National Day Parade 2020: Final Sea Review rehearsal off Marina South

The National Day Parade 2020 Sail Past held its fourth and final rehearsal this morning off Marina South amid bouts of heavy rain that came and went sporadically.

It was a pleasure seeing familiar silhouettes of Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) surface combatants appear in between numerous anchored merchant ships as they led the Sail Past columns westward towards the Eastern Anchorage. The columns - one of nine larger ships and a smaller "speedster column" of four small fast craft - then made two starboard turns to point their bows east.

Here's the 1300H to 1330H rehearsal as it unfolded. This was the only one I could catch during the lunch break.

The tank landing ship RSS Endeavour (210) and stealth frigate (FFS) Steadfast (70) at the second turn point.

Ensigns unfurled, the Singapore Navy LST Endeavour, FFS Steadfast, Missile Corvette Valour and Littoral Mission Vessel Fearless align themselves parallel to Marina South.

Endeavour looked dapper with her crew on deck. Looks abit naked with all those empty davits and no helo on deck. Here's what her sistership, Resolution, looks like crammed to the gills with FCEP landing craft.

Steadfast with crew on deck in their Number 1 ceremonial whites.

Valour's crew presented a smart turnout with a large number of them lining her rails. Probably the best looking dressed ship in the column. Compare and contrast the rather sparse headcount aboard Fearless (probably a result of high levels of automation).

Along the way, Fearless was joined by a little friend. Barely visible from shore. No photoshop. She blended so nicely with the waves. Can you spot her?

National Day Parade Sail Past 2020

Source: MAphotoSG Facebook

The fourth final National Day Parade 2020 Sail Past rehearsal is due to take place from 0900H to 1400H in the Eastern Anchorage, just off the Marina Barrage. Nearest MRT: Marina South Pier.

Three previous rehearsals were done in June. These involved 12 ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Singapore Police Coast Guard and Maritime & Port Authority.

Participating vessels were observed sailing line astern in two separate columns. 

Composition of the main body:

Endurance-class LST, Formidable-class stealth frigate, Victory-class missile corvette, Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel, plus PCG PH-class, 1xSCDF and 2xMPA.

Speedster column was made up of four small craft from the Navy, PCG and SCDF.

The NDP 2020 Sail Past will be telecast as part of the morning segment of this year's parade to mark Singapore's 55th year of independence.

Public Service Announcement: National Day Parade 2020 Mobile Column

Some of you have asked about tomorrow's National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal at the Padang.

Just to be clear and manage expectations on the Mobile Column: There will be NO A-VEHICLES AT THE PADANG. Due to COVID-19, the training format for this year's Mobile Column is different from last year's NDP. So don't expect to see the form-up point near the F1 Pit Building and along Nicoll Highway crammed to the gills with AFVs. In short, there's no Mobile Column at the Padang tomorrow.

The contingents that will be reviewed at the Padang will also be much smaller.

Security personnel will be on hand to manage crowds. Please be mindful of social distancing rules during Circuit Breaker Phase 2. Better still, wait for the NDP 2020 Mobile Column to come to you in the heartlands. Will update once details are available.

There will be some flying by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in the morning. Expect to see F-15SGs buzz the heartlands at low level - as some of you witnessed during the RSAF Internal Rehearsal recently. Thank you 142 SQN for the hard work behind-the-scenes.

Will be watching from home.
Stay Safe.


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NDP 2020 RSAF Internal Rehearsal. Click here