The MPA Singapore has issued advisory reminding operators of pleasure craft, recreational fishing vessels and yachts to comply with the port requirements before departing the Port of Singapore; and be familiar with the port entry requirements and procedures, as well as any other regulatory requirements such as immigration, customs, health, of the next port(s) of call.
Specifically, all vessels, must obtain a Port Clearance Certificate (PCC) before departing the Port of Singapore. A departure declaration, together with the relevant documents, should be sent to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in order to obtain the PCC.
The owners, agents and masters of pleasure craft, recreational fishing vessels and yachts must ensure that all statutory and mandatory certificates are valid when the vessels proceed to sea. The PCC issued by MPA is valid for 48 hours from the time of its issuance. A new PCC can be obtained if the vessel fail to depart during the validity period.
The departure clearance applications for crew and passengers leaving Singapore must be submited at least 6 hours but not more than 72 hours prior to the vessel’s departure. MPA Singapore further notes that this is in addition to the departure declaration made to MPA.
Moreover, prior to arriving the next port of call operators are advised to be familiar with the port entry requirements and procedures of the port. The appointed agent of the next port of call should be checked and all relevant information on such portentry procedures and formalities for the voyage planning should have been taken into consideration.
In addition, any activities carried out at sea should have the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities beforehand, and should adhere and abide by the maritime laws and immigration requirements of the country they are entering.
For the purpose of navigational safety, the AIS transponder onboard should have been ensured that is in operation, craft should have the latest edition of the nautical charts and the electronic navigational charts should have been updated, if used for the voyage.
It is also important that operators familiarise themselves with the locations of aids to navigation and hazards which they are likely to encounter during their voyage.
Source: MPA Singapore
