SINGAPORE - A former World War II German minesweeper docked in Singapore on Tuesday (March 13) this week - not as a navy vessel, but its 33m tall reincarnation: Sailing boat Fleur de Passion.

The boat, which has undergone a series of extensive restoration, is currently on a four-year round-the-world expedition with a Swiss crew who aim to chart the impact of human activity on the oceans.