One of the quiet privileges of living at the confluence of the Thames and the now-vanished City Canal is one can watch the constant flow of maritime world streaming past Canary Wharf from the comfort of one’s sitting room. From my window, I’ve watched an eclectic parade of vessels glide by—modest riverboats, majestic tall ships, gleaming superyachts belonging to billionaires like Tim Cook, and even royal yachts graced by the Queen of England or the Queen of Denmark. Occasionally, naval ships from around the world sail in on courtesy visits, offering a quiet nod to London’s enduring maritime legacy.
Most of these maritime guests slip in and out quietly, like a midnight breeze slinking past the reeds. They remain elusively aloof and inaccessible, docked behind security perimeters and closed to the public—their stories left to the imagination.
But one recent visitor broke the pattern.
Moored at South Dock a few days ago was RSS Formidable, a sleek, stealth-class frigate and the pride of the Republic of Singapore Navy. This wasn’t just another naval courtesy call—it was a symbolic gesture on the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, complete with a rare invitation to the public. And when a modern Asian frigate opens its doors in London, visiting becomes something of a pilgrimage. I’m glad to report the journey was well worth the effort.
From a distance, we could already sense Singapore’s quiet discipline at work. Two long lines of people—mostly Singaporeans living in London, many married into British families, others in close-knit Singaporean units—stood patiently, smiling, without the need for barriers or loud instructions. I had never imagined so many Singaporeans in London. Their calm presence and good-humoured organisation were a gentle reminder of their homeland’s DNA.
Singaporean naval personnel—young, smartly dressed, and endlessly courteous—were stationed at every step. After a brief security check and identification, we were ushered into a covered gazebo-like waiting area on the jetty. There, rows of chairs and a large screen welcomed us. A safety video played, followed by a live briefing. Then came a moment that struck a deep chord.
“When you are on a Singapore-flagged vessel,” the officer said, “you are on Singapore soil. And since you could not visit Singapore, Singapore has come to you. So, enjoy your visit to Singapore.”
That line unlocked something deep within me.
Suddenly, I was transported back to 1973—my first visit to Singapore. I remembered stepping off at Clifford Pier, changing money at Change Alley, sipping tea in open-air coffee shops, and walking wide-eyed down Orchard Road, thrilled by its shimmer and shine. And who could forget Serangoon Road, where I gorged on South Indian delicacies—dosas, idlis, sambar—served on banana leaves and eaten with youthful gusto? All of it came rushing back, like a cinematic montage stitched together by memory and longing.
Soon, our turn came. Four at a time, we were called to the gangway—its load carefully monitored—and welcomed aboard by smiling young sailors. We moved through the open deck area, past missile launchers, and up to the command bridge. From there, a battery of modern missiles pointed silently forward, and behind them, a lone Singapore flag fluttered—against the glass towers of London’s financial district. The contrast was poetic. Singapore’s quiet power standing before the world’s loudest marketplace.
After soaking in the view and the stories within it, we were gently led down into the vessel—through a long alleyway, the spotless galley, and the pristine crew messroom. At one point, I asked my guide if I could see the engine room.
“Oh really? You’re a marine engineer?” he asked, intrigued. “Then maybe you could teach us something.”
He paused for a moment and opened a hatch. “This isn’t open to the public,” he said with a grin, “but it’s okay for you to take a look.”
I peered down into the well-lit belly of the ship. A warm, familiar breath of diesel-laced engine room air rose up to meet me—one I had breathed for most of my life. It brought back decades of memories in a single moment. That scent alone was enough. I didn’t want to go further, out of respect. I thanked him for the kind offer and stepped back.
The visit wrapped up soon after, but Singapore had one last gesture. As we disembarked, we were handed a bag of goodies—a simple but thoughtful parting gift. The crew at the gangway—still smiling—waved us off.
As I walked home, clutching my bag of goodies, I couldn’t help thinking of spotless machinery, the immaculate decks, the unfailing warmth of the people on board, and the effortless dignity with which everything had been conducted. And in that bag of goodies, it wasn’t the value of the items that mattered. It was the embodiment of Singapore’s enviable success mantra—a demonstration of true patriotism and the seamless partnership between public and private sectors. In that ship, I saw a mirror of Singapore itself—spotlessly clean, efficient, well-organised, and deeply respectful.
That, I thought, is the secret to Singapore’s success: a culture of thoughtful leadership, gracious hospitality, and relentless excellence.
Thank you, Singapore, for bringing a piece of yourself to us. You haven’t just built a navy—you’ve built a nation that carries its soul across the seas.
Bon voyage as you sail away in a couple of days.
Fair winds and following seas!
Discipline and patriotism. Looks like missing from Indian dictionary.
PS well written article and conveys your inner feelings and may God bless you with a long long happy healthy life.
We need to see more nuggets flowing from your pen.
You got that right, Mahendra 🙂
Thank you. I am glad you liked the article. A few more in the pipeline. I hope you’ll like them too.
All the best!
A well written article, describes Sjingapore exactly the way it is.
A tiny red dot on the world map, we experienced the same discipline from the public and smiles from the election officials when we went to cast our votes during the election last week.
Thanks, Rajan. I am glad you liked the article. It’s means a lot coming from a Singaporean. Have a great day ahead.