The Northeast monsoon, which is likely to persist until March 2026, may at times bring stronger winds, choppier sea conditions, and moderate to heavy rain. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) advises members of the public, port users, and maritime industry stakeholders to stay alert, exercise caution at sea, and ensure that appropriate personal safety measures are in place and vessels are properly prepared for sea during this period.

2.         Passengers travelling on ferries and other vessels should observe basic safety practices. These include maintaining three-point contact when embarking and disembarking, remaining seated during the passage, securing personal belongings, and familiarising themselves with the locations of life jackets and emergency exits. In an emergency, passengers should remain calm and follow the instructions of the crew. 

3.         Masters of passenger craft and regional ferries should remain vigilant and ensure that crew maintain a proper lookout and observe safe speeds. Embarkation and disembarkation procedures should be strictly adhered to, and safety briefings should be communicated to passengers before departure.

4.         Individuals participating in sea-based recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing should wear life jackets at all times. Before heading out to sea, users should check weather forecasts and tidal conditions, conduct pre-activity equipment checks, follow safety guidelines, and be familiar with emergency procedures. The public should avoid water activities during inclement weather. Operators have the right to refuse service if conditions are unsafe or if users pose a safety risk to themselves or others. Operators should also ensure that their craft and equipment are well maintained, and that participants are properly briefed and don life jackets before activities commence.

 

5.         MPA reminds all port users, including shipowners, operators, masters, and crew, to secure vessels and cargoes properly, maintain firefighting and life-saving appliances in full working order in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations and applicable Singapore Port Regulations, and ensure all personnel are familiar with the safety and emergency procedures. Vessels must maintain safe speeds, observe the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), and ensure proper mooring arrangements when alongside. At anchorage, crew should remain alert, monitor weather conditions, keep engines ready for manoeuvring, and wear appropriate life jackets when boarding and disembarking from vessels.

6.         To strengthen safety readiness during the monsoon season, MPA inspectors will step up safety checks on ferries, harbour craft, and pleasure craft. These inspections will cover vessel condition, embarkation and disembarkation procedures, the state of firefighting and life-saving equipment, and operators’ overall preparedness for emergencies.

7.         Safety resources are available to support safe water activities. Individuals may refer to the Code of Practice for Inland and Open Water Sporting Activities (SS 701), launched by Sport Singapore (https://go.gov.sg/ss701), for safety guidelines covering recreational, competitive, and educational activities in Singapore’s inland and open waters. For workplace safety, the Workplace Safety and Health Council's WSH Guidelines on Personal Flotation Devices – Life Jackets (https://go.gov.sg/wshguidelines-lifejackets) provide guidance on selecting life jackets for various work environments in accordance with international standards, as well as good practices on life jacket use, maintenance, and proper storage. 

8.         Captain Chong Jia Chyuan, Port Master of MPA, said, “As the monsoon season sets in, port users and the public are reminded to remain vigilant, plan their activities carefully, and take all necessary precautions to protect lives and property. MPA will continue to work hand-in-hand with the maritime community to uphold strong safety practices in our port waters.”

9.         Safety at sea is a collective effort. The National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC) [1], which advises MPA on maritime safety matters, continues to work with various MPA-Industry Safety Work Groups to enhance safety practices. In July 2025, three safety forums were organised as part of the International Safety@Sea Week to promote safety awareness and best practices among the pleasure craft community, harbour craft and regional ferry operators, and to strengthen a safety-first culture at sea.

10.       Mr Ishak Ismail, Chairman of NMSSC, said, “The Northeast Monsoon brings challenging conditions that demand extra vigilance from our entire maritime community. Safety at sea is a shared commitment, requiring a strong partnership between the government, industry, and the community. NMSSC is pleased that members of the pleasure boating community under the Safer Seas Volunteer Programme [2] had participated in and provided feedback during this year's seaward exercise conducted by MPA in support of Whole-of-Government search and rescue operations. This will help strengthen community resilience in maritime safety. During the Council's recent industry visit, we were also pleased to observe the strong, collaborative safety protocols between ferry operators like Batam Fast and Singapore Cruise Centre as the terminal operator. Their commitment to managing everything from routine checks to incident response demonstrates that safety is a joint operation where every detail matters.”