A trip to the Singapore Flyer

At around 6pm the seniors had gathered at the canteen of St. Mary’s of the Angels at Bukit Batok. Those who had not been to the Flyer including myself were anxious and looking forward to the trip. As we assembled Theresa and her assistants were busy sorting out and dividing the group into two parties for bus ‘A’ and bus ‘B’. It included distributing of sticker-type labels to indicate grouping and table number for dinner. Janet and I from Teban Gardens belong to Group No.4 with Joan as our leader and assigned to bus ‘B’. Upon boarding Priscilla apoligised for some hiccups encountered earlier and briefed our group to stick together and help each other. Swee Fong a local introduce herself as our guide for this trip and commented that we are fortunate to experience this memorable trip as it would coincide with the ‘Closing Ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games 2010’ held at the Marina Bay.

The floating platform is the first largest in the world and used to hold our annual National Day Parades. The open-air viewing gallery has a seating capacity of 27,000 but to-day the young Olympians from all over the world are gathered for this great event. And Singapore is proud and honoured to be it’s host for this First Youth Olympic Games. Our guide has much praise for Singapore which has come a long way to immerge into spotlight; after all we are only one tiny ‘red dot’ on the map of the world. We must first of all thank God for good governance provided by our able leaders.

In 1970’s or 80’s I remember receiving some foreigners who had never heard of Singapore and must have thought that we lived on tree-tops and swinging down every morning to forage for food. But they were in for a big surprise after landing at world renowned Changi Airport and driven into the city. They had noticed the tree-lined “ECP” expressway, potted flower plants, beautiful landscape with golf courses, sailing clubs, chalets, eateries, multi-storied condos and Public Housing; it was “Wow! wow! wow!” all the way.

We headed for Mount Faber for a Chinese dinner at a place design of a sailing ship and named “Marina Deck”. The dishes comprise honey-chicken, deep-fried fish, black-peppered crabs, yam-ring and vegetables.

Seniors having dinner at Marina Deck, Mt.Faber

After we had our fill, we headed for the Singapore Flyer along the expressway but caught in a traffic jammed; because of the Youth Olympic. Swee Fong told us that the bus will have to stop short of the Flyer and we had to walk a short distance; including one wheel-chair bound.

Presently our Singapore Flyer is the World’s Largest Giant Observation Wheel towering 165 metres (equivalent to 42-storey building) above the Marina Bay. Meantime we had to pass through ‘security-checks’ where our bag-packs went through electronic screening. After 911/ New York Twin-Tower terrorists attack, you can expect such scrutiny at all main functions or events where involved large crowd. Then there was ‘toilet break’ and the queue to board the capsule had consumed precious

 

Queue to board the capsule

time. It was during this moment I guess about 9.30pm that the ‘fireworks’ burst into the sky overhead. At our position we could only get glimpses of multi-coloured spray of balls, twinkles or stardust that light-up the night. Finally our batch got into the large capsule that can hold 28 people. It had a bench in the centre and we are seated back-to-back facing either side of the glass capsule. However, when we got to the top we were rewarded by a view spectacular, fantastic, breathtaking; overlooking the Marina Bay with the skyline surrounded by skyscrapers. And right below us we saw the floating-platform, all lighted up with the celebration going on and a full crowd watching from the gallery.

The latest landmark is the 3-towers Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, topped-up by a Sky Park stands majestically guarding the bay and is the world’s second most expensive casino built at the cost around S$8 billion.

I enjoyed a memorable panoramic or a birds-eye view of the surrounding for that complete so called 30-minute flight. I would like to return for a daylight viewing where I can see the Rhio Islands of Indonesia that would be interesting.

Inside the capsule (for 28 persons)

Another view

Author

A special capsule for dining.

Makan, makan Tour to Johore 10/07/2010

The above outing organized by the ADA (Alzheimer’s Disease Association) for the staff and the care-giver; a time for a get away and relaxation.

At 0700 hours our group assembled at our Jurong Point and we were picked up by the coach from the Toa Payoh main office. By 0800 hours we have already cleared the Immigration Checkpoint at the second link and on the way for breakfast at Kampong Indah.

Typical traditional Malay house at Kampong Indah.

