Singapore holds ferry emergency exercise to enhance readiness

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) held a half-day emergency preparedness exercise on Thursday to test the readiness of various agencies to respond to ferry mishaps in the Port of Singapore.

The MPA said more than 450 personnel from 15 agencies and companies participated in the "FEREX 2016" deployment exercise, which was observed by Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan, as well as various regional and international agencies focusing on maritime safety.

The exercise scenario involved a collision between two regional passenger ferries, and a total of 15 craft were deployed to conduct search and rescue operations, evacuation of injured passengers and recovery of man overboard, added the MPA.

MPA Chief Executive Andrew Tan stressed that safety remained key priority.

"Today's ferry evacuation exercise held as part of our Safety@Sea week, aims to test the coordination and operational readiness of our ferry operators and various agencies in responding to emergencies," he said.

(APD)