Changi Airport Group invests in new sea rescue craft to enhance passenger safety

SINGAPORE, 17 October 2024 – Safety is a top priority for Changi Airport Group (CAG). To ensure the readiness of CAG’s Airport Emergency Service (AES) and its partners, CAG organised its annual crisis simulation exercise, ‘Exercise Bobcat’, today. The annual exercise validated CAG’s emergency preparedness response and training that AES officers have undergone. Nearly 20 agencies and more than 200 role players took part in the exercise.

Learnings from the exercise will also enable participants to refine their response strategies and update standard operating procedures.

As part of its long-term strategy to enhance operational readiness and safety, CAG continues to invest in both its AES personnel and emergency preparedness equipment. Three new types of craft have been added to AES’ sea rescue fleet, replacing older craft that have reached their end of life. They will make their operational debut at ‘Exercise Bobcat’ this year – Command Craft, Fast Craft and Landing Craft.

The new Command Craft (above) brings improved capabilities for managing on-scene coordination of rescue efforts during emergencies at sea.

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

The newly commissioned Landing Craft (above) replaced the previous 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 versatile for sea rescue operations.

Mr Puar Teck Jin, CAG’s Chief of the Airport Emergency Service, shared, “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 including MOT, Mindef, MOH, MHA, CAAS, SCDF, SPF, Police Coast Guard, MPA as well as our airlines and airport partners and the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal team for their contributions to this exercise.”