Singapore River's diesel bumboats go green

Channel NewsAsia 16 Jun 08;

SINGAPORE: An icon at the historically-important Singapore River has undergone a transformation.

The bumboats there have gone green! The last of the 10 diesel-powered bumboats were replaced with electric-powered vessels last weekend.

This is to ensure that the water quality will remain good, as the Marina Basin will be turned into a freshwater reservoir when the Marina Barrage is completed.

Bumboats have been plying the Singapore River for decades.

At first, they were used to ferry goods to warehouses and then over the past 20 years, they have been carrying people.

The smell and noise of the diesel engines have been part of the experience for the people taking the bumboats.

Ryden Fang, Singapore River Cruises & Leisure's director, said: "What people usually comment is: it's very noisy, the diesel's smelly. But now, I really miss the smell a lot... because we try to maintain as much flavour of the old boat as possible, we actually designed and built the new bumboats according to the old bumboats but in a bigger version."

At the succession ceremony, Ah Gu - a boatman for 30 years - handed over the kerosene navigation light from the old diesel bumboats to the new electric bumboats.

Then it was time for the diesel boats to make their final journey along the Singapore River. On board were 80 senior citizens from Chinatown Kreta Ayer Senior Activity Club.

The Singapore River Cruises & Leisure is willing to donate the old boats to corporations and institutions which are interested in showcasing the bumboats for heritage preservation and educational purposes. - CNA/ir