Singapore River's diesel bumboats go green
SINGAPORE: An icon at the historically-important Singapore
River has undergone a transformation.
The bumboats there have gone green! The last of the 10
diesel-powered bumboats were replaced with electric-powered vessels
last weekend.
This is to ensure that the water quality will remain good,
as the Marina Basin will be turned into a freshwater reservoir when
the Marina Barrage is completed.
Bumboats have been plying the Singapore River for
decades.
At first, they were used to ferry goods to warehouses and
then over the past 20 years, they have been carrying
people.
The smell and noise of the diesel engines have been part
of the experience for the people taking the bumboats.
Ryden Fang, Singapore River Cruises & Leisure's
director, said: "What people usually comment is: it's very noisy,
the diesel's smelly. But now, I really miss the smell a lot...
because we try to maintain as much flavour of the old boat as
possible, we actually designed and built the new bumboats according
to the old bumboats but in a bigger version."
At the succession ceremony, Ah Gu - a boatman for 30 years
- handed over the kerosene navigation light from the old diesel
bumboats to the new electric bumboats.
Then it was time for the diesel boats to make their final
journey along the Singapore River. On board were 80 senior citizens
from Chinatown Kreta Ayer Senior Activity Club.
The Singapore River Cruises & Leisure is willing to
donate the old boats to corporations and institutions which are
interested in showcasing the bumboats for heritage preservation and
educational purposes. - CNA/ir
saw the news on tv last night.
i miss the "bop bop bop bop bop feeling of teh engine
vibration