SHIP-TACULAR NDP 2025 DISPLAY AT MARINA BAY

No tickets to the National Day Parade (NDP) at the Padang? Not to worry, there’s plenty of exciting action happening at Marina Bay!

On top of catching naval divers jumping from 6,000ft into the waters in front of the Esplanade, spectators will be treated to a sail-past of five vessels from the Singapore Armed Forces, Home Team and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

This maritime display is part of the first-ever integrated mobile column, which will be happening across air, land and sea.

This year’s maritime display is a unique one, as it is the first time that vessels from four different maritime security agencies are participating in this “ship-tacular” show at the Bay.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James Ong Chong Yu, 39, the Deputy Chairman of the Naval Participation Committee, noted that “the maritime security agencies interoperate quite frequently in our daily operations out at sea”.

“This has allowed us to build mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities, as well as shared understanding of procedures that allow us to operate seamlessly (when rehearsing for NDP).”

While training in the open sea, the vessels have to maintain a safe distance between each craft, and make sure that everyone turns at the right time to form a straight formation for the convoy.

Such training allows the vessels to replicate the profile of Marina Bay without being limited by space constraints, explained LTC Ong. 

Leading the sailpast at the Bay is the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN’s) Combatant Craft Medium (CCM).

Give a wave to the Naval Diving Unit crew operating this rigid hull inflatable boat, which is capable of speeds up to 40 knots (about 74kmh) and can carry up to 12 troops!

Following closely behind the CCM is the sleek Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessel (MarSec USV) from the RSN.

As its name suggests, this autonomous vessel can conduct surveillance, maritime interdiction and prolonged patrol missions – all without a crew! 

Next up is the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF’s) 3-series PC Class Patrol Craft. This striking blue, white and red vessel is designed for interception, board and search, and emergency rescue operations.

Fourth in the line-up is MPA’s next-generation patrol craft, built for maritime enforcement and emergency response. 

Last but not least, the Singapore Civil Defence Force finishes the maritime display line-up with its Rapid Response Fire Vessel (RFV) – the White Swordfish.

Powered by water jet propulsion, it can reach speeds of more than 40 knots, to respond rapidly to ship fires. It houses powerful firefighting monitors, each capable of discharging up to 5,000 litres of water per minute. 

Reflecting on the many hours of training, NDP first-timer SGT3 Alfie Khairagus Bin Abdul Malek said: “My experience has been an incredibly rewarding one.”

The 45-year-old Engine Operator and Emergency Medical Technician of the SCDF’s RFV, added: “This shows the strong teamwork and inter-agency collaboration that we have in Singapore’s maritime sector – we’re all working together with a shared goal, and this has strengthened the relationship among our teams!”