During the cleanup on Sisters’ Islands in February 2024, 68kg of marine litter was collected.
This initiative is part of the Division’s broader efforts to preserve the marine environment and foster community responsibility within its ranks.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Marine Division — renowned for its emergency response capabilities within Singapore’s territorial waters — is also dedicated to environmental preservation through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
In collaboration with the National Parks Board (NParks), officers from the Division recently conducted coastal cleanups on St John’s Island and Sisters’ Islands. These activities mark significant steps in the team’s CSR journey and underscore its commitment to safeguarding Singapore’s offshore environment.
CPT Dan Lee, a Community & Corporate Officer, shares: “Since initiating our partnership with NParks in 2022, we have undertaken two major coastal cleanups. These are now an annual commitment, primarily focused on Sisters’ Islands, which we have proudly adopted.”
The cleanup efforts have yielded significant results: In September 2022, the team collected 28kg of marine litter along Bendera Bay on St John’s Island. More recently, in February 2024, a substantial 68kg of marine debris was removed from Sisters’ Islands.
The litter collected during the cleanups were sorted into categories and weighed for data collection purposes. This effort is part of a larger data collection initiative spearheaded by the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore. Data from these cleanups help researchers to understand the source and impact of marine litter, so that they can address environmental challenges with targeted measures.
LTC Ling Meng Hong, Head of Personnel, elaborates on the dual role of the Division in maritime emergency response and environmental conservation. “Our primary responsibility is to manage maritime incidents within our waters,” he says, adding that this often involves conducting drills and exercises on the offshore islands.
“Coastal cleanups are our way of not only protecting the diverse marine wildlife on Singapore’s offshore islands, but also fostering a strong community and environmental consciousness within our organisation,” he explains.
LTC Ling Meng Hong (third from right) with other officers from SCDF Marine Division departing for Sisters’ Islands.
Furthermore, disposal of the collected waste poses logistical challenges. “We cannot simply dispose of the large quantities of litter on the mainland. Proper planning is essential, and we have to arrange transportation to designated waste disposal locations,” he says.
CPT Poh Leong Kiat, the Operations Planning Officer, shared another initiative under the Division, known as the Marine Animal Watch Group. This programme involves observing and recording marine wildlife sightings during operational drills. He says: “These observations are then shared with NParks to support their research and monitoring efforts on marine species such as dolphins, turtles, dugongs, whales and jellyfish.”
When asked how these sightings influence his personal motivations to participate in environmental cleanups, CPT Poh expressed a deepened commitment. “Seeing these large marine animals and other beautiful coral reef fishes along the remote islands spurs us to keep our waters and marine ecosystem as clean as it should be, in order for marine wildlife to thrive,” he elaborates.
CPT Poh (second from right) with the team at Bendera Bay, St John’s Island.
Ms Trina Chooi, a Personnel Officer, highlighted the concerning amounts of marine litter — particularly plastics — collected during these cleanup efforts. Among the most common items were plastic bottles, alongside other pollutants such as Styrofoam, shampoo bottles, slippers, glass bottles and aluminum cans.
“Wind and rain can sweep them into the sea, endangering marine species that ingest the waste or get entangled in them,” she shares. “The breakdown of plastics also releases harmful chemicals into the marine ecosystem.”
Ms Trina Chooi (front row, third from left) at Bendera Bay, St John’s Island.
Ms Chooi’s perspective on environmental protection has evolved significantly since her involvement in coastal cleanups. She was struck by the sheer volume of litter deposited on the shores, far exceeding her initial expectations. “Even though Bandera Bay and Big Sister’s Island were closed to the public during our visits, we still managed to collect nearly 100kg of litter from both islands,” she notes. “This shows the pervasive problem of pollution and serves as a crucial reminder of the planet’s need for the three Rs — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”
LCP Ahmad Shadiqin, an Operations Assistant and a full-time National Serviceman, had a particularly memorable experience during a cleanup at Sisters’ Islands. “It was a first-time experience for me to volunteer for a coastal cleanup, and doing so as a representative of the SCDF Marine Division made it even more special. It was here that we discovered unusual debris, such as a damaged lifebuoy and discarded soft toys,” he recalls.
LCP Ahmad Shadiqin, in action during the coastal cleanup at Sisters’ Islands.
The stark visibility of marine litter and debris deeply affected him, reshaping his view on the human impact on nature. “Seeing the amount of marine litter being washed up and swept onto the shore struck me on how all these were the result of human actions, and also the immense follow-up effort required to keep our beaches and shorelines clean,” he explains. This revelation has not only heightened his appreciation for nature, but also strengthened his resolve to contribute positively.
These cleanup activities reinforce the SCDF officers’ strong environmental ethos and their unwavering dedication to creating safer habitats for marine wildlife.
The Marine Division’s engagement in these cleanups showcases how environmental responsibility can be seamlessly integrated with the organisation’s core values of Pride and Care. By actively participating in these cleanups, the Division not only saves lives at sea but also champions the cause for a cleaner and greener Singapore.
*This story has been adapted from an article that was originally published in SCDF’s digital magazine, Rescue995.
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