The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) mobilised more than 300 personnel from nine agencies on Wednesday morning to simulate a ferry rescue exercise in Singapore's southern waters.

The scenario saw a fire 'break out' in a ferry's engine room as it was carrying 100 passengers from Kusu Island toward the mainland. There were several 'injured' crew and passengers, while others jumped into the sea to escape.

In a statement issued after the exercise, MPA's assistant chief executive for operations M Segar said that the annual exercise was part of "on-going efforts to validate and update (their) emergency preparedness plans and operations".

"This morning's exercise tested the activation and notification process, and the handling of mass casualties, two critical components in the event of any ferry mishaps in our port waters," he added. The Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Police Force, Ministry of Health, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Polytechnic, PSA Corporation, People's Association, and the Ministry of Transport also participated in the exercise.