LIKE most tourists, they go sightseeing during the day, visiting attractions such as Sentosa and the Singapore Zoo.

And like most tourists, they go drinking at night, frequenting the pubs in Orchard Towers, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

But unlike most tourists, they have a curfew. They are from the United States Navy and usually have to return to their ships by midnight.

But a week ago, an American sailor allegedly punched a Singaporean driver at an open-air carpark near Wheelock Place. The sailor was among 6,000 personnel on board the USS Tarawa which docked here two weeks ago and left on Wednesday.

Although the commanding officer of the ship has apologised to the motorist and the sailor cannot leave Singapore pending a resolution of the case, local Internet forums have been rife with talk of the incident.

While some of the postings have been critical, pub owners interviewed said they have not had any trouble with US sailors.

At Crazy Elephant in Clarke Quay, where as many as 100 sailors gather each night when a ship is in town, bar manager Anita Lydia said they are generally well behaved.

"The only problem is that some of them like to pocket our Tiger Beer mugs and mats because they think it?s authentic to Singapore," she said with a chuckle.

Sure, there have been cases of sailors being involved in brawls after having one drink too many, but pub owners shrug them off as par for the course. Local residents get into fights, too, when they are drunk, the pub owners said.

The US Navy said there were fewer than five incidents during the more than one week period that the USS Tarawa was docked here.

Last Wednesday, a scuffle broke out at the Ministry of Sound between a sailor and a foreigner. Both had to be dragged out of the club. Eight shore guards from the Ship Liaison Group (SLG) stepped in to take the sailor away.
Hard Rock Cafe's general manager, Mr Mark Chan, recalled an incident in July where a US sailor smashed the windscreen of a car parked in the restaurant's carpark.

He was impressed with the speedy response. "The officers waited for the car owner to arrive so that they could compensate him."

The US Navy even barred its personnel from Orchard Towers for one year after what it said was a "high number of incidents involving its sailors who committed illegal activities there".

It declined to give details but said the ban was lifted two weeks ago. Sailors and Marines on board the USS Tarawa were the first US military personnel to return to Orchard Towers in a year, bringing much cheer to the pub owners there.

The owner of Downunder Bar in Orchard Towers, who wanted to be known only as Ms Rica, said: "They easily spend over $100 each on shots of B-52 and tequila and leave tips of $30 or $40."

About 150 US military ships dock in the Changi Naval Base and Sembawang Wharves each year, bringing 50,000 personnel with them.

While the ships refuel and replenish their supplies, the crew are given time off to come on land for some R&R.
But it is not all fun and games. The US is a pivotal player in the balance of power in this region.

Dr Bernard Loo, a specialist in defence studies at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, said: "It's part of military diplomacy. It's a reflection of the good ties between Singapore and America. By calling at our ports, the US is showing its interest and commitment to this region."

The port calls are estimated to pump over $30 million into Singapore's economy every year, said a spokesman for the US Navy's Logistics Group Western Pacific.

Port calls typically stretch over five to six days. The sailors have to observe a curfew with lower- ranking personnel having to return by midnight. Senior officers get till 2am and some can spend the night on shore.

Before they leave their ship, the sailors are briefed on Singapore's laws and customs. Specifically, they are warned of the ramifications of molesting a woman, possessing weapons, drug offences and shoplifting.

The US Navy also bans its men from visiting the red-light district of Geylang.

Shore guards are stationed at places where the sailors like to gather to make sure things do not get out of hand.
The Sunday Times understands there were at least 40 such guards patrolling the nightspots when the USS Tarawa was in town.

The US Navy also organises about 70 programmes a year for sailors to interact with the local community.
Last week, crew members cleaned up Pulau Ubin and took 30 abused and neglected children from the Sunbeam Place to tour the Singapore Science Centre.

Some sailors spend as much as $500 a day on shopping, food and transport when they are in town. They snap up electronic goods such as iPods and cameras and buy souvenirs such as Merlion figurines for their families.

A huge chunk of their money goes to drinking. Pub owners in Orchard Towers and Clarke Quay said these sailors spend as much as $400 per person.

"They have been on the ships for months, so they just booze all the way," said operations manager Harry Abdullah of Mama's Caribbean Bar at Clarke Quay.

As early as 5pm, the sailors start streaming into the pubs and restaurants. In groups of three to five, they order jugs of beer, topped off with shots.

Mr Zulhaili Mohammed, a supervisor of The Bungy Bar at Clarke Quay, said: "Even for cocktails such as Singapore Sling, they don?t sip, they go bottoms-up."

Pubs rush to stock up their alcohol whenever they hear a US Navy ship is in town. Mama's Caribbean Bar increases its beer order from 10 barrels to almost 30.

It is worth it, though. Besides having the stomach for alcohol, they are also known to be generous tippers.
Pub waiters told The Sunday Times that tips of $10 to $20 are the norm. Some sailors even give $100.

The women also like meeting these sailors. A regular patron at Orchard Towers said about one out of every three sailors leaves with girls in tow.

These call-girls - usually from Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines - charge them above the market rate.

Sailors who spoke to The Sunday Times said they are aware that some local people regard them as troublemakers. But they said incidents such as the recent punch-up are rare.

One female shore guard said: "It can happen to anybody, not just sailors."

A limo taxi driver, who wanted to be known only as Mr Wong, said he avoids sailors even though they tip well.
He had a bad experience once when four of them hurled vulgarities at one another throughout the ride to Sembawang Wharves. One later threw up in his cab.

"I am scared of what they might do when they are drunk and rowdy. I don't want any problems with them," he said.

Some pub owners screen American sailors to keep out the rowdy ones.

Attica in Clarke Quay admits only US Navy officers - not junior-ranking members - into the pub.

"They are better behaved and more disciplined," the club's managing director, Mr Mikey M.S., said.