My grandpa’s house at Bedok (1950’s)

It is constructed of wood and raised off the ground by support posts; a veranda in front and the doorway leading to the sitting room and 2 or 3 bedrooms inside. My grandpa’s Malay-style house at Kampong Bedok in the 1950’s was similar.

After breakfast of ‘nasi lemak’ a local favourite by which the rice is cooked with coconut milk and some ‘Pandan’ leaves to give ‘flavour and aroma’. The sambal with fish, but some would prefer chicken and some cucumber. We were given a briefing on mushroom farming and taken on tour into the storage house where the mushrooms are wrapped by plastic for germination.

  

Mushrooms in plastic packing     Waiting to board up the bus

  

We proceeded to Yong Peng to visit a factory making noodles. Upon arriving we de-bus and walked down a tract to this cottage industry. In a room we saw how the dough being prepared by the old way manually by a pole jammed at one end to the wall, straddle across a table where the dough is laid. A male Indian guy sits at the other end and using his weight by motioning up and down causing the pole to press on the dough; a rather crude method.

     

The modern machines for making and cutting the dough to noodles

Lunch/ Yong Peng: Kari, Bernard and Debbie/ Vivian and Fong.

‘Kong bak’ to go with the buns

          

Chicken cooked with wine.                    Enough, am I drunk?

After lunch we were off to a modern factory ‘Ecolate’ that breeds the birds and from the sliver of the bird comes the bird’s nest.

  

Introduction by video on the product/ Bird’s Nest Products on display

Exhausted? A moment of relaxation/ Ms Chua giving a lesson on botany.

At the agriculture farmland I found it rather interesting for my educational input and no doubt enjoy learning something new from types of various plants and the ingredients that we get. Meantime we have taken for granted when we get our groceries all clean up and presented at the shelves in our air-conditioned supermarket. We, Singaporeans are urban dwellers live in a concrete jungle, surrounded by blocks after blocks of flats and some of us have not even touch the rich soil of mother earth. Maybe for some there is this urge inside to be a farmer, probably after retirement. And owing to aging it would be natural for us to be slowing down and hope to work leisurely on the land. However I can see that it is not an easy job as you must begin early in the morning. It will require a lot of hard work probably, take the whole day to tilt the land and plant whatever crop. Especially the young plants in the nursery, they need attention as for watering, provide manure for faster and healthier growth and pesticide to keep pest away.

 

Plants like ‘Tongkat Ali’ good for circulation of blood/ Rows of sweet potato

Palm oil fruit.                                             Coffee seet

 

         

Cocoa fruit                                                  Banana tree

        

After shopping and dinner we are again on the road this time heading home. Our guide started the ball rolling by singing ‘Karaoke’. Suddenly we discovered that some good singers amongst us that can be immediately sign-up with ‘Mediacorp’.

  

Pose after dinner                            On the way back to Singapura

Alzheimer’s disease

Once I attended a care-giver session held in 2010 on the above subject ‘dealing with emotions involved in care-giving’. It was one of many ‘talks’ and training series organised by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association at Toa Payoh. My wife and I found it to be very fruitful and enriching that had help us initially in our difficult long journey trying to cope with the many problems that confronted us in caring my mum. In view of above it prompted me to write this article to share our experience with others..

Firstly the word ‘Alzheimers’ did not strike me, probably I have heard about it but did not know exactly what it is and I did not want to know as it was of no concern. The unexpected ‘shock’ came in the year 2001, when we brought my mother who was 83 years old to Changi General Hospital for a check-up. She was subjected first to a memory test, that involved a couple of common items used daily but she failed. Then followed by the usual ‘clock-test’ where she was told to draw her round-face wrist-watch on a blank paper provided. I was next to her and surprise to see her drawing only the dials, the long (hour) and the short (minute) hands.So her geriatric doctor winked at me to confirm as having the disease.

We were disappointed not only that we did not believe it but also could not accept the result. Our denial of the fact that it cannot be and there must be some mistake in the diagnosis. My mother has widely travelled as my step-father worked in the British Embassy and they get posted to different countries. They had been to Africa, Israel, Argentina, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. How come she ended up like this?

However she answered some questions asked by the doctor correctly and insisted that there is nothing wrong with her. Somehow it spell out the beginning of a nightmare.

