The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be conducting a passenger vessel evacuation exercise on 22 Jan 99 (Friday) from 1330hrs to 1530hrs at the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC).

Aside from the MPA, this exercise will include the Singapore Cruise Centre, PSA Corporation Ltd (PSA), Star Cruises and Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd. The objectives of the exercise are:

a) To test the coordination, communication links and readiness of the responding parties;

b) To familiarise the parties with the procedures and concept of the evacuation plan for passenger liners at the Singapore Cruise Centre; and

c) To identify areas for improvements and update the plan.

The exercise scenario will involve a fire onboard a cruise ship berthed alongside the cruise terminal. After the passenger vessel reports the incident to the MPA and Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC), the passenger vessel will activate its shipboard evacuation plan. The "passengers and crew" will then be evacuated from the ship to the cruise terminal. At the same time, the ship's crew and fire officers from PSA will be fighting the fire onboard. A fire-fighting tugboat will assist as part of the seaward fire-fighting operation. The exercise will also see the lowering of lifeboats from the cruise liner to test the effectiveness and response of the ship's crew. A total of 400 personnel from the various organisations is expected to be mobilised for this exercise. More details of the exercise are given in the attachment to this release.

Cruise operator Star Cruises will be deploying the mega-cruise ship "Superstar Leo" for the exercise. The "Superstar Leo" can carry 2,800 passengers and 1,300 crew.

End of Statement.

MPA CONDUCTS PASSENGER VESSEL EVACUATION EXERCISE
- EXERCISE SCENARIO

On 22 Jan 1999 at 1230 hours, the passenger liner 'SuperStar Leo' (SSL) arrives at the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC). SSL had safely disembarked all 2800 passengers. While embarking the passengers at about 1330 hours, a fire erupts in the laundry room which is located on the 3rd deck of the vessel. The fire spreads quickly through the accommodation deck. There are about 300 passengers on board.

SSL immediately reports the incident to SCC (PSA Corporation Ltd) and the Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) of the MPA. The shipmaster requests for seaward assistance. SSL raises the alarm on board the vessel. All crew and passengers are mustered and its crew begins to carry out fire-fighting operations.

POCC informs the Enforcement Control Centre of MPA. The port authority's key personnel are activated. MPA proceeds to activate the SCC, PCG, PSA Corporation and alerts the salvors. The Emergency Operations Committee is set up at 21st floor, Tanjong Pagar Complex.

SCC activates its terminal plan for the evacuation of passengers from the vessel. MPA activates the first-response fire-fighting services from PSA Corporation's fire service. The salvor, Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd deploys a fire-fighting tug. In the meantime, SSL prepares two rescue boats on the seaward side.

MPA alerts PSA Marine Services to have two tugboats and a pilot on standby, in the event the vessel has to be moved from SCC.

By 1430 hours, SCC reports that all 300 passengers have been safely evacuated and that the situation is under control. All passengers and crew were accounted for. There were no reports of injury. At about 1530 hours, all operations and land units are stood down.

End of Exercise Scenario.