Search off Sentosa shores for missing teen

Straits Times 26 Jun 10;

A MASSIVE search operation involving the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Police Coast Guard and navy was being conducted off Sentosa late last night, after a teenager went missing while swimming.

The 18-year-old had been swimming off Siloso Beach with six friends when he disappeared under the water at around 8pm.

He was last seen about 20m to 30m from shore. The spot where he disappeared is believed to be near a lifeguard's watchtower.

Whether there was a lifeguard on duty at the time when the teenager disappeared from view and what happened in the water are both unclear.

The stretch of beach where the authorities are searching has been temporarily closed to the public.

The spot where the teenager was last seen is just in front of Wave House, a popular attraction which allows people to surf on fake waves.

Last night, divers from the SCDF's Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team and the Republic of Singapore Navy were combing an area equivalent to 11/2 football fields. At least two Police Coast Guard patrol vessels were also deployed.

The safety of Sentosa's beaches came under scrutiny in 2005, after five people drowned off Siloso Beach.

Its beach patrol staff now hand out brochures with safety tips, while posters are put up around its beaches.

Beach patrol officers also monitor the water conditions throughout the day, check tide tables and test the waters by swimming in them.

JERMYN CHOW

Body of drowned teen found
Kimberly Spykerman Straits Times 27 Jun 10;

The body of a teenager who went missing while swimming off Sentosa was recovered yesterday.

Divers from the Naval Diving Unit found 18-year-old Muhammad Ridzuan Jumali's body about 4m from the shore at about 4.30am.

The divers, together with the Police Coast Guard and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, had been searching the waters off Siloso Beach since he disappeared at about 8pm on Friday.

His best friend Muhammad Ricky, 17, told The Sunday Times at the dead teen's home in Kallang Bahru that the victim was part of a group of seven who had visited Sentosa.

They had arrived at the beach earlier that evening for a picnic. While eating, Mr Muhammad Ridzuan had 'one, maybe two' cans of beer, said Mr Muhammad Ricky.

He said his friend did not appear drunk before the group went swimming. Five of them clustered together while Mr Muhammad Ridzuan and another friend swam a few metres away.

It was only when Mr Muhammad Ricky heard shouts for help from the beach that he realised something was wrong. Beachgoers had been informed that the lifeguard would be off duty after 7pm.

He saw his friend's body floating about 20m away from him.

'I tried to swim towards him but the currents were very strong. I couldn't see him after a while,' he said. He suffered cuts on his hands and arms after he struck against rocks while trying to look for his friend.

Staff at the nearby Wave House, a popular attraction that allows people to surf on fake waves, called the police.

It is believed that Mr Muhammad Ridzuan was trying to swim towards a small islet less than 100m from shore when he lost his footing at the deep end and went under.

His family and friends maintained a vigil at the beach all night in the hope of getting good news.

Friends remember him as someone who loved music and would always go the extra mile for others.

Mr Muhammad Ricky said his best friend had insisted he move in with his family when the former fell out with his own family and left home.

Mr Muhammad Ridzuan, the second of four children, dropped out of ITE West earlier this year to work as a part-time waiter at a hotel, when his family ran into financial difficulties.

His 42-year-old mother works as a security guard and his 45-year-old father is an odd-job labourer. They are separated.

Said his tearful 16-year-old sister who declined to be named: 'He was a really good brother, I don't know how to express my gratitude to him.'