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.

.

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.

</ p>

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter (Tabgha)

1st May, 2006

After a boat trip in the Sea of Galilee, we returned to the pier which is near a Museum called ‘Yigal Allon Centre’; exhibiting believe to be a first century skeletal remains of a fishing boat. We gave a missed owing lack of time and rushing to our next destination.

We boarded our coach and are off again heading for a place called ‘Tabgha’ on the North Western side of Galilee. Upon arrival we alighted and descended the slop to the foot of the hill to where a small chapel located by the sea shore named the “Primacy of Peter’. This spot is known as Simon Peter’s landing place; here is shown the greatness of our Lord. It tells us whoever believes and obeys Jesus as Peter did will see the manifestation of his glory. At what seemed to be senseless command of Jesus, Peter rowed out to the deep to let down his nets to a spot where fish were unlikely to be found. The order were completely against the common sense of fisherman. But Peter obeyed and replied, ‘At your word, I will let down the nets’. Peter had high expectation of what Jesus would do, because he believed that Jesus could make the impossible, possible. That miracles would occur at his command. We should follow Peter’s example, have faith and daring to act upon Jesus’ words in obedience, even they appear illogical. And like Peter we could discover who Jesus truly is. Jesus had promised Peter that he would be the primate of the Church (Matt 16:16-19) Despite not long ago during his passion Peter had denied him thrice. Peter had learned his lesson from bitter experience of his wretchedness. Aware of his weakness he puts everything in Christ’s hands, ‘Lord, you know well that I love you’.

This episode is a reminder of the first miraculous catch of fish in Lk 5:1-11, where our Lord promised Peter that he would make him a fisher of men; now he is going to confirm him in his mission as visible head of his church.

Inside the chapel is a flat-top rock formation like a table and a placard in ‘Latin’ at the foot describing it as ‘Mensa Christi’ (table of Christ). Here Jesus singled out Peter.and asked him three times if he love him and Peter answered affirmative thrice. Then Christ who is the ‘Good Shepherd’ gave Peter all the authority that he had earlier promised by this gesture, ‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.’ He confer upon Peter the responsibility as leader, the shepherd to lead his flock. In Lk 22:31-32 ‘Christ prayed that Peter would have faith that would never fail, that he would be a guide for the others.

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter at Tabgha

Jn 21:9-17 ‘As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and inspite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?; they knew quite well it was the Lord, Jesus. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This is the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’. A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said, ‘look after my sheep’. Then he said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you, Jesus said to him, ‘feed my sheep’.

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter was built of black basalt by the Franciscans in 1933 over the 4th century foundation.

Who do people say the Son of Man is?

2nd May, 2006

As part of our pilgrimage tour we were travelling from Cana (Church of the wedding feast) to a place called Caesarea Philippi, about 20 miles North of the Sea of Galilee. To view the ruins of the City of Banyas built by Philip the Tetrarch who named it after the Emperor Caesar Augustus who died in 14 A.D. and himself. He was the son of Herod the Great and it took him from 4 B.C. until his death in 34 A.D. It was about one hour’s drive and we arrived at around noon. Alighting from our coach we proceeded to the entrance where the stream of clean, clear running water came cascading down from higher grounds.

We ascended the slop led by a path towards our right that brought us before a large cave and a large excavation site of archaeological findings. The ruins of the ‘Temple of Pan’ built before the cave entrance, against the backdrop of a gigantic wall of rock 300ft high and running 500ft long. It is part of the southern foothills of Mount Hermon. There were fishes swimming about and some heading upstream.There was this contraption with an spherical concrete base like a ‘top’ with an iron pole running through it’s centre for a hand-grip.On it’s concrete base is ‘embossed’ the wordings taken from Matthew’s Gospel. If you hold the pole and roll the inverted spherical base it will imprint Matthew’s text on the loose sand.

The cave and ruins at Caesarea Philippi.

Placard giving historical information.

The archaeological site with ruins of the Temple

Matt 16:13-20 (Peter’s profession of faith). Quote from Jerusalem Bible.

