Typhoon Theatre among main attractions
Ng Kai Ling Straits Times 7 Oct 11;
VISITORS to Singapore's first maritime museum can experience a violent storm out at sea and going down with a sinking ship.
The Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium (Mema), set to open on Saturday next week at Resorts World Sentosa, features a Typhoon Theatre which can simulate such scenarios.
Designed to look like a ship's deck, the 150-seat theatre boasts a 360-degree screen. Vents and jets emit 'wind' and 'rain' to conjure a storm out at sea.
As the 'ship' hits a wall of water, the platform on which guests are seated descends 6m as the vessel 'sinks' to the bottom, with its 'crew' surrounded by corals and jellyfish.
In the museum, visitors can view 130 artefacts recovered from the oldest- known Chinese shipwreck in South-east Asia.
They are part of some 1,600 pieces salvaged from a site near the Indonesian island of Bakau, east of Sumatra. The items include pots, coins from Chinese dynasties and firearms.
Associate Professor John Miksic, who heads Mema's research and exploration centre, said the Bakau wreck is a very important one that not many had heard of.
'South-east Asia has not been properly explored. Singapore's maritime history goes back beyond Admiral Zheng He. It was a major stopover point on the Silk Route,' said the academic from the National University of Singapore.
Zheng He is considered one of the greatest explorers in Chinese history, sailing as far as Africa in the 15th century.
Besides the Bakau collection, Mema also has on loan pieces from two other shipwreck collections. These may be used to rotate and refresh the exhibits in future.
Another anchor piece is the Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a 9th century Arab ship found in 1998 off Indonesia's Belitung island. It is a gift from the Sultanate of Oman.
Five other life-size replica ships - a Chinese junk, an Indian dhow, a Javanese jong, an Indonesian borobudur and a South China Sea trading vessel - are berthed outside the museum and on-board tours will be provided.
At a media preview yesterday, Mr Jason Horkin, director of operations for RWS' central zone, said the primary focus of the museum is not just to showcase exhibits but also to educate the public about history.
'We are working closely with the Ministry of Education to develop programmes for schools,' he added, noting that the museum plans to launch programmes aligned with subjects such as social studies taught in primary schools and history in secondary schools.
Admission to the museum and Typhoon Theatre is $5 and $6 respectively for adults. The rates for children, aged between four and 12, are $2 and $4.
The aquarium will open next year.
Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium to open on Oct 15
Zhao Quanyin Channel NewsAsia 6 Oct 11;
SINGAPORE: Singapore will soon have its first maritime museum dedicated to the exploration of the maritime Silk Route.
The Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium will open at Resorts World Sentosa on October 15.
Visitors will be taken back in time to one of the greatest eras in history, where tales of sea adventurers and the growth of sea trade between Asia and the Middle East are told.
Among the things on display is the "Bao Chuan", a life-size replica of the bow of a treasure ship used by the greatest explorer in Chinese history, Admiral Zheng He.
There is also the Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a 9th century Arab dhow given to Singapore by the Sultanate of Oman. Visitors can also learn about its construction and historic voyage from Oman to Singapore.
The museum is also working with schools to tailor programmes which tie in with their curriculum needs.
Soo Hui Wah, head of education & audience development at the museum, said: "We want to integrate with the Ministry of Education's curriculum and we want to tailor make and customise our programmes to all levels, from pre-schools to tertiary (level). That will actually help us promote the awareness of heritage to people."
-CNA/ac
