Singapore, 6 May 2016 | For immediate release

MPA Conducts Ferry Evacuation Exercise To Test Emergency Preparedness

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) held a half-day ferry evacuation exercise today to test the readiness of various agencies to respond to potential ferry mishaps in the Port of Singapore. 

2     More than 150 personnel from eight agencies and companies took part in this exercise, which included deployment of resources at sea at the Small Craft Anchorage for rescue operations and at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT), the landing point for ‘rescued’ passengers.

 

3     To practise the ferry crew on the passenger management and evacuation drills at sea, the exercise scenario involved an inbound regional ferry which struck an object and had taken in water while en route to TMFT. As a precautionary measure, the ferry master evacuated the 62 passengers on board into life rafts for transfer to a second ferry via MPA Patrol Craft. There were no injuries reported.  

4     The “incident” was reported to MPA’s Marine Safety Control Centre, which in turn activated the multi-agency Ferry Mishap Contingency Plan. A Ferry Mishap Contingency Plan is a contingency plan that provides for the safe evacuation of passengers and search and rescue operations within Singapore port limit and up to 30 nautical miles from Singapore port limit. A total of nine craft were dispatched to help with the evacuation of passengers.  

5     Mr Andrew Tan, MPA's Chief Executive said, "Safety remains a top priority. Today's ferry evacuation is part of our regular emergency exercises to test our agencies’ response to any emergencies within our waters. It is also a reminder to all our stakeholders, including the ferry and terminal operators, that safety is everyone’s responsibility and we have to remain vigilant at all times. MPA will continue to work with the maritime community to raise the overall standards of safety in our port.” 

6     Observing the exercise were Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Transport, Mrs Josephine Teo and senior officers from the Ministry of Transport and MPA.  

7     In addition to MPA officers, other agencies and companies that took part in the exercise included the Singapore Police Force, Police Coast Guard, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, SINDO Ferry and Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd. 

Capt Daknash, Portmaster briefing Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Transport and guests on safety and scenario of the exercise.

Passengers being transferred from liferaft to MPA patrol boat.

Passengers from casualty vessel boarding liferaft.

 

<End of release>