For some time we did not realise that she started to lose things, jewellery, money withdrawn from the bank could not be accounted for and finally lost her bank book and passport. On 25/01/2001 I lodged a Police Report at the Police Post claiming loss of $12,000/- in money and jewellery. At that time she was living on her own at Marine Parade as she wanted be independent and did not want to bother us. Occasionally I used to visit her and at some stage found her behaviour strange; unlike before. She got agitated easily and usually we ended up with heated arguments; at that time I did not understand anything about the Alzheimer’s disease. Here I was trying my best to reason out things but that did not seemed to work and naturally I got angry. She held her domineering role as mother and I her sibling, her slave. Her word was law and her judgment passed was final and irrevocable; no question about it. In her rage she would chase me out and slam the door behind me. It was really frustrating in my failure to resolve the problem or come to some sort of compromise.

Then followed a series of accusation of stealing, everybody stealing including my Aunty, my wife when she went to the States for holiday with my son. Even myself when I changed to 'super-bike': she told the neighbour I stole her money. Once the maid had forgotten to lock her drawer and mum found money (maid's salary); she accused her of stealing and threatened to call the Police.

She had medicine and the younger brother Leo even bought supplement like ‘ginko’ pills but after some time she stopped taking. When we saw her condition deteriorating and neglecting herself; at this point it became ‘no can do’ so we decided to step in. We got an Indonesian maid named Sunarti as my mum also spoke bahasa ‘Melayu’ besides ‘English’. My mother a Eurasian of Portuguese descend, her grandparents from Malacca spoke ‘Kristang’ a local lingo which is corrupt (rojak) a mixture of Portuguese and the local Malay language.

So the maid (care-giver) begun her long journey (6 years) of ‘ups and downs’ as according to my mother’s mood. On the lighter side my mum treated her as a daughter, taught her English, how to ‘make-up’ and believe it or not even taught her to play piano. We her siblings did not even have that privilege. On the dark side when she had gone ‘haywire’, she used to beat her and questioned her, '”Why are you staying here, you don’t have papa, mama and why must I feed you?” The favourite hours would be after midnight, the maid would called me and I rushed down to the ‘rescue’. We kept her at my place for 2-3 days before sending her back again. My mum would then receive her with open arms saying '”You know the old maid was very bad, stole my money” The maid told me that once my mum beat her with a stick and chased her downstairs to the void deck watched by an inquisitive crowd. Instead my mum would turn around and told them the opposite story that the maid beat her with the stick she was holding.

In 2003 the maid was due to return for ‘leave’ and in preparation we brought her to a Nursing Home at Katong twice; first day to introduce her to the inmates and the surroundings. On the second day we brought her clothing's for a two week’s stay. That night or rather morning around 2.00am I received an emergency call from the Nursing Home requested me to come down immediately. My mum had cause a big commotion as she was trying to scale the main gate and the nurses and even the cook had turned out to restrain her. They politely told me to take her back and that they will refund the money. Anyway the maid had to fly off so there was no alternative but to stand in as it happened all of a sudden. I had become the right choice for a substitute maid at least for the time being. I never forget that stressful two weeks endurance had been as I kept counting the days, the hour, right up to the minute for the maid’s return. However, many thanks to the fruitful talks given at the ADA sessions, help me to a better understanding, in accepting my mum’s condition, some pointers on emotions,stress management, help to identify the cause, avoid confrontation, apply softer approach, deviate her attention, change the subject did enormous help. Lastly in believing one’s faith, of ‘Divine’ help from the ‘Good Lord’ for spiritual strength to endure the hardships and rely in God and the power of prayers.

My mum’s block of flat went for up-grading and temporary they stayed with us to avoid the noise and mess in the process. When it was ready, it was like brand new; with seating toilet, floor and wall tiles. Re-wiring and relocation of power-points; so the refrigerator had different position. When she stepped in I believe she was disoriented and exclaimed '”This not my house”. It took some time to settle her in.

In 2004 my mum had a fall near her block and broke her hips; she had surgery at the Changi General Hospital and later transferred to St. Andrew’s for rehabilitation. There she was restless, un-easy yet mobile so they had to restrain by tying her up. However she was like ‘Houdini’ the famous escape artist and each time manage to undo the whatever ‘knot’ applied. So much so extra attention paid by re-locating her to the front of the ‘Nurse Station’, subject to scrutiny right under their noses. After her discharged from hospital we had to take both of them to stay with us for better supervision.

