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SINGAPORE: A 22-year-old undergraduate from the Singapore Management University is still missing in the waters off Raffles Marina, at Tuas in western Singapore.
Levin Angsana was with four others on board a 24-foot keel boat when he fell into the sea. The search for him is still underway.
It was a routine training session for the team of five who set off from Raffles Marina at about 1pm on Thursday. The crew, including skipper and ex-national sailor Renfred Tay, were heading back at about 3pm when tragedy struck.
According to one crew member, Levin was at the front of the boat trying to bring down the spinnaker - a sail which catches the wind. In the process, the spinnaker got hooked under the boat and Levin got down to a prone position to release it. That is when he lost his balance and fell into the sea.
He was not wearing a life jacket. Levin then tried to climb back into the boat but was unsuccessful.
Renfred Tay then jumped in and caught hold of Levin.
Life jackets were thrown into the water, and it was when Renfred turned away to grab a life jacket that Levin disappeared.
Professor Howard Hunter, President, Singapore Management University, said: "We have a whole team that has been out here since yesterday afternoon working with the Raffles Marina and the MPA. We've been with family members since the first time they were notified yesterday."
Levin's parents flew in from Brunei on Friday, but were too distraught to speak to the media. After a short debrief, they were brought out to sea in the hopes of finding their son.
Weather conditions on Thursday was said to be windy, with waters slightly choppy, but perfect conditions for sailing.
Sailing mate, Koh Zi Yi said: "He's quite a good sailor and he's quite proficient in his duties on board."
The university said Levin and the team have been training since May for a regatta to be held in September. Levin also put in extra hours because he wanted to take on the role of skipper.
Singapore's maritime authorities are also working with its Malaysian counterpart in the search operations.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) said it is saddened by the accident in the waters off Tuas. However, it added that for keel boat sailors, there is no real need for them to wear life jackets unless there are strong wind conditions and treacherous waters.
The SSF said all rules and regulations related to sailing follow those from the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). According to the ISAF, keel boat sailors do not need to wear life jackets while training or even racing.
Low Teo Ping, President, Singapore Sailing Federation, said: "Having said that, if there is a requirement on the part of the officials who determine that the wind conditions are such - either too heavy seas or the wind conditions are too strong - then it may be a requirement by flying a flag that requires everyone in the keel boat to then wear a life vest."
Mr Low said during training, it is up to the skipper of the boat to decide if a life jacket is needed to be worn by everyone on board. He added that sailors are usually well trained in rescue techniques as well.
The SSF said keel boats are safe and that this was a rare incident. It also said that it is very unlikely the rules on life jackets will change. -CNA/vm/ls
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