Singapore Changi Airports upgrades its fleet of sea rescue vehicles

Changi Airport Group (CAG) continues to invest in enhancing Singapore Changi Airport’s fleet of emergency rescue vehicles and equipment, both on land and sea.

The latest investments have included the addition of three new vessels to its sea rescue fleet, replacing older craft that have reached their end of life.

All three – a Command Craft, Fast Craft and Landing Craft – made their operational debut at yesterday’s annual crisis simulation exercise, ‘Exercise Bobcat’.

According to CAG, the new Command Craft brings improved capabilities for managing on-scene co-ordination of rescue efforts during emergencies at sea.

Functioning as the workhorse of the fleet, CAG reveals that the Fast Craft has the speed and agility to perform firefighting, surface water rescue, and casualty conveyance with greater efficiency.

While the newly commissioned Landing Craft (above) has replaced a hovercraft with enhanced capabilities while maintaining the same core functions – firefighting and casualty management.

With a capacity of 50 passengers, and the ability to reach speeds of up to 40 knots, this vessel is described as “versatile for sea rescue operations”.

CAG notes that the addition of the new vessels are part of its long-term strategy to enhance the operational readiness and safety of Singapore Changi.

Puar Teck Jin, CAG’s chief of the Airport Emergency Service, said: “This year’s exercise has helped to test the readiness of our men and the new craft as well as the coordination with our mutual aid partners.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the participants and government agencies as well as our airlines and airport partners and the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal team for their contributions to this exercise.”