The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)'s new marine command headquarters at Brani Finger Pier will be ready by the end of this year.

The specialist unit, which oversees and carries out fire fighting and rescue at sea, will also have a new fire station, Brani Marine Fire Station, at its new Brani base. Currently, SCDF has an existing base at West Coast Pier.

In addition to the new headquarters, SCDF will be beefing up its fleet. It is bringing in five new vessels by 2015, including a boat which can evacuate 300 people at any one time during a mass casualty evacuation. There are currently two marine fire vessels with firefighting equipment.

Guest of honour Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mr S. Iswaran said at the groundbreaking of the headquarters on Tuesday morning: "This move strengthened its position as a national emergency service provider, as it expanded SCDF's coverage to both land and sea operations."