Over a year after the accident, the search for answers and closure continues for the family of Mohd Yunos.
The sea brings both comfort and grief to the family of Mohd Yunos Bin Abdul Hamid, a 61-year-old Singaporean who went missing after a boat collision near Pulau Hantu in March 2024. Despite extensive search efforts, Yunos has never been found, leaving his loved ones grappling with uncertainty.
Tragedy Strikes During a Fishing Trip
Yunos, described by his granddaughter Yanti as the “heart of the family”, was on a fishing trip when two pleasure crafts collided off Pulau Hantu at around 1:30 p.m. on March 2, 2024. The impact threw five passengers overboard; four were rescued, while Yunos never resurfaced.
Immediate Search Efforts
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) immediately deployed patrol crafts and coordinated with the Police Coast Guard and the Singapore Civil Defence Force to search the surrounding waters. Navigational alerts were issued to nearby vessels to keep a lookout. Despite these efforts, the search yielded no results.
Family’s Personal Search
Two weeks later, Yunos’s family visited Pulau Hantu themselves, hoping to find any clue or to feel closer to him. “We went there to feel closure,” Yanti recalled, sharing how the sea has since become their place of mourning and remembrance.
Holding On to Hope
Though over a year has passed, the family continues to hope for answers. Yanti has even searched online for reports of unidentified bodies. While they have accepted the likelihood of his passing, she said, “Even though it seems impossible – it’s a tiny possibility that still feels possible.”
Witness Accounts of the Collision
Eyewitnesses described one boat “speeding” out of a lagoon before colliding with the fishing vessel. Four passengers surfaced—one limping and another concussed—while Yunos vanished beneath the waves. Authorities arrived roughly 10 minutes later to assist.
A Painful Wait for Closure
The family’s search for truth and closure underscores the lingering trauma caused by maritime accidents. For Yunos’s loved ones, every visit to the sea is both a tribute and a reminder of the unanswered questions surrounding his disappearance.
The Pulau Hantu incident highlights the enduring pain of unresolved maritime tragedies. While search operations ended long ago, the family’s emotional journey continues, reflecting the need for ongoing support for victims’ families and stricter maritime safety measures.
Sources: Motheship (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: Pulau Hantu, Boat Collision Singapore, Missing Fisherman, MPA Search Efforts, Mohd Yunos
