Diver, 22, dies after getting entangled with boat propeller while cleaning ship’s hull
A 22-year-old Malaysian diver died on June 18 after he got entangled with a boat propeller while cleaning a ship’s hull at an anchorage off East Coast.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for assistance at 31 Marina Coastal Drive at around 2.15pm on June 18.
The diver was caught in one of the propellers of the supporting dive boat, said a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) spokesman in response to queries from The Straits Times.
The man, who was employed by Dive-Marine Services, was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he died of his injuries, the spokesman added.
MOM is investigating the incident and has instructed the company to stop all diving activities.
The police said the diver was unconscious when taken to hospital, and based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected.
In its statement, the ministry said established commercial diving procedures using surface-supplied diving equipment (SSDE) or commercial self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (CSCUBA) must be adhered to.
“Such equipment and apparatus facilitate coordination and communication between divers and supervisors during operations,” it said. “Recreational self-contained underwater breathing apparatus must not be used for commercial diving operations.”
It is unclear if the man was hired as a commercial diver.
Mr Abdul Malik Mohamed Abdul Kadir, former chairman of the Commercial Diving Association (Singapore), or CDAS, told ST that it is crucial for commercial divers to be wearing the right equipment, as it protects them from potential dangers underwater.
“Both the SSDE and CSCUBA come with a voice communication system for the diver to maintain contact with those on the surface, and a rope, or lifeline, to prevent the diver from being swept away by strong currents,” he said.
“While the SSDE supplies the diver with air from the surface, the CSCUBA comes with compressed air tanks (a main tank and a backup) that the diver carries underwater.”
Mr Malik added that recreational diving equipment comes with only one air tank and has no communication system or lifeline.
“Even with a buddy looking out for you, recreational equipment cannot be used for commercial diving, as there are insufficient safety measures if something bad happens,” he said.
CDAS states on its website that commercial divers must be at least 18 years old, have a current commercial diving “fit to dive” medical certificate from a hyperbaric and diving medical specialist registered in Singapore, and a certificate of training in commercial diving recognised by MOM.
Correction note: In an earlier version of this story, it was reported that the diver got entangled with a boat propeller at an anchorage at Marina South Pier. The Ministry of Manpower has since clarified that the anchorage is off East Coast.
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