Part 5/12:
Singapore’s strategic position along busy shipping lanes necessitates continuous maritime patrols, especially in the South China Sea. Vessel patrols involved active tracking of ships, checking for contrabands, illegal immigration, and unauthorized entry.
Vessels entering Singapore waters underwent detailed inspections—crew verification, cargo checks, and security assessments. In one instance, a vessel that had collided with a tanker and sank was investigated. Debris from the incident posed navigational hazards, requiring prompt clearing measures coordinated with maritime authorities.