The coronavirus pandemic might have resulted in travel restrictions, but essential goods including food continue to come into Singapore, mostly via sea.

Helping to ensure the safe passage of these merchant vessels is the task of 180 Squadron from the Republic of Singapore Navy, which boards ships as part of operations every day to check for stowaways and suspicious goods and activities.

Sailors from these boarding teams, affectionately known as sea marshals, now have to don protective gear such as masks, goggles and latex gloves as part of precautionary measures against the coronavirus.

They also adhere to safe distancing measures and have to speak louder or use hand gestures more often to communicate with ship crew as the masks muffle their voices.

The operations of these Accompanying Sea Security Teams continue as a critical operations unit of the Singapore Armed Forces, in order to deter bad actors such as terrorists and pirates.

The squadron’s commanding officer, Major Brandon Choo, said yesterday that even during the pandemic, maritime trade continues to be very active, with 70 per cent of the world’s maritime trade transiting through the Singapore Strait.

“This is even more so because many countries have stopped trade via air, as many planes are grounded,” he told reporters in a virtual interview, adding that many food imports come via sea.

The squadron, formed in 2004 under the Maritime Security Task Force, is on standby 24 hours a day, and can conduct two to three boarding operations daily, based on indicators such as voyage information, crew manifest and security records.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, there are about 1,000 vessels in the Singapore port at any one time, and a ship leaves or enters the country every two to three minutes.

Maj Choo, 38, said the number of operations conducted has remained about the same during this period. The servicemen on duty have to be isolated on base before and during their duty for weeks at a time to reduce the risk of infection.

To motivate the crew, the unit’s leaders buy them food from outside the base, such as fast food or local treats like tau huay (soya beancurd), as “care packages”.

“The morale of the operators in the squadron remains high, as each individual is engaged in very meaningful work. They know that they contribute directly to Singapore’s security,” Maj Choo added.

Private Nigel Lim, 22, a full-time national serviceman, said they have to speak louder and use hand gestures more often when communicating with the crew of ships they board. Also, after every operation, they follow a designated route so they do not interact with members of other teams. They go straight to their lodging area to sanitise their equipment and take a shower.

“I feel (the work we do) is very important to the safety of our sea line. By performing these operations daily, we make sure that necessities reach Singapore safely,” he said.

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