SCDF to hold ceremonial funeral for CPT Kenneth Tay who died in battling ship fire

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said with the family’s agreement, they will conduct a ceremonial funeral to honour Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin, who tragically lost his life battling a ship fire on Thursday (16 May) morning.

In a Thursday evening statement, SCDF confirmed CPT Kenneth Tay’s unfortunate demise during firefighting operations aboard the China-flagged tanker, Sheng Hang Hua 6, anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage in southwest Singapore.

SCDF expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their colleague, CPT Kenneth Tay.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, and are providing them with our fullest support.”

In a gesture of condolence, SCDF changed its profile picture to grey, expressing collective grief over the passing of their esteemed colleague.

Singaporeans expressed heartfelt condolences, mourning the loss of a fellow son of Singapore, and offering sympathy to the family of the late CPT Kenneth Tay.

At 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, SCDF was alerted to a fire on board the tanker. Firefighters rushed from West Coast Marine Fire Station to tackle the fire incident at about 1.15 am.

During the firefighting operation, the 30-year-old was in the “smoke-logged” engine room with another firefighter at about 3:30 a.m., both wearing personal protective equipment.

While one firefighter aimed his water jet at the fire source, CPT Kenneth scanned for hot spots with a thermal imager. Post-incident analysis of body-worn camera footage revealed CPT Kenneth’s distress around 3:53 a.m.

After CPT Tay failed to respond, a firefighter searched for him. Another team found him unconscious at 4:00 a.m.

SCDF statement noted that CPT Kenneth was conscious but unwell, prompting the immediate evacuation. However, he lost consciousness while being transported to the open deck on a stretcher.

CPR was administered on the deck and throughout the evacuation to Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal via an SCDF vessel.

Upon arrival at the terminal, an ambulance received CPT Tay at 5:28 a.m., with CPR efforts continuing en route to the National University Hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

SCDF: CPT Kenneth Tay excelled in fitness and proficiency tests

According to the SCDF statement, CPT Kenneth Tay joined SCDF as a regular officer in December 2017, completing training in the Rota Commander Course (RCC) and serving as a rota commander until November 2020.

He then became a Public Education Officer. Expressing interest in marine firefighting, he completed the Marine Firefighting Specialist Course in May 2022 and was posted as a Marine Rota Commander in January 2023.

Throughout his training, he excelled, achieving top scores in fitness and proficiency tests.

SCDF said during RCC, CPT Kenneth attained ‘Gold’ standard for his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), and an ‘A’ in Breathing Apparatus Proficiency Test (BAPT).

SCDF emphasized the crucial role of Rota Commanders in emergency response, highlighting the rigorous training all frontline officers undergo at the Civil Defence Academy and Home Team Tactical Centre.

SCDF added: “SCDF officers, like CPT Kenneth, put their lives on the line each time they enter the scene of a fire, in order to save others.”

All the 19 crew members of the vessel were safely accounted for in the incident, said SCDF.