One time the maid was looking high and low for her dress which she had taken out for changing but could not find. When the maid opened the refrigerator she was shocked to see her clothes neatly rolled up and placed on the shelf

. Another time my son brought two dogs (Huskies) to my house and my mum approached and called out ‘meow! meow!. I was shocked for me it was a confirmation of her illness beyond doubt as she could not differentiate cats from dogs; it was truly sad. As for her temper it had never really subsided and on one occasion at my place she got agitated and upset. Suddenly bursting into a rage, took my new rice-cooker and smashed it to the floor. It happened so fast that we were caught by surprise and unable to intervene.

Mum and huskie dog

My mum with care-giver Sunarti at Marine Parade.

Things became worst when in 2006 I had a very serious road accident that killed my pillion-rider and I was badly maim. I had 4 surgery at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital and that I believed the accident had triggered my heart attack. At one stage at the brink of death, a priest was called to administer the 'Extreme Unction' a Catholic ritual (Last Rites) for  anointing in preparation for dying. Later I went for a 'heart by-pass operation' at National University Hospital. However by the grace of God I survived and was in and out of hospital even as if not enough I was infected by the super bug called 'MRSA'. I underwent isolation and treatment at Tan Tock Seng and later transferred to St. Luke's Hospital (Christian) for re-habilitation. During this most difficult time my wife had to manage her daily affairs; at times having to drag along my reluctant mum. Many good people prayed and help with spiritual and moral support; which we are most grateful.

To-day my mum now 92 years old still able to walk short distances but usually we strapped her to a wheel-chair to prevent her from falling. One morning she awoke and started walking; her eye-sight poor and the new maid was in the kitchen (the old care-giver had gone back to get married). We were still sleeping when suddenly we heard a ‘bang’ as she had fallen and knocked herself at our door. Fortunately no serious injury sustained but it gave us an awful fright because when old people fall usually they could break a bone or two.

My mum ‘Leonie’ now 92 years old.

Another problem accounted is ‘communication breakdown’ she has lost the usage of language that is to say cannot construct a proper sentence that has meaning. We cannot understand what she is trying to say; it was mumbo-jumbo sometimes in English, or Bahasa Melayu or ‘Kristang’ or better still, a mixture of all three.

We devised a schedule to regulate a pattern that is for the morning, breakfast, follow by bath, Lunch time at noon, tea-break around 3.00pm and last dinner time at 6.30pm. At night bedtime would be around 9.00pm; sometimes her day became night and the reversed. She slept during day and widely awake during night, talking to herself endlessly, sometimes laughing and even crying. Of course we try to keep her active during the day to tire her off; but sometimes the odd just happened. She has mellowed down and it is sad to see her living in her world of her own. There is nothing that we can do for a reverse. We understood that the disease is incurable and the medicine is only for slowing down the process. So the time comes for us to be realistic, in acceptance, not to blame her or ourselves and it is time to loosen up the tension and let things go.

My mum still has that aggressiveness, sometimes bursting out in temper, shouting with her hand pointing out or sawing the air. I think the display is maybe about wanting attention. I remember when we were young, she was very strict; her rules by 6.00pm we must be home for prayers. Late and she will be waiting at the doorstep armed with a cane or broom-stick or whatever to impress you what she meant.

However, we still love her by showing our concern, our compassion, by touching, gently stroking her, warmly embracing, kissing her and whispering to her ear ‘I love you’.

An answer to prayers?

I am a cradle-born Catholic, my mum decided the best for me that is baptism and schooling. I went to St. Patrick’s Katong; a missionary school where I received my early religious input. We read a simplified version of the Bible without numbering or footnotes.In those days Masses were in Latin as it is the official language of the Catholic Church; before Vatican allowed the use of vernacular languages.

St. Patrick’s School (Katong) 1951

My first test of faith came when I worked in the Agency Department of a shipping company in the 1970’s. On one occasion when on board I was asked by the Russians, who became Communists after taking up arms in the 'Bolshevik Revolution' in October in 1917; whether I had a religion. I replied that I am a Christian, they were inquisitive and wanting to hear more.

