Singapore Bank Run

It was mentioned in a previous post that my funds had been severely depleted in Manila. Although I was not initially aware of there being a source of cash on the Singapore base, through some extraordinary means my SUPPO did manage to work out the logistics of resupplying Disbursing with cash. This was a really painful process, that I still shutter to think about.

First of all, I set some strict requirements before I would get the amount of cash that was required. I needed secure transport from one base to another, that meant armed security through Singapore. I also needed to set up a place to count the funds and contact information for the bank. Considering those requirements, I honestly did not think I would be able to obtain the funds. This was where the nightmare would begin.

Coordinating a time that would work for both me and the Disbursing Office on base was not going well. One of the last mornings in port, I was attending a conference on humanitarian disasters and relief. I was enjoying the conference since I played a significant role during Tomadachi with evacuation efforts. It was interesting to investigate the various problems and solutions of the last few major disasters. My SUPPO tapped me on the shoulder and pulled me out of the conference room.

Evidently he had worked out a last minute deal with the base Disbursing Office but I had to leave as soon as possible. I was already late by the time I got back to the ship. I needed to find an escort from the ship and then jump in the CO's sedan to leave base. After dropping us off outside of base, we waved down a taxi and rode out to the American base. I got drilled for being late, not really my fault, but oh well. I counted the funds and then asked who would be providing an armed escort back to the ship. Evidently the guards present during my count were only there to deliver the funds to that location. That eventually got worked out with a call to base security.

Here is where things got really interesting and confusing. Since personal from my ship were not allowed to carry weapons off ship, I needed other arrangements. After coming out of the Disbursing Office, I was directed to an armored vehicle, basically the same type that makes cash deliveries to banks. I was wondering if I needed to find a pair of handcuffs to attach my money bag to my wrist. The armored truck drove across Singapore and parked just outside of the Singapore base.

This caused more confusion, evidently this operation had not been successfully communicated between American and Singapore authorities. My armed escorts did not have clearance to enter the base. I was told that I would need to leave the truck and enter the base on my own. I flat out refused this offer, and said other arrangements were going to be needed. The two security forces went back and forth for a few minutes and reached an agreement. My one escort from the ship would wait at the gate while the armored truck delivered me to the ship. After the truck returned to the gate, he would be free to walk back. I took the compromise, although my shipmate was not all that happy about the prospect of walking back.

The mental picture I was getting of pulling up next to my ship in an armored truck was quickly realized. It caused some curious looks on the quarterdeck. Two armed guards escorted me up to the quarterdeck. I needed to sign a contract that they had adequately performed their duty and then was finally done. That was a rough few hours, I had to make quite a few decisions and issue orders in rapid succession. I did not feel great setting conditions for Singapore sailors. I am not sure what the chain of command would have been if it came to giving an order with three different commands involved.