Straits Times 3 Feb 12;
Each new boat is equipped with 400 litres of oil dispersant, which can be diluted to deal with different types of oil spills, and two 3m-long booms, which are flexible plastic barriers to limit the spread of the spills.
A NEW fleet of six boats, costing $19 million, will now patrol the waters in Singapore's ports and help tackle oil spills and other emergencies.
Commissioned by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and built in Taiwan, they replace another six-craft fleet in use in the past five years.
Mr Lam Yi Young, MPA's chief executive, said at an unveiling ceremony yesterday at Marina South Pier that the upgrade would help the authority 'to meet not just the demands of today but also the demands of tomorrow'.
One of the world's busiest ports, Singapore gets some 130,000 port calls each year and about 1,000 vessels are in the port at any given time.
Last year, the vessel arrival tonnage hit a record 2.12 billion gross tonnes.
MPA's port inspectors patrol the waters around the clock to enforce marine safety and environmental-protection regulations. MPA also coordinates and manages responses to marine incidents in the port.
Each new boat is equipped with 400 litres of oil dispersant, which can be diluted to deal with different types of oil spills, and two 3m-long booms, which are flexible plastic barriers to limit the spread of the spills.
The boats will be deployed as first response units to limit the damage caused by such spills.
Their streamlined hull design also makes the boats more stable and easier to manoeuvre in the water.
Features such as sea charts, radar information, vessel identification markers and echo systems are combined into a single, user-friendly display.
Besides the use of low-emission engines and environmentally friendly paint, the boats also have more comfortable cabins and ergonomic chairs for the crew.
Each boat can carry up to three crew members and 12 passengers.
Mr Lam said the new fleet will help 'to ensure safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment in our port waters'.
The MPA will deploy them for five years, after which it will re-evaluate its needs.
FENG ZENGKUN
MPA invests S$19m to boost marine security
Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 2 Feb 12;
SINGAPORE: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has invested S$19 million to boost marine security.
It goes towards a five-year contract for the use of six new patrol boats.
The boats are being chartered from Tian San Shipping for the duration of the contract.
The boats will help enforce maritime regulations, enhance environment protection and respond to incidents like oil spills.
MPA deputy port master Jolyn Tay said: "The new fleet is equipped with anti-pollution and fire-fighting equipment which is not included in the old fleet of patrol craft.
"This will enable us to have a faster initial response, because previously, we would have to cordon off the area and have another craft to initiate the first response."
MPA chief executive Lam Yi Young said: "The port of Singapore has grown into a global hub port with vessel arrival tonnage hitting a new record of 2.12 billion gross tonnes last year.
"With some 1,000 vessels in our port at any one time, ensuring the safety and security of our port waters is of utmost importance."
The boats are eco-friendly with low-emission engines.
- CNA/wk