Slide, spin and stop! A new Jet Boat ride from Merlion Park is offering visitors thrills and spills on the water. Now, visitors can enjoy thrilling rides from the Merlion Park, right in the middle of the city. Singapore Jet Boats launched its Jet operations last month with boat rides that take passengers along the Marina Channel out to the East Coast, hugging the East Coast Parkway foreshore before returning to Merlion Park. The nine-metre-long Singapore Jet, which seats 23 passengers, including crew, are being showcased in Singapore for the first time. Designed and built in Australia, it goes up to speeds of 35 knots (65 km/hr) and is capable of performing fantastic sideway slides, unbelievable 270-degree spins, wild fishtails, and exhilarating powerbrake stops. In welcoming this new attraction to Singapore, Dr Chan Tat Hon, STB’s Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), said,"STB is always working towards introducing unique and exciting products to Singapore for our visitors and we are pleased to have Jet Boats here to add to our wide array of attractions. Set against the backdrop of Singapore’s towering skyscrapers at the heart of the central business district, we believe Jet Boats will make a big splash here as a Uniquely Singapore experience for both visitors and locals.” Mr Eric Linker, managing director, Singapore Jet Boats, said that the choice of Singapore as its launch pad in Asia was primarily due to the positive growth indicators for tourism in Singapore and the region. “STB and Maritime Port Authority (MPA) have been supportive and instrumental in bringing this new tourism concept to Singapore. I also offer my appreciation to the Public Utilities Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority, and Singapore Sports Council who have been working closely with us to bring the project to fruition.” Jet Boats currently operate in other dense city environments like Sydney Harbour in Australia, and Vanuatu in Fiji. “Jet Boats has been providing thrills to thousands of tourists visiting Sydney Harbour for nearly six years with an excellent safety track record,” said Mr Linker. Currently, no other vessel in Singapore is able to provide the Jet Boat experience where special manoeuvres are performed while the vessel travels at speed. The Jet Boat’s design and technical marine architecture allows it to skim across the water at fast speeds, and yet come to a complete stop in less than three boat lengths. The Jet Boat’s special bucket seats and handrails guarantee passengers remain firmly seated throughout the Jet Boat manoeuvres. The highly manoeuvrable vessel also meets all the certifications required by the MPA. It will operate from Tuesday to Sunday and will depart from the Merlion Park at One Fullerton hourly from 9.00am to 6.00pm. Tickets are priced at $50 for adults and $35 for children aged below 14 years. There is a minimum height requirement of 1.3 metres. Tickets will be on sale at the Singapore Jet counter at Merlion Park. Singapore Jet Boats Pte Ltd is locally registered and owned. The company has a wealth of experience with Lt. Gen. Winston Choo (Retd) as Senior Advisor and Brig-Gen Colin Theseira (Retd) as Chairman. The company enjoys state-of-the-art operating expertise by retaining the services of the largest jet boating operator in Australia – Oz Jetboating Co Ltd – in a joint venture agreement to ensure a quality adventure product that will be delivered in a safe and exciting manner.