The Soviets a 'Super Power" had very large fleet, Naval, Merchant and other vessels from oil/gas & the fishing Industries.

Meeting on Board with the Russians.

As Atheists, to them religion is a waste of time and money as they did not believe in God; ‘there is no God.’ Religion is based on beliefs (faith) whereas Atheism relies upon explanation from science. Success in life depended upon your own ability to excel, in making sacrifices and of course indulging in hard work. That is to say you decide or make your own destiny through your capability. They asked me, “Have you seen God?” of course my answer was negative; they were amused and burst into laughter. The enquirer was the 1st Officer of the ship, who was also known as the 'Political Commissar': whose role was akin to that of a 'priest' as guardian of the Communist 'ideology'. He teaches socialism, equality, common ownership or state-own, so 'private property' is the yardstick of problems and fiercely un-acceptable.

At that time my faith was shallow and therefore unable, unprepared or rather dare not try to convince them that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person of ‘Holy Trinity’, yet human, he was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again from the dead and later ascended into heaven. The Salvation story would have sounded terribly ridiculous and totally absurd. An incredible tale, sheer stupidity for it is not humanly possible – wishful thinking more like a fairy tale, a myth. I acknowledged that they the Communists are not fools but intelligent people who happened to in 1961 sent the first man into space (Yuri Gagarin}.

I remember a big religious event in 1950’s when the Statue of ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ on Global tour, came to Singapore. It was held at my school ground and the Catholic faithful turned out in strength in support. There was a procession and all were praying for the ‘conversion of Russia,’

I worked 20 years for the Russians as assistant manager from 1973 to 1994. I handled crew matters that included death occurring onboard their vessels. Normally it would involved arranging removal of the corpse to the Mortuary. It is a Government requirement for the purpose to determine the cause of death. I would then collect the clothing from the vessel and hand over to the casket company. They would arrange making-up, dressing the corpse before placing in the coffin. For export purposes it had to be hermetically sealed and wooden crated before sending by air back to their country. Usually I would run through the pockets to ensure that there is nothing (drugs or illegal stuff).

Things changed when Mikhail Gorbachev became President (1985-1994), he introduced ‘Gladnost’ the policy of openness and ‘Perestroika’ for re-structuring. He even said that not to expect miracles because he is not Jesus Christ. Eventually the ‘iron curtain’ was lifted, the Berlin Wall that physically separated the East from the West came down; religion being tolerated. The Russian Orthodox Church once suppressed with churches turning into Museums; now allowed to emerge and revive.

During this period when death occurred on board and in collecting the clothing; something un-usual happening. I found ‘Holy Pictures of St. George’ and rather surprised at the appearance of religious items as they are Communists so I asked them. They answered that the reason was that St. George is the ‘Patron Saint’ for sailors/seamen; my jaws almost dropped as I did not expect the turn-around. Then I begun questioning myself, am I witnessing the fulfillment of a prayerful crusade that begun at Fatima (Portugal) in 1917 when Our Lady appeared to the 3 children on 13th May..

Visiting Russian T.S. “Nadezhda’ to Singapore (Sail training ship)

Sinsov staff invited on board.

Icon/Byzantine Art/Portrait of Jesus in the mess-room.

Icon/Byzantine Art (Certified copy of Virgin Mary with child Jesus) given to me.

I truly believe in the power of prayers for it had happened to me at the brink of death for serious injuries sustained in 2006 road accident where my pillion died. I had ‘heart attack’ twice, many good people prayed for me and I was given the ‘Last Rites’ /Extreme Unction (Anointing) a Catholic ritual in preparation for dying. However by the grace of God I managed to pull through, and thank the Almighty that I have another lease of life.

Praise the Lord, Alleluia!

Navy Open House 2010

As an early bird I took the MRT from Jurong East Inter-change to Singapore Expo where I boarded a Chartered bus that ferried the lot to Changi Naval base. We alighted before the entrance, prop-up by a decorated archway; welcoming us. We walked through and had a full view of the sprawling area which is about the size of 15 football fields.

