p. 3; Tan, J., & Quek, C. (2008, July 15). “Safety Inquiry Reveals Factors That Led To Dragon Boat Incident”. During a press conference on 30 May 2008, the panel concluded their findings and presented certain lapses as well as recommendations they had regarding the incident. Dragon boat tragedy: Victims’ families seek apology. (2007, November 25). The second and third bodies retrieved were identified to be Jeremy Goh Tze Xiong and Stephen Loh Soon Ann. Tan, J., & Quek, C. (2007, November 27). (2007, November 26). The bodies of the casualties, their family members, and the surviving rowers were then dispatched on a C130 plane back to Singapore.[21]. Lack of water safety awareness contributed to accident. [13] The search party consisted of volunteers comprising of local fishermen, divers, navy sailors and the police. For team sports, the development of the team for extended durations is important and the team needs to be exposed to high-level competitions on a consistent basis. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.15. The police boats present at the scene were only able to rescue 17 of the team Singapore rowers, while 5 rowers remained missing. Tragedy in China- 17 Killed in Dragon Boat Accident. The dragon boat then capsizedand killed six of the