Tower Transit mourns employee after fatal collision off Singapore’s Southern Islands
A boat collision off Singapore’s Southern Islands has ended in tragedy after a body believed to be that of a missing man was found in Indonesian waters days after the accident.
Body Found After Days of Search
A body believed to be that of a man missing since March 27 was found floating off Karimun in Indonesian waters, southwest of Singapore. Singapore police said on April 5 that Indonesian authorities had alerted them on March 30 at about 3 p.m. to the recovery. The deceased is believed to be one of three people who had been on board a pleasure craft that collided with a supply vessel at about 4.15 a.m. on March 27.
Victim Identified as Tower Transit Employee
The victim was identified as Mr Chua Muhammad Syafidi, a 37-year-old engineering supervisor with Tower Transit Singapore. In a Facebook tribute, the bus operator said he had spent 10 years with the company and had risen from vehicle technician to engineering supervisor. Tower Transit described him as a talented and creative engineer who loved learning and had recently completed a part-time diploma in operations and engineering management ahead of his graduation ceremony scheduled for May 5.
Colleagues Remember His Legacy
Tower Transit said Syafidi’s most visible legacy was a life-size replica bus he built from scratch, now displayed in the lobby of Bulim Bus Depot. But the company said he would be remembered even more for his kindness, willingness to help colleagues, and constant smile. About 100 Tower Transit employees attended his funeral on April 5, underscoring the impact he had on those around him.
Arrest Made in Ongoing Investigation
Police said a 49-year-old man has been arrested for rash navigation of a vessel in connection with the collision. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the exact circumstances of the crash. Maritime and Port Authority statements on the day of the incident said the other two people on board the pleasure craft were rescued, while everyone on the supply vessel was accounted for and no injuries were reported there.
Maritime Safety Back in Focus
The case has again drawn attention to maritime safety in waters around Singapore, one of the world’s busiest shipping zones. Even though rescue efforts were launched quickly after the March 27 collision, the discovery of the missing man in Indonesian waters highlights how cross-border currents and regional sea routes can complicate searches after marine accidents.
The death of Syafidi turns a marine accident into a deeply personal loss for family, friends, and coworkers. For Singaporeans, it is a sobering reminder of the risks present even in nearby waters and the need for strong maritime safety enforcement. For Indonesians, the recovery of the body in Karimun also shows how closely linked the two countries are when emergencies unfold at sea, requiring coordination across borders during search and investigation efforts.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Mothership (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Boat Collision, Southern Islands, Chua Muhammad Syafidi, Tower Transit, Karimun Waters, Rash Navigation, Maritime Accident