Entrance to ‘Navy Open House, 2010’

Stealth frigate ‘RSS Steadfast’ pennant No.70

The Stealth frigate is French design of the ‘La Fayette’ class by ‘Direction des Constructions Navales’ (DCN). The first ship to be built for the RSN was RSS ‘Formidable’ and launched in Lorient in 2004. The subsequent 5 ships were built by Singapore Technologies Marine at their Benoi Shipyard. They are the following RSS ‘Intrepid (69), ‘Steadfast (70), ‘Tenacious’ (71), ‘Stalwart’ (72) and ‘Supreme’ (73). They are known as the ‘Formidable’ Class.

The 114.8m long stealth frigate ‘Steadfast’ commissioned in 2008 is armed with a single 76mm Oto Melera forward; also with harpoon, Aster SAM’ missile and torpedoes. The heli-deck at the stern can accommodate one S-70B ‘Sea Hawk’ Naval attack helicopter.The ship has a speed about 27 knots and compliment of 70 crew.

Sad to say that the event coincide with the death of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, who was also the Defence Minister. In the show of respect to this great man all the Naval White Ensigns were flown half-mast.

Landing Ship Tank RSS 'Endurance’(207)

'Endurance' class amphibious transport/dock are the biggest type of ships in the RSN. Locally designed and built by Singapore Technology Marine at their Benoi Shipyard. The 6,000 tons displacement ship has a front-loading bow, a well at the stern for landing craft to dock and a heli-deck for 2 Super Pumas helicopters. Seen here on the heli-deck are so called two small 9m long un-manned, armed modular platforms; the ‘Protector’ USV. (Un-manned Surface Vessel). It is used primarily for surveillance and protection duties. It saves from putting a man, a human- being at risk at being shot at. To-day amazingly technology has so advanced and achieve such high standards of reliability in creating substitutes to replace humans-beings for certain jobs and performing it well.

Normally the Landing Ship Tank or in some foreign magazines refer as ‘Assault Ship’ are deployed to patrol the gulf as part of Singapore naval contribution for the multinational Combined Task Force 151 maintaining surveillance and logistic support. On 'Boxing Day' December 2004 the fury of the ‘Tsunami’ struck Sumatra (Aceh, Meulaboh) with such devastating effect that some 150,000 people lost their lives. The RSN were the first to immediately respond to the call for humanitarian assistance by deploying three ‘Endurance’ class ships, the 'Endurance (207), 'Persistence' (209) and 'Endeavour (210) to transport men, material and supplies to the stricken areas.

Another view of Changi Naval base.

The stealth frigate RSS ‘Intrepid’ pennant No.69, berth along-side for the general public go on board for viewing, to have some idea how their loved ones, husbands or brothers or sons or relatives live onboard a modern warship.

The guided-missile Corvette, ‘RSS Vigour’

The RSS ‘Vigour’ is 62m long corvette built locally by S.T. Marine and commissioned in 1991. It has anti-submarine capability, also being armed with one 76mm Oto Melara quick-firing gun; harpoon anti-ship missiles and Barak surface-to-air (SAM) missiles. Their speed 30 knots and.the six ships of the ‘Victory’ class form No.188 Squadron RSN.

The bridge and mast of the corvette RSS ‘Vigour’

The single 76mm Oto Melara forward gun.

The squadron insignia badges of the 6-ships formation

The submarine RSS ‘Conqueror’

Purchased from Sweden in the 90’s belongs to the ‘Sjoormen’ (re-named ‘Challenger’ class) of 1200 tonnes (submerged). Length:51m with speed 10knots/surface and 16knots/submerged. Crew:28. Five were obtained four commissioned with one as spare. The four submarines form No.171 Squadron. Latest addition are two larger types, the ‘Archer’ class (Vestergotland) is 60.5m in length, has double decks and equipped with air independent propulsion (AIP) system. The mixture of pure oxygen with diesel, compressed in the combustion chamber to charge the batteries. It can prolong the stay underwater and also extend the range, an improvement from the 'Challenger' class. It is armed with 9 torpedo tubes with speed of 8 knots (surface) and 15 plus knots (submerge).

Another ‘Sjoormen’ class submarine enters the base

Another view of the ‘Sjoormen’ class submarine.

A ‘Chinook’ helicopter about to drop divers.