’When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say of the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets’, ‘But you,’ he said’ who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said,’Son of the living God. Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it is not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you; you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven. Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Remember Christ is a Jew and he spoke Aramaic, the local language and Matthew wrote his Gospel originally in Aramaic intended for the Jewish Community. Christ chose Simon alone, whom he named ‘Peter’ to be the ‘rock’ of his church. The Aramaic word for rock is ‘Kaypha’ in which he used; so the early church was founded upon Peter, who fixed his Chair in Rome. And the Roman Empire was the World at that time with it’s great vastness extended from Britain in the North, to Egypt in the South, Portugal in the West to Persia in the East. Rome the Capital had become the centre of civilisation and culture and all roads lead to Rome. So Peter established the ‘Mother Church’ there which has become the root of Catholicism.

For the first 1,000 years of Christianity, there was only one church “Catholic’ meaning ‘Universal’. It was at Antioch that for the first time converts were called ‘Christians’. As the Church spread, Greek language soon took over as common usage; owing to Hellenisation as result of conquest made by ‘Alexander the Great’. Aramaic was spoken only by the Jews, whereas Greek could be understood by many; was the ‘lingua franca’ of the time. Thus the books of the New Testament were eventually written in Greek. Since 3rd century after the persecution when Christianity was accepted; Latin became the official language of the Catholic Church. And Pope Damasus commissioned Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin (the ‘Vulgate’) in which the linguist took 35 years to complete. In early times the Bible had to be hand-written, a slow, pains-taking, labouring process with limited circulation to churches and monasteries. For an ordinary person to own one would be beyond his means and also a vast majority of the population, farmers working on their lands were illiterate and therefore could not read. It was only with the introduction of the printing press in the 15th century that Johannes Gutenburg, the Catholic inventor printed the first book, the ‘Bible’ and it was in Latin. From then progressively the Bible became widely available and affordable.

Then came the ‘East/West Schism in the year 1054 when the churches split between the Latin-rites Roman (Western) Church and the Eastern-rites Byzantine/Greek-speaking Orthodox Church. Their disagreement besides ‘doctrine’ on Christology but also on the supreme authority of the pope. Sadly it could not be resolved and there was no reconciliation but instead followed by mutual ex-communication of each other. Soon came Martin Luther in 1517 when he broke away to form the ‘Reformation (Protestant) church’. Henry VIII King of England also broke away not because of doctrine; for earlier Pope Leo X had confer upon him the title of ‘Fedei Defensor’ (Defender of Faith) for writing a treatise against Marin Luther defending the 7 Sacraments and the supremacy of the pope. However the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catharine of Aragon as he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn. Finally Henry established his National ‘Church of England’ and became the head.

To-day the Catholic Church comprises of one Roman (Western) and 22 Eastern Catholic Churches that are in communion with Rome. The Catholic Church is Apostolic, built on a lasting foundation: ‘the twelve apostles of the Lamb’ (Rev 21:14, The city walls stood on twelve foundation stones, each one of which bore the name of one of the twelve apostles of the lamb. Eph 2:20 You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone). She is indestructible (Matt 16:18) and upheld infallibly in the truth (1Tim 3:15) 'I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God's family - that is, in the Church of the living God which upholds the truth and keeps it safe'.

Christ governs his church through Peter and the other apostles who are present in their successors, the pope and the college of bishops. Imagine from only 12 apostles it has grown to enormous proportion to the present Catholic population of 1.13 billion, however for the first time, Islam have overtaken Catholicism with 1.5 billion.

In Matthew’s Gospel when Christ changed Simon name to Peter (‘Rock’), he gave him the ‘keys’ to his kingdom, with the divine power to bind and to loose. “Keys’ symbolise authority as used in the Old Testament in (Is 22:22, Rev 1.18) from ancient times to the present day; to be given the key to the city meant to be given free access to and authority over the city.

Christ had given his authority, protection and assurance; that the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. In Matt 28:18-20 ‘He said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; to the end of time.’

