SHIP-TACULAR NDP 2025 DISPLAY AT MARINA BAY

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SHIP-TACULAR NDP 2025 DISPLAY AT MARINA BAY
19 Jul 2025 | COMMUNITY

SHIP-TACULAR NDP 2025 DISPLAY AT MARINA BAY

//STORY BY NICOLE YONG /PHOTOS BY CHUA SOON LYE, CHAI SIAN LIANG & LOH YU ZE

The maritime display is part of this year’s special NDP mobile column, joining the aerial flypast over the Padang and the drive-past along St Andrew’s Road.

Stake a spot early if you want to catch these vessels making their way around 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 marks the first time that the vessels from four different maritime security agencies will be participating at the Bay, said LTC Ong in an interview with media on 19 Jul.

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).”


Personnel from the Naval Diving Unit on board the Combatant Craft Medium, in preparation for an open sea sortie rehearsal.
During the open sea sortie rehearsal, the teams plot legs (sections of the sail) that replicate the actual sailing in Marina Bay. This allows the vessels to track the timing to complete component of the sail.

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. 

The CCM is designed to carry out a wide range of operations, including maritime security and counter piracy.

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!

Equipped with advanced technologies, the MarSec USV can operate autonomously for extended periods and perform complex navigation in the congested waters of the Singapore Strait. 

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! 

Peek behind the scenes: As Marina Bay is separated from the open sea by the Marina Barrage, a hoisting operation is conducted to allow these vessels, which typically operate out at sea, to enter the Bay. 
The MarSec USV making its way into the Marina Bay via hoisting. It takes a total of three hours for all five vessels to enter the Bay! 

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. 

The SPF’s 3-series PC Class Patrol Craft (foreground) is built for speed and agility even in rough sea conditions. Following behind it are the MPA’s Patrol Craft (background, right) and the SCDF’s RFV (background, left).

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. 

The SCDF’s RFV is designed to respond swiftly to maritime emergencies in Singapore’s waters, such as fires, chemical spills and rescue operations. 
(From left) Inspector Sean Quek, Boat Coxswain of the 3-Series PC Class Patrol Craft; LTC Ong; Senior Port Inspector Muhamad Shahlihin Bin Said, Officer on Duty on the MPA’s Patrol Craft; and Sergeant 3 (SGT3) Alfie Khairagus are part of the team involved in this year’s maritime display. 

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!” 

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