies and partners include Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Ministry of Health, Singapore Police Force, the Republic of Singapore Air Force, the Republic of Singapore Navy, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd, and ferry operator Batam Fast Ferry Pte Ltd.

The exercise included a scenario on collision between a ferry and harbour craft, seaward rescue operations, using drone technology, and landward rescue operations, amongst others.

Captain Daknash Ganasen, senior director of operations and marine services of the MPA, underscored resumption of preparedness for ferry mishaps, adding that it allowed them to test their new technologies and rescue operations.