KEPPEL BAY, SENTOSA COVE AND THE SOUTHERN ISLANDS, SINGAPORE

Singapore (Keppel Bay & Sentosa): boating safety

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Singapore's main yacht marinas are at Keppel Bay and Sentosa Cove on the south coast, facing the Southern Islands and the Singapore Strait. Pleasure craft share these waters with one of the world's busiest ports, its anchorages and the strait's shipping lanes.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call +65 6226 5539
Call MRCC Singapore (MPA POCC) on +65 6226 5539. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Singapore: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

MPA's Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) keeps a 24-hour watch on VHF 16; the port's VTIS working channels are 7, 10, 14 and 73. POCC also monitors VHF DSC channel 70 for distress alerts.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore ▾
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “24-hour emergency contact VHF Channel 16 VTIS working channels 7, 10, 14, and 73”
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “VHF Channel 16 VHF DSC Channel 70”

ONE15 Marina Sentosa Cove works on VHF channel 77 (call sign "ONE15Marina") with a 24-hour marina operation line, and has an on-site Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facility.

ONE15 Marina Sentosa Cove · ONE15 Marina Sentosa Cove ▾
one15marina.com (2026-10-14): “VHF Radio: Channel 77 Call sign: ONE15Marina +65 6305 6999 (24-hours Marina Operation)”
one15marina.com (2026-10-14): “Customs, Immigrations, Quarantine (CIQ) Facility”

Weather

MPA's POCC broadcasts navigational warnings and weather bulletins on VHF channel 9 every two hours from 01:00 UTC. A weather bulletin is also broadcast on NAVTEX twice daily, at 00:20 and 12:20 UTC.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore ▾
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “VHF Channel 9 Timing of broadcast: Once every two hours commencing from 0100h (UTC).”
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “The weather bulletin is broadcast twice daily at 0020h and 1220h (UTC).”

Local rules

Pleasure craft used in Singapore port waters must be licensed by MPA, and anyone driving a powered pleasure craft needs a Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) or Advanced licence (APPCDL) issued by the Port Master.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore ▾
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “All pleasure craft to be used in Singapore port waters must be licensed.”
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “Drivers of powered pleasure craft must possess a valid Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) or an Advanced Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL) issued by the Port Master.”

Any incident (collision, damage, injury or loss of life) involving a pleasure craft must be reported to the Port Master within 48 hours.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore ▾
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “In the event of any incidents, such as collisions, damages to craft, any injuries or any loss of life, the owner, master or the person in charge of the craft must report such incidents to the Port Master within 48 hours of the incident.”

Hazards

The Singapore Strait and port waters are among the busiest in the world, with traffic monitored by MPA's Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). Keep a good lookout and stay well clear of ships.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore ▾
mpa.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “With the Singapore Strait and Singapore port waters as some of the busiest in the world”

In the Southwest Monsoon (June-September), "Sumatra squalls" - lines of thunderstorms from the west - bring gusts of 40-80 km/h, usually between the small hours and midday.

Meteorological Service Singapore ▾
weather.gov.sg (2026-10-14): “Occasional “Sumatra Squalls” with wind gusts of 40-80 km/h occurring between the predawn hours and midday.”

Hospital and medical

Singapore General Hospital (Outram) has a 24-hour Emergency Department. Its Hyperbaric & Diving Medicine Centre runs a 24-hour diving-emergency service (tel. 6222 3322).

Singapore General Hospital · Singapore General Hospital ▾
sgh.com.sg (2026-10-14): “A 24-hour one-stop Emergency Department for emergencies including resuscitations, critical emergencies and ambulant minor emergencies.”
sgh.com.sg (2026-10-14): “Call 6222 3322 (24 hours for diving emergencies)”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Singapore (Keppel Bay & Sentosa)?

Call MRCC Singapore (MPA POCC) on +65 6226 5539. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Singapore (Keppel Bay & Sentosa)?

MPA's Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) keeps a 24-hour watch on VHF 16; the port's VTIS working channels are 7, 10, 14 and 73. POCC also monitors VHF DSC channel 70 for distress alerts.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Singapore (Keppel Bay & Sentosa)?

MPA's POCC broadcasts navigational warnings and weather bulletins on VHF channel 9 every two hours from 01:00 UTC. A weather bulletin is also broadcast on NAVTEX twice daily, at 00:20 and 12:20 UTC.

Read before you sail

Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doCold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Penang 330 nmLangkawi 386 nmPhuket 512 nmKoh Samui 550 nmBali — Benoa 908 nmEl Nido / Palawan PhilippinesLabuan Bajo / Komodo IndonesiaHong Kong (Victoria Harbour & Sai Kung) Hong Kong

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