A 57-year-old man drowned when the boat he was in capsized while returning from Kusu Island at about 8.15pm on Thursday.

Eleven other members of his family were also on the boat.

Police said the boat encountered problems on its way to Loyang and sank about four nautical miles off Marina South Pier.

Eight passengers were rescued by the Coast Guard, while four others were picked up by two passing craft.

The man was pronounced dead at about 9.10pm. The rest were conveyed to the Singapore General Hospital.

- CNA/cl