S$1,500 fine for skipper who thrice steered boat into Southern Island Live Firing Area

SINGAPORE — A 44-year-old man was fined S$1,500 on Tuesday (Feb 11) for entering a restricted military firing ground in his boat on three occasions.

Yong Tien Kit, who was the owner and skipper of Singapore-registered pleasure craft Soledad, pleaded guilty to one charge under Rule 6(1) of the Military Manoeuvres (Firing Grounds) Rules. Another two such charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.

TODAY understands that this is the first time someone has been prosecuted under that law, which states that no unauthorised person can enter or remain within any firing ground.

The court heard that at about 6pm on Aug 21 last year, a Police Coast Guard officer detected Yong’s boat within a live firing area. A patrol boat was immediately sent to investigate the matter.

Investigations revealed that Yong was on his way back to the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, located along West Coast Ferry Road, when he decided to take a shortcut by steering his boat across the Southern Island Live Firing Area.

He did so by navigating between Pulau Biola and Raffles Lighthouse.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Suhas Malhotra told the court: “The accused knew that he was entering the Southern Island Live Firing Area, but did so anyway as it was a shorter route to reach his destination.” 

Court documents showed that Yong had committed the offence earlier — on Feb 4 and May 18 last year — on the same boat.

Yong said in mitigation that he regretted his actions.

He could have been fined up to S$2,000, jailed up to six months, or both.