The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has accelerated its safety checks and measures amid the beginning of the Northeast Monsoon season in Singapore which is expected to last until March 2022 and to bring strong winds and choppy seas that can increase risks at sea.
In particular, MPA’s port inspectors and marine surveyors have been carrying out more spot checks on vessels, while checks will also focus on the safe embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, the condition of firefighting and life-saving equipment on board, as well as operators’ familiarity with emergency procedures and compliance with MPA regulations pertaining to their licences, according to a statement.
Furthermore, in view of the Covid-19 situation and the emergence of a potentially more contagious variant of the virus, strict Safe Management Measures (SMM) must be observed by both crew and passengers at all times, said MPA.
To this end, the authority’s Covid-19 audit team has also stepped-up audits of key waterfront facilities to ensure operators and users comply with the SMM.
“MPA urges the industry and port users to be alert while navigating and to play their part in preventing incidents at sea,” said the Authority’s port master captain Chong Jia Chyuan, who also urged members of the public who are out at sea to be vigilant at all times and to familiarise themselves with life-saving equipment, passenger safety instructions and prevailing weather conditions.
Additionally, the National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC), which serves as an advisory body to MPA on maritime safety matters, has been working closely with various MPA-industry safety workgroups on initiatives and solutions to enhance safety at sea.
“As one of the busiest shipping ports in the world, maritime safety is of utmost importance to the Port of Singapore,” stated the chairman of NMSSC, Ishak Ismail.
