This was on Straits Times. A particular Jason Toh wrote in to complaint about him being given the run around when he attempted to launch his own inflatable kayak at MacRitchie. Anyone encountered this before?
Dec 17, 2009
Family's kayaking dreams drifting in red tape
ARMED with a newly bought inflatable kayak and life vests, I mobilised my wife and two children and took them to one of our lovely reservoirs, MacRitchie, early one Saturday morning, on Dec 5. The idea was to get the kids to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate nature while getting some exercise by teaching them to kayak.
We spent about 15 minutes inflating the kayak and just as we placed it on the placid water at the pontoon, we heard an authoritative voice boom out: 'Do you have a permit?' On my knees, I turned my head up to see an angry woman glaring down at us as though we had been caught committing a grave offence.
Meekly, I asked: 'Do we need one, ma'am?' She replied: 'Of course! You cannot just bring your own kayak and start kayaking here you know? You need a permit. Give me your particulars.'
So even before our kayak could get wet, it was deflated together with our enthusiasm. So much for a nice morning of exercise and fun at the reservoir.
Undeterred even after getting 'booked', I promised my kids I would get a permit even if it killed me. So I started exploring the PUB website for kayaking and called the PUB hotline to ask about Bedok reservoir. The officer told me I needed to contact the People's Association (PA). I told her it did not make sense to me but I would try anyway. She said: 'Well, call us back if they refer you back to us.' So I did and sure enough, the PA told me it was under PUB.
Further exploration of the PUB website led me to a 'Use non-motorised vessel permit form'. However, there was no further information on where I had to submit the form, whether a fee was payable and so on. So I e-mailed the officer whose contact number was given on the website.
She answered two days later and referred me to the website and the form I had already found.
I e-mailed her further queries one week ago and since then there has been no answer. I tried calling the helpline. No answer.
Our dream of drifting leisurely on the peaceful waters of our very own reservoir has turned into a nightmare of trying to secure a permit to get our kayak wet.
Jason Toh
and PUB's reply...
Dec 21, 2009
Sorry, no water activities on one's own
PUB, the national water agency, thanks Mr Jason Toh for his feedback on kayaking at MacRitchie and Bedok reservoirs ('Family's kayaking dreams drifting in red tape', last Thursday).
Since 2005, PUB has actively promoted water activities at our reservoirs as part of our efforts to inject life and vibrancy into our reservoirs and encourage the public to bond with water.
We have worked with partners such as the People's Association (PA), Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF), Singapore Dragon Boat Association, Singapore Waterski and Wakeboard Federation, Singapore Sailing Federation as well as schools and grassroots associations to organise various water activities such as kayaking, dragon boating, rowing, wakeboarding and sailing at our water bodies.
The public can also enjoy walk-in recreational water activities at kayaking centres run by the SCF or PA at Bedok Reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir, Marina Reservoir, Jurong Lake and Lower Seletar Reservoir.
PUB works closely with the operators to ensure that water activities are conducted in a safe and proper manner. For instance, safety briefings for members of the public and checks on the conditions of life vests and kayaks are conducted by the operators.
For safety reasons, we do not permit individuals to carry out water activities on their own.
We have contacted Mr Toh and apologised for the miscommunication. PUB will continue to review the procedures and improve our service quality.
Tan Nguan Sen
Director, Catchment and Waterways
PUB, the national water agency
