UPAAS Visits The Singapore Navy

Some 30 members and friends of UPAAS went to visit the huge RSS 207 or RSS Endurance ship during the recent open house of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The Changi Naval Base holds an annual open house, and this year, its vessels were opened to the public on May 18-19.

So, on the morning of May 18, the enthusiastic UPAAS members and friends (FrUPAAS) made the long and winding way (someone described it as a spaghetti way) that took about 45 min to the shuttle buses that were waiting at the Hall 3 of Singapore Expo. Once full, the buses would drive away the visitors to the Changi Naval Base where the Open House was held.

Of the 30, about 18 managed to meet and enjoyed the special briefing by Capt Joshua Ho, the son of Ms Portia Ho (UPAAS president 2005-6). Captain Ho brought and led the UPAAS group around the RSS 207, the biggest vessel of Singapore’s navy.

The members were able to see the different rooms and areas of the ship (a landing ship tank) and these include the officers’ mess, the crew mess, meeting/briefing/conference rooms, bunks, control tower, medic room, flight deck, etc.

The highlight of the visit was the exhilarating ride on board the FCU (fast craft utility). It also gave us a panoramic view of the Singapore skyline away into the sea. The ride lasted for about 20 min.

After the RSS visit, it was free and easy – and each one was free to continue the visit on their own. Some stayed and some walked back to the exit area where the shuttle busses were waiting to bring the visitors back to Singapore Expo.

The RSN visit was initiated by PP Portia and Ms Chi. More pictures can be found in our Flickr site