Some enter East Coast Park waters despite oil spill advisory

Docs warn exposure to low-sulphur oil can pose health risks such as respiratory issues

- Elise Wong

Nearly three weeks after a June 14 maritime accident at Pasir Panjang Terminal resulted in oil washing ashore in East Coast Park, Mr Muhammad Norisham returned to his hobby of skimboarding at the park.

Skimboarding involves using a small surfboard to glide across the water’s surface, meeting an incoming wave, and riding it back to shore.

Despite cordon tapes and advisories urging the public to avoid the waters as the cleanup continues, the 39-year-old was undeterred.

Mr Norisham, a mechanical technician, decided to skimboard on July 3, after finding that the beach looked clean the previous day. An hour after entering the water, he said he was advised by National Parks Board (NParks) officers patrolling the area to refrain from such activities.

Mr Norisham was among those who had gone into the sea at East Coast Park on the evening of July 3, against the advice of the authorities.

Doctors interviewed by The Straits Times warned that exposure to low-sulphur oil can pose serious health risks.