An Unexpected Incident at Tanjong Beach

In a surprising turn of events, the container barge Marco Polo 802 ran aground off Tanjong Beach, Sentosa, on the morning of June 6. Thankfully, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has confirmed that there have been no reports of damage, injuries, or pollution.

Tugboats to the Rescue!

The barge remains stable, and tugboats are currently working to tow it back out to sea. MPA stated, 'There is no impact to navigational safety,' ensuring that the beach remains open and accessible to the public.

Coordinated Efforts to Minimize Disruption

MPA is coordinating with the Sentosa Development Corporation and relevant agencies to ensure minimal disruption to beachgoers. Fortunately, a post on Sentosa's Facebook page reassured visitors that there’s no oil spillage, which is a relief for environmental concerns.

Local Reactions: Confusion and Concern

Kayak guide Ms. Kong Pei Ling spotted the grounded barge early, stating it blocked the lagoon and damaged floating sea barriers. 'We couldn’t launch our kayak trip around the coast of Sentosa and had to head to Palawan Beach instead,' she remarked.

Visitor Melvin, who was at the beach with family, expressed confusion over the barge's presence, noting, 'This isn't a place to unload containers.' Once he realized the barge was stuck, his concerns shifted.

Barge Recovery Underway

By 10:30 a.m., media presence confirmed the recovery operation, with three vessels and a tugboat seen working to free the Marco Polo 802. By 11:30 a.m., the barge had been moved approximately 500 meters from the shoreline.

What Comes Next?

The Marco Polo 802, an Indonesia-flagged vessel operated by Maersk, was originally scheduled to dock at a Singapore terminal by 10 a.m. MPA is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of this unexpected grounding.

Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops!