People taking part in water activities at Sentosa's Siloso Beach after it reopened on Aug 3. - Photo: Lianhe Zaobao
SINGAPORE: Beachgoers can now hit the water at Siloso Beach on Sentosa after it was reopened to the public on Saturday (Aug 3).
This is the first of three beaches on the island to reopen after the authorities closed them for a cleanup following an oil spill from a vessel on June 14.
The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Aug 3 that Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach will reopen in August after cleaning is completed.
Water activities at the two other beaches will resume once the water quality returns to normal levels, SDC added.
Siloso Beach reopened ahead of schedule after extensive cleaning efforts sped up the process.
The work was completed in 1½ months, which was half the time it was originally expected to take.
Water activities at beaches on Sentosa and the Southern Islands were suspended when more than 400 tonnes of oil spilt into Singapore waters after a dredging boat hit a bunker vessel.
Speaking to the media at the event to mark Siloso Beach’s reopening, SDC’s chief executive Thien Kwee Eng said there was overwhelming support from the public who wanted to help with the cleaning.
After the earlier phases of the cleanup that required specialised equipment and personnel were complete, volunteers were called in to help, with guidance from experts.
According to SDC, close to 450 volunteers helped to remove tar balls and marine debris from Siloso Beach.
Among the volunteers was Nanyang Polytechnic student Ng Shih Sheng.
The 19-year-old hospitality and tourism student said he had wanted to help when he learnt about the oil spill. He travelled from his home in Woodlands to help clean Siloso Beach on July 27 and 28, from 9am to 11am.
He said the area where he was deployed was already quite clean when he started, noting that most of the tar balls he picked up on the beach were very small.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in a statement: “Siloso Beach’s reopening reflects the success of our cleanup efforts, led by government agencies, supported by employees, specialists, contractors and volunteers.
“We deeply thank everyone for their patience and hard work, which have been crucial in restoring the natural beauty of our shores, allowing water activities to resume and beachfront businesses to operate fully.”
A spokesperson for SDC said that members of the public can go to Sentosa’s patrol officers for help if they spot tar balls on the beach.
Alternatively, they can go to the two kiosks located at the beach patrol towers at Siloso Beach to get equipment like metal tongs, gunny sacks and bamboo rakes to help with the cleanup.
SDC said that it wants to encourage “environmental stewardship from communities” through the initiative.
Dzafarul-Idham Sumati, 50, was among the first to return to the waters at Siloso Beach with his canoe.
Before the beach reopened, the creative producer trained with members of the Singapore Paddle Club at the Kallang Basin to prepare for a 100km race in Thailand.
He said he had missed the waves and the excitement of paddling off Sentosa and the Southern Islands, adding: “It is really great to return to this playground.”
A spokeswoman for Ola Beach Club at Siloso Beach said the club’s restaurants saw less than half the usual number of patrons while water activities were suspended.
The club, which also rents out water sports equipment, had been looking forward to normal activities resuming.
“Hopefully, from today, with the big announcement, business can pick up again,” said the spokeswoman.
The Wings Of Time, a land-based show with water, laser and fire effects, was closed during the cleanup until July 23.
Serin Phay, director of operations and asset development at the Mount Faber Leisure Group which runs the attraction, said ticket sales for the performance are now at around 80 per cent of what they were before the suspension in June.
She expects a full recovery in September with more tourists visiting Sentosa.
With Siloso Beach’s full reopening, businesses close to it are eager to welcome visitors with promotions.
These include deals for tickets to the Wings Of Time attraction and offers at various food and beverage establishments. - The Straits Times/ANN
