Diver dies after getting entangled with boat propeller; MOM investigating
The 22-year-old worker had been performing hull cleaning works for a ship at the eastern anchorage off East Coast.
A screengrab of a video sent to CNA shows the authorities responding to the incident at the eastern anchorage off East Coast on Jun 18, 2024.
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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday (Jun 19) said that it is investigating a fatal workplace accident in which a diver died after becoming entangled with a boat propeller.
The incident took place at about 2.10pm on Tuesday at the eastern anchorage off East Coast.
"A 22-year-old Malaysian worker was performing hull cleaning works for a ship when he got entangled with one of the propellers of the supporting dive boat," the ministry said in response to CNA queries.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it received a call for assistance at about 2.15pm.
The worker was then taken to Singapore General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
In a separate statement, the police said based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected and that investigations are ongoing.
As a general safety measure, MOM noted that established commercial diving procedures such as surface-supplied diving equipment 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. Recreational SCUBA must not be used for commercial diving operations."
CNA has contacted the worker's employer, Dive-Marine Services, for more information. The Manpower Ministry has ordered the company to stop all diving activities.
Editor's note: The location of the workplace accident in this article has been amended after the Ministry of Manpower issued a correction.
