- MPA Urges Heightened Maritime Safety Amid Monsoon Conditions.
- Public and Maritime Operators Advised Caution as Northeast Monsoon Persists.
- Rough Seas Expected as Northeast Monsoon Continues Until 2026.
The Northeast monsoon is expected to persist until March 2026, potentially bringing intense weather conditions, including stronger winds, choppy seas, and moderate to heavy rainfall. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is urging everyone, including the public, port users, and maritime stakeholders, to stay alert, be cautious out on the water, and make sure that vessels and personal safety measures are all set and ready to go, reports MPA.
Safety Tips for Passengers
If you’re hopping on a ferry or any other vessel, it’s important to stick to some basic safety rules. This means keeping three-point contact when getting on and off, staying seated during the ride, securing your belongings, and getting to know where the life jackets and emergency exits are. In the event of an emergency, remain calm and follow the crew’s instructions.
Duties of Ferry Operators
Captains of passenger boats and regional ferries need to stay sharp, keep a proper lookout, operate at safe speeds, and follow the embarkation and disembarkation procedures to the letter. Safety briefings should be delivered clearly before setting off.
Guidelines for Recreational Water Activities
For those enjoying sea activities like canoeing, kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing, wearing life jackets is a must at all times. It’s also wise to check the weather and tidal conditions, inspect your gear, and steer clear of the water when the weather turns bad. Operators have the right to refuse service if conditions aren’t safe, and they need to ensure that briefings are thorough and equipment is well-maintained.
Advice for Port Users and Vessels
The MPA has reminded shipowners, operators, and crew to properly secure their vessels and cargo, keep firefighting and life-saving equipment up to SOLAS and Singapore Port Regulations standards, follow COLREGS, and practice safe mooring and anchorage.
Increased Safety Inspections
During the monsoon season, MPA inspectors will ramp up safety checks on ferries, harbour craft, and pleasure boats, focusing on the condition of the vessels, safety equipment, procedures, and emergency readiness.
Safety Resources
The public may refer to the Code of Practice for Inland and Open Water Sporting Activities (SS 701) and the Workplace Safety and Health Council’s guidelines on life jackets for further safety guidance.
Collective Effort on Safety
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.”
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.”
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Source: MPA
