OPS & TRAINING

ALWAYS ON HIGH ALERT

21 Oct 2019

21oct19pnr-photo0 — An SPF Police Coast Guard vessel (foreground, left) intercepts a terrorist speedboat with the help of RSS Independence (background).

// Story by Chia Chong Jin

// Photos by Chua Soon Lye & Robin Ng

A small speedboat is seen charging towards Singapore and shows no signs of stopping. In no time at all, the island nation's security agencies come together and respond to this threat; quickly neutralising it.

This was one of the scenarios at this year's Exercise Highcrest that tested the Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre which coordinates and manages the whole-of-government response to such maritime security threats.

Held from 16 to 22 Oct, the exercise involved national agencies such as the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

See what went down at Exercise Highcrest in the following images!

RSN’s Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) RSS Independence moves towards a ferry that is approaching Singapore to divert it away from its intended destination, as part of the demonstration of a lockdown at sea.

An SPF Police Coast Guard vessel (middle) chasing down a speedboat suspected to be used by terrorists to smuggle arms. The boat had been detected earlier by RSS Independence.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How (in blue) and Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Lam Pin Min (in white) observing the swift interception of the terrorist speedboat – made possible through tight coordination among the different security agencies.

At the forward screening area of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Mr Heng and Dr Lam were briefed on the SABRE 5000, which is used by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to check for any traces of explosives, chemical-warfare agents or narcotics.

At the arrival hall of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Mr Heng and Dr Lam were briefed on the regulatory control measures and enhanced security checks that will be taken during a lockdown.

During his visit to the whole-of-government maritime security exercise, Mr Heng highlighted its importance: ''This is where military defence and economic defence comes together… Our waters are full of ships, and there are all kinds of maritime traffic, and some of them can turn rogue and mount attacks on Singapore targets. The idea is how do we then be pre-emptive about it, to be very coordinated.''

Tags:

Ex Highcrest Maritime Security terrorist Whole-of-Government Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre SMCC Republic of Singapore Navy RSN Singapore Police Force SPF Police Coast Guard Singapore Civil Defence Force SCDF Immigration and Checkpoints Authority ICA Littoral Mission Vessel LMV RSS Independence 2019-ops

Got a great story to share?
Send it our way — we might feature it!

Share Your Story

ALSO READ IN OPS & TRAINING

SAF & Home Team to refresh Medical Classification System

13 Apr 26

The refreshed system will allow about 1,200 servicemen annually to be deployed for vocations and roles they were ineligible for previously.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong observes SAF’s sense-strike integrated capabilities

09 Apr 2026

He witnessed the SAF’s ongoing efforts in leveraging advanced robotics and cross-Service integration to secure Singapore’s interests in an increasingly volatile world.

SAF detonates 250kg WWII bomb uncovered at Tanah Merah Coast Road

02 Apr 2026

On 2 Apr, the SAF’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully disposed of an unexploded war relic found at Tanah Merah Coast Road.

Flying into the unknown: Inside RSAF’s mission to bring S’poreans home from Middle East

28 Mar 2026

Despite the risks and complex challenges of flying in a conflict zone, the men and women of the RSAF pulled off a successful mission through careful planning and hard work.