Singapore Sail Trainee Drowns - no lifejacket

by Earth Times/Sail-World Cruising on 6 Jul 2008 Police have found the body of a sailing trainee on Saturday who fell off a boat without a life jacket into choppy seas off Singapore two days ago.

University student Levin Angsana, a permanent Singapore resident originally from Indonesia, fell into the water on Thursday while trying to retrieve the 24-foot-long keel boat's spinnaker sail.

The sail was hooked under the boat, crewmates said.

Angsana lost his balance and fell overboard, they said. His attempt to climb into the vessel was unsuccessful.

There were several life jackets on board, but Angsana was not wearing one.

His body was discovered off Raffles Marina.

Ten boats from the Police Coast Guard and Navy divers had searched for the 22-year-old information systems student from Singapore Management University.

The incident reignited debate in Singapore over whether those taking part in watersports should wear life jackets. Five of Singapore's national rowers died during last November's dragon boat races in Cambodia. They too were not wearing jackets.

'Water has no mercy,' said National Water Safety Council chairman Teo Ho Pin.

Angsana took up sailing last year and joined the school team.

Students were out in three boats on Thursday, preparing for the Western Circuit Sailing Regatta in August. Angsana had four crewmates.

The incident took place as the boat was heading back to the Raffles Marina following a three-hour training session.