Siloso Beach reopens for swimming, sea activities after oil spill clean-up

SINGAPORE: Siloso Beach has reopened for water activities, the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Saturday (Aug 3).

The announcement came one-and-a-half months ahead of an expected three-month timeline needed for oil spill clean-up operations.

The oil spill in June had temporarily halted water activities on Sentosa and Southern Islands beaches.

After an extensive oil spill clean-up operation, Siloso Beach is ready to welcome visitors again for swimming and all sea activities, SDC said in a media release.

Beachfront businesses along the shores of Siloso Beach are also fully operational, it added.

The earlier completion of the operation and reopening of Siloso Beach was due to "concerted efforts" and a "comprehensive response towards the oil spill".

SDC said that it had coordinated the clean-up effort involving over 300 trained workers in collaboration with oil spill response specialists.

Meanwhile, Sentosa's Palawan and Tanjong beaches will reopen by mid-August.

PREPARING FOR REOPENING

To prepare Siloso Beach for its reopening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has been regularly monitoring the water quality at the beach, said SDC.

The water quality has returned to normal levels, it added.

SDC and the Public Hygiene Council also organised volunteer clean-up sessions to assist with removing tar balls and marine debris from Siloso Beach in the lead-up to the reopening, read the media release.

Close to 450 participants came together across six sessions to restore Sentosa's shores, noted SDC.

The participants were from Sentosa's Sentosa Islander loyalty programme, NEA, the Singapore Environment Council, the Singapore Canoe Federation, the Singapore Paddle Club, Sport Singapore, the Public Hygiene Council, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

SDC staff and Sentosa Cove residents also participated in the clean-up sessions.

"Siloso Beach's reopening reflects the success of our clean-up efforts, led by government agencies, supported by employees, specialists, contractors and volunteers," said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

"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," she added.

"This accelerated progress is testament to the tireless efforts of our specialised workers and dedicated volunteers," said Ms Thien Kwee Eng, SDC's chief executive officer.

OTHER SENTOSA BEACHES

Clean-up operations at Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach are in their final phase and are targeted to be completed by mid-August, said SDC.

"The waters at these beaches will reopen for water activities once the water quality returns to normal levels," it added.

To encourage environmental stewardship from communities, "SELF 365" cleaning kiosks will be made available from Saturday "to provide the public with suitable tools and equipment to participate in ground-up cleaning efforts".

This initiative is open to both locals and international visitors and represents a form of regenerative tourism, said SDC.

SDC also noted that the clean-up operation at Lazarus Island's Eagle Bay Beach is progressing well and is targeted to be completed before mid-August.

"Visitors will soon be able to enjoy water activities provided by Lazarus Sea Sports Centre," it added.