New rescue vessels see action in response to 'plane crash'

Here's a look at the Airport Emergency Service's new rescue craft.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan

A plane carrying 300 passengers "crashed" in the waters off Changi Airport shortly after 2pm on Oct 17, after smoke filled its cabin and the captain made a mayday call.

Thankfully, this was a drill, and the "survivors" were rescued by the Airport Emergency Service's (AES) fleet of four newly commissioned rescue craft, which have "improved firefighting, rescue and search capabilities", said Changi Airport Group (CAG).

The live drill was part of a crisis simulation exercise, known as Exercise Bobcat, organised by CAG every year to test the airport's emergency and incident management plans.

AES, a division of CAG, is responsible for aviation rescue and firefighting, and responds to incidents at the Changi and Seletar airports and Republic of Singapore Air Force bases.

At Changi Airport, which is mostly surrounded by water, AES' sea rescue base responds to incidents at sea - like the one described above - that occur within about 10 nautical miles of the Changi Control Tower.