However, he also predicted the manner of death Peter would encounter. According to Catholic tradition Peter was crucified in Rome during persecution by Emperor Nero around 65 A.D. He chose to be hung upside as he felt unfit to die like his Master. His body was taken by the faithful and buried at a nearby cemetery (Catacomb).

Statue of St. Peter holding the ‘key’

So the path to the his kingdom can be rough and crooked as John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus, the ‘Voice in the Wilderness’ preaching and calling the people to repent. He was preparing the way to make the path straight, valleys be filled, mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked made straight; the rough paths made smooth.

The followers of Jesus, his apostles and disciples were martyred, starting with Stephen the first to be stoned to death outside the Lion’s Gate (Jerusalem) renamed St Stephen’s Gate. Peter crucified up-side down and Paul, a Roman citizen suffers less humiliation by beheading; both died in Rome. James the leader of the Jerusalem Church was martyred being thrown down from the Temple Mount. Andrew crucified at Patras in Achaia, Philip crucified in Phrygia, Simon the Zealot martyred in Persia as was Jude. Luke the Evangelist died at the beginning of the 2nd century in Thebes and Mark in Egypt and his body smuggled to Venice and entombed in St. Mark’s Basilica. Finally was left John who fortunately died of old age at Ephesus.

Who is this man called Jesus the Nazarene?

He did not have the military might

Nor any political power,

Never wrote down anything,

Travelled only a few miles around Galilee.

His own Jews were against him,

The Romans crucified him, nailed him to the cross.

His disciples deserted him,

When dead he was taken down and laid in somebody else's tomb,

Yet till this-day after more than more 2000 years, he left behind the legacy of tremendous impact whose influence effecting more than 1/6 of mankind that inhabit the world. And conversion continues everyday.

The same question Jesus is asking us, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?

Running aground

In 1974 the firm of ‘Sudoimport’ the marketing arm of USSR shipped out to Singapore a hydrofoil-motorship type ‘Kometa-M’ for purposes of demonstration. The 35m long ocean-going vessel could carry 102 passengers in air-conditioned comfort. The ‘M’ series denotes a ‘tropicalise version’ intended for use particularly in the warm tropical climate of South East Asia. The hull, superstructure are built of an aluminum-magnesium alloy and the foil system comprises of two large major stainless steel lifting foils; one fore and the other aft with a midship foil and stabiliser behind the fore foil. The sailing range without replenishing of bunkers is 240miles and sailing only in daylight hours; that is it must reach it’s port of destination before sunset. The mother ship was a large bulk-carrier named ‘Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya’ assigned to take her placed upon her main deck and securely lashed down.

11th July/ Thursday. ‘Kometa-M’ already discharged from mother-ship and in port, lying berth at godown No.48 Keppel Harbour. So I skippered our own company’s smaller 6-seater hydrofoil-boat type ‘Volga-70’ to the larger hydrofoil vessel. My ‘Volga-70’ has 8.55m in length and 2.1m breadth. It was powered by Swedish- made single Volvo-penta inboard/outdrive diesel engine of 90hp driving a top speed of 30knots. The range without re-fuelling about 120miles.

'Volga-70' 6-seater hydrofoil-boat at high speed.

1430Hrs: The Port Authority ‘Keppel Control’ had been notified by ‘Kometa’ VHF Radio that we would be leaving berth for approximately a 2-hour sea-trial and to report on returning. We received ‘radio clearance’ through VHF and left for the Eastern Roadstead. We were trailing behind with onboard the director of Soviet Cinema, a cameraman and 2nd Engineer.


Just outside of the breakwater’ mole at that time known as ‘outer roads’ the ‘Kometa’ made several runs for our cameraman before breaking off and heading for our next shooting destination at the Raffles Lighthouse located south of Pulau Senang. There we positioned ourselves in between near ‘Selat Biola’ The photography intended to capture the scenic view of a tiny island of swaying palms with the lighthouse in the background.

So the ‘run’ was a straight course from a point tip of Pulau Senang to Raffles Lighthouse, keeping clear of ‘Pemalang Reef’ on her portside. We were in the outer position and the run to be made in the middle between the reef and us. Anyway the ‘Kometa’ is equipped with modern navigation-aids,with radar, depth-sounder to ensure safe passage, all cramped in their aircraft-like ‘cock-pit’ wheel-house.

The initial runs were smooth and without any hitch, the two powerful 1,000hp diesel engines driving her at top speed around 30-33knots, her hull raised up and her foils skimming over the water surface. The cameraman went about his job shooting many photos. ‘Kometa’ would make a ‘U’ turn upon end of the run just before Raffles Light-house for the return run. However the director of film was not satisfied and wanted more closer shot with the light-house in background. I sounded the alarm of the risk as it would narrow down the path but he was insistent. He was a film man not a navigator and more immerged in the making of ‘good photography than that of safety and so my warning fell upon deaf ears.

'Kometa-M’ at top speed before Raffles Light-house.

We moved forward for closer ‘shot’ and stopped with engine running idling and in ‘neutral’ mode. The action of the current could have drifted us nearer towards the reef, thereby even narrowing the passage-way. For the next run, ‘Kometa’ came bearing down at top speed towards Raffles passing us from the inside without any mishap and speeded away. Suddenly further down there was a loud sound of crashing, she swerved violently portside in a complete circle, facing us again; engines went ‘dead’ Whoops!. We were shocked, stunt, speechless at what had happened, especially for the director who had been insistent.

As we rushed to the stricken “Kometa’ the master appeared at the starboard wing. He was up-set and grumbling in Russian, saying how come we did not know it was shallow. Obviously it was an navigational error, human mistake in plotting. I put the cameraman on board and ascertained from the master that nobody injured.

Then I proceeded to Raffles Light-house and to report of the grounding and relay the message to the Port Master.


Kometa high and dry,grounded at Pemalang Reef

Meantime master had informed the Port Operation Control by VHF radio of the mishap and that nobody injured. At that instant no assistance required and that they would wait for ‘high’ tide to re-float the vessel. The master also informed our Sinsov (Singapore Soviet Shipping Co. Ltd) Director Mr.Makarov, who immediately rushed down. As usual after such incident people were looking for a ‘scape goat’ and the accusing finger pointing to me. Of course I rebutted the accusation on ground how ridiculous it can be. As each of us as master/skipper of our respective craft is fully responsible basically to have sufficient depth of water to be able to float safely through. And it was his vessel running aground and not mine. More over the ‘Kometa’ is fully equipped with modern navigational aids, whereas on mine there was nothing no radar or depth-sounder. Also he is a Master Mariner with abundant years of sailing experiences, should have known better. In general light-houses symbolise danger indicating shallowness, the existence of reef or rocks above or around submerged, to stay alert and exercise caution.

For the time being we kept ‘mum’ and not spreading the bad news. I was sailing back our base at Kallang. However halfway at the water-boat channel we met an approaching boat named ‘Baracuda’ conveying our director Makarov, Jimmy our manager and boarding officers. They were on the way on fact-finding and to access the extent of damage and that of recovery.

After several attempts by master to re-float ‘Kometa’ at high tide failed, even with the assistance of a tug-boat to tow her off the reef. The stricken vessel on high and dry with not enough water for floatation. There were no alternative but to call in the professionals, the salvage people by the name of ‘Selco’. They brought in their big floating-crane and simply lifted up the ‘Kometa’ from the reef. Lowered to the deeper water and towed back to the yard for repairs.

Finally ‘Selco’ floating crane lifted ‘Kometa’ from the reef

Seen here ‘Kometa’  high and dry, sitting on it's specially-built cradle which was brought along for repairs. It came under the supervision of 'Det Norske Veritas' on behalf of USSR Class Registrar. The surveyor had to ascertain that all being complied that is required in order that "class' is restored and sea-worthiness retained.