The Air Force twin-rotor heavy-lift CH-47 ‘Chinook’ helicopter flew in to drop naval divers in response to a mock hostage situation committed by a group of terrorists. They had held a hostage in a mock ship but soon the naval divers were in action and eventually they came to the rescue.

The LARC, 4-wheel Amphibian for joy-rides

The amphibians are ideal, vital for logistic support that can convey men, material, stores and supplies practically anywhere. They were used at Meulaboh during the Tsunami disaster and are in service with our Army and Navy. The civilians also acquire it second-hand and operate for tourism for river-rides like the ‘Duck Tours’ located at the Suntec City. However that day, the rides were free and the queues were exceptionally long; off course because they are free.

The Navy fast landing-craft

The landing-craft from the amphibious landing ships, RSS ‘Resolution’ (208) and also from RSS ‘Endeavour’ (210) both ships provided their landing-crafts for the free joy-rides operating from the stern of the ship. The ship can squat to flood the stern-section to enable the landing-crafts to float inside the well and the stern ramp-door open for access to dock or undocking. They reverse out and sail for a round trip within the basin and return for yet another trip.Very popular, crowded and always full; ‘ho sengli!’ but no money collected. Anyway many thanks! Navy guys.

The landing-craft returning into the stern-well.

Heli-deck of RSS ‘Endeavour’ (210) is a ‘Super Puma’ helicopter.

The large heli-deck can also take the larger SAF twin-rotor CH-47 ‘Chinook’ heavy-lift helicopter.

Bow view of the front-loading ramp RSS’ Resolution’

Bow view of the loading ramp, RSS 'Resolution'

From the bow front loading-ramp, you could see through to the stern-well, where a landing-craft approaching for docking.

The Republic of Singapore Navy Band.

For entertainment the Republic of Singapore Navy Band was in attendance to provide some popular and local favourites, .

There were some large tented structures to house a musical-stage, food-courts, family and exhibition halls that display latest high-tec gadgets or weapons systems or tactics; using even model for display.

There was also a large pool for the R/C gun-boats which the kids enjoyed sailing their miniature vessel patrolling around the setting of ‘Singapore Island’.

Remote-control, automated ‘smart’ gun with sensor.

I believe if I am not wrong, those seasoned kids in the computer gaming can operate it. From the display console, take aim, the sensor will help to ‘lock-it’,then depress the red firing button and it is done!.

Outdoor display the bigger 76mm Oto Melara gun mount.

Protector

The 9m long the modular platform, the ‘Protector’ (USV) an un-manned surface vessel is powered by water jets with the top speed of 30 knots and duration of 8 hours. It can be armed with a single forward gun and operated by remote control from the ‘Command Vessel’ and sent out on dangerous mission; in harm’s way without risking lives. It perform the duty of surveillance,or interception of suspicious craft approaching. Equipped with an assortment of gadgets like radar, sensors, microphone,loud speaker and video camera that relay back images to the “command Ship’ for assessment and enhance decision-making for the next move.

The specifications.

Hovercraft.

Seen here and not for public display is a ‘hovercraft, an air-cushioned vehicle used as logistic support by conveying anything, men, military vehicles, equipment, stores and supplies.

The last three ships, a patrol craft, a mine-counter-measure and a special ship, a submarine Rescue ship.

The Patrol Craft.

The patrol vessel is 55m in length with a displacement of 500 tonnes and has a speed of 20 knots using 2xKamewa waterjets propulsion system. It is armed with 1x76mm 'Oto Melara' forward gun, SAM missiles and Anti-submarine torpedoes. Twelve vessels form the 182/189 Squadron. One ship RSS 'Courageous' was badly damaged in a night collision with a container ship in the Straits of Singapore that had her stern sliced off'' and with loss of life.

Mine counter-measure ship, RSS ‘Katong” pennant No.M-107

The title suggest anti-mine operations, to counter all sorts of sea mines, to acoustic mines. The modern Swedish-built ships have fibre-glass hull as non-magnetic material in it’s construction. For the older type mine-sweepers like the British ‘Ton’ class, they have wooden hulls.

The submarine rescue ship, ‘Swift Rescue’

An interesting ship with red hull and white super structure, was built in Singapore by Singapore Technology Engineering at it’s Benoi Shipyard and launched first half of 2008. The main submarine rescue vehicle was built in England by James Fisher Defence and can descend to the depth of 500m. The Navy had awarded $400 million contract to ST Marine/James Fisher for design, building and maintaining the ship/rescue system for 20 years. The vessel has the speed of 13knots and a compliment of 27.

I noted that it was flying the blue flag of the Singapore Maritime instead of the RSN white naval ensign. So obviously it is civilian registered ship with the Port of Singapore and carried a mixed crew of servicemen and civilians to operate the ship and it’s sophiscated equipment.

The stern with the prominent giant gantry to launch the rescue vehicle (submarine).

A helipad in case the need for air- evacuation of serious casualties.

The ship’s navigation bridge, modern no steering wheel.

The absence of the familiar steering wheel, which I was accustomed seeing and now being replaced by small knobs. It appears that just not so long ago that I was last on board a ship probably in 2004, the Russian dredger ‘Khersones’ which was working in the land refill at Jurong Island and Tuas Extension. Only then I realised that technology have progressed by leaps and bounds and that I was out of touch.

A RSN woman officer explaining the casualty station

Where casualty are first attended to when they are taken out from the rescue vehicle.. From there they are transferred to the sick-bay for further treatment or monitoring and observation.

Decompression chamber.

The two large decompression chambers on board can hold 50 people for treatment. It has three compartments with central for control and are interlocked. Upon rescue and surfacing, they are being put in the chamber for decompression in order to get rid the nitrogen that are saturated in the blood stream that can form bubbles; and block arteries or cause damage or danger of heart attack.

The Rescue Vehicle (submarine)

This is the submersible, the submarine rescue vehicle DSAR-6 (Deep Search and Rescue-6) weighing 25-tonnes, Length 10m x 3.3m. It is operated by 3 crew and can rescue up to 17 people. It can descend to the depth of 500m.

Hi! Navy guys, Keep it up, I remember from the early days in 1965 after being booted out of Malaysia and independence forced upon. Our infant Navy inherited two miserable wooden ships, ‘Panglima’ a ‘Ford’ class and ex-Marine Police gun-boat with a pea-shooter named ‘Bedok’. The enormous task of building a defence force from scratch fell upon our late Dr. Goh Keng Swee; sadly he has just recently passed away. For the Army we had only two battalions of Singapore Infantry Regiment and no air force. The Army, the red head soldiers (Ang Tau Peng) as locally known; for they had white uniforms with side-caps. Like those worn by the British Royal Air Force except in red colour; so that was why they got their nickname. However, within the span of four decades, the dynamic Dr Goh laid down the foundation that transformed the Singapore Armed Forces amazingly into a fighting force to be reckon with. Our Navy a smaller transformation into a highly compact and balanced naval force with stealth frigates, missile corvettes, gunboats, anti-submarine, mine-counter-measures warfare, amphibious/logistic ships, naval helicopters, long-range Maritime patrol aircraft, submarines and now a special ship, a submarine Rescue Ship. It has come a long way to the present state of affairs; a 3G fighting force with state of art weapons, equipment, communication and networking system

The show was well organised and said to have drawn some 110,000 visitors, breaking the previous record of 100,000 in 2007. Well done! credit to you.

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Re-cap two old photos: ex-RSS ‘Panglima’ at Tuas.

RSS ‘Panglima’ pennant No.P68' seen here bare, being stripped off everything. A sad ending for this historical ship, the Navy first and the longest serving ship (1956-1991) ex-RN, ex-RMN served faithfully for 35 long years and could not be saved as a memorial from the breaker’s Yard. Probably the last photo taken to capture that moment discarded and abandoned as I slowly and respectfully sailed past my 30 ft powered boat. I salute her, the grand old lady as I know that the end was inevitable and she would be broken up.

Seen at it’s Clifford Pier mooring the Marine Police gunboat, ‘Bedok’.

Sketch: RSS Panglima.

Boatman: ‘Hi! captain the Newspaper reported your ship missing.’

Captain: GGRRrr...'Don't be funny or Newspaper will report you are missing'

Anyway I wish you Navy guys, ‘Well done and keep it up’

May God bless and protect all, especially those who sail.

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