NJC Enrichment Week, An Ominous Start 27th March

Yesterday was the start of the NJC enrichment week, in which all the students get to sign up for courses that have absolutely no relevance to academia, for the mere fun of it.

I went for a Boat handling course, and thus now know how to tell the front from the back in daylight, and how to tell the front from the back in pitch darkness. And it’s not called the front and back. It’s called the bow and the stern. And at least I won’t run aground on coral/rocks, and if we ever capsize (through utterly no fault of my own) I would have been driving sensibly in a place in which we can be rescued or be swept to shore, notably not gallivanting around like some foolhardy idiot who fancies the thought of reenacting Lost, Survivor and all the other tragedies that involve a ship, sinking, handsome and beautiful survivors and probably cannibalism.

Note to self: Avoid entering the water at all cost when in the vicinity of known natural reserves of marlin (a whacking huge fish with a wickedly sharp, long snout), sharks ( also whacking big fish with a toothy grin) and barracuda ( surprise, surprise, speedy, big whacker with razor-sharp pearly whites). Why humans are constantly presented with a friendly nip, this is something my curiosity can remain unsatisfied about.

What I have learnt... (straight from the notes)

Glossary of Boating Terms

Bow: Front of vessel
Stern: Back of vessel
Aft: At or near the stern (back)
Forward: Towards/near the bow (front)
Ahead: In front of the vessel
Astern: Behind the vessel
Knot: A speed of 1 nautical mile (1.8 km) per hour
Underway: Not at anchor, not made fast to shore, not run aground (or in other words, still. Must satisfy all of above conditions)
Port: The left, when facing forward (or, the alcoholic beverage )
Starboard: The right, when facing forward
Wash: Waves created by the vessel’s passage when moving (also the command when in charge of the dishes, laundry and dog)

Vessel Parts

Bow: The front
Quarter: The part before the stern
Anchor: Weight
Anchor cable: Strong chain attached to both vessel and weight ( also, not attached to one idiot.)
Gunwale: The upper edge of the vessel’s sides
Hull: The body of the vessel
Freeboard: The height of the hull above the water
Draught: The depth of the hull in the water (or entire of ship when sunk)
Helm: The steering wheel
Wheelhouse: Enclosed structure containing the wheel, compass and controls
Flying bridge: Open area above the wheelhouse, usually fitted with a secondary wheel and other controls (unfortunately also the area, when faced with an abrupt stop, the launching point of flight. No misnomer.)

External Aids to Navigation

Buoys: Floating markers anchored with chains ( can also be said with a sigh and a roll of eyes)
Beacons: Conspicuous fixed markers
Lighthouse: House, with a particularly strong, er… light.

Types of Buoys and Beacons

Lateral: Port Hand Marks ( red, cylindrical can), Starboard Hand Marks (green, conical pillars)
Isolated danger: Black and red horizontal bands with a black double sphere topmark
Safe water: White and red vertical stripes with a single sphere topmark
Special: Yellow with a single yellow cross topmark (X) ( obviously notable for something but to find out without getting nasty surprises such as pufferfish affections, refer to a navigational map)

Important Lighthouses ( within Singapore waters)

Raffles Lighthouse: South of Pulau Senang ( White light, flashing 3 every 20 sec)
Sultan Shoal lighthouse: Western Anchorage ( White light, group flashing 2 every 15 sec)
Bedok Lighthouse: Laguna Park ( White light, flashing 1 every 5 sec)

*Flashing, not exposing nor streaking. Also no naked lighthouse keepers. Usually.

Important Restricted Islands

Pulau Senang, Pulau Pawai, Pulau Sudong: Southern Islands, SAF Live Firing Areas ( anything is a target, no kidding.)
Pulau Tekong: SAF Training Area. Largest offshore island. Restricted by SAF Regulations but not under Port Regulations
Pulau Brani: PROHIBITED. Naval Base. Shoot on sight.
Pulau Seraya: Part of Jurong Island, largest power station. Very prominent due to 3 towering chimneys with strobe lights (obviously not meant for disco.)

Unrestricted Islands

Pulau Sebarok: Fuel Storage Depot. Caution to be exercised when anchoring due to marine pipelines.
Pulau Tekukor: (nothing notable. Small. Don’t run aground.)
Pulau Serangoon: Designated mooring for barges and local fishing trawlers
Pulau Seletar: Designated area for water sports

Sound Signals

* = short blast of 1-2 sec
_ = long blast of 4-6 sec

Note: Intervals of not more than 2 min

* : Altering course to starboard
_ : Altering course to port
_ : Vessel making way
_ _ : Vessel underway
_ _ * : Overtaking on starboard side
_ _ * * : Overtaking on port side
_ * * : Dangerous vessel making way ( or dangerous driver making his own way)

Light Signals (on vessels)

2 white lights: Vessel at anchor
2 red lights: Vessel not under command (mechanical failure)
2 red, 2 white lights: Vessel run aground
1 red, 1 white lights: Vessel engaged in fishing

The More Important Rules for Avoiding Collisions at Sea

Rule 9:
A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.

Rule 13:
Any vessel overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

Rule 14:
When 2 vessels are meeting at reciprocal courses so as to incolves the risk of collision, shall each alter course to starboard (right) so that they pass each other on their port side.

Rule 15:
When 2 power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve the risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard (right) side shall keep out of the way, and if possible, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

Rule 16:
Every vessel shall take early and substantial action to keep well clear of another vessel

Rule 18:
A power-driven vessel shall keep clear of:
a) a vessel not under command (mechanical or human failure)
b) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
c) a vessel engaged in fishing
d) a sailing vessel (wind-powered)


Traditional Wisdom Sparingly Dispensed

Do not make out in parks along the Singapore coastline, despite it being pitch black and deserted. The Singapore Coastguard patrols the coastline 24-7 with infrared detectors to spot objects in the water in pitch blackness, examples being buoys, illegal immigrants and other thingummies. More often than not, the detectors are turned towards the shore, where officers have the doubtful privilege of seeing enough action to make a Karma Sutra.

Pirates do not (usually) wear eye-patches, have parrots, wooden legs and go "Yarrr! Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of RUM!" Despite what Johnny Depp has to say about it. The normal ones come under the cover of night, wear women’s stockings over their heads and tote enough firepower to puncture you, the ship and other puncturable objects. Go figure. As long as they outnumber you, hey, it’s anybody’s game. Target are usually smaller (and hence, richer ) pleasure craft.

The Navy (not pointing fingers at any country in particular, really! I have full trust in the Republic of Singapore Navy. C’mon, my dad’s in the Navy. ) can be pirates, or at least, whacking bullies in their own right. Some military vessels, commandeered by corrupt naval officers may stop you from entering the territory even though you have every right to do so. Passage may be bought with (rubs fingers together). Safe passage with military escort against pirates may also be arranged. Worst case is that you pay to not be harassed by the navy. Hey, this is the real world.

There are sharks in Singapore waters, along with many unpleasant inhabitants. White-tip shark, which may grow up to 7 m in length, live in the waters around the islands. So when you’re down there, beware. Also present are stonefish (poisonous spines), pufferfish (also with spines, but with an inflatable option.), jellyfish and numerous other denizens of the under…water.

Watch out for the racers! Oops! Generally, young hotbloods like to line up their jetskis and have a street race on the open water. Usually spotted by their characteristic bottom-in-air positions, please refrain from sadistic impulses to run one over. Instead, have mercy and pity for their rashness, for they live such short, short lives.

Avoid having a argument with a more expensive craft. Larger pleasure crafts can reach US six, seven figures. Imagine losing that argument. Or even better, imagine losing that argument in court.

If interested in getting a Power/Pleasure Craft Driving License (PPCDL), contact CPT (NS) Jon, Singapore Powerboat Association at 9-6892857 ( as recommended by a Mr. Ducro)

  ¶ 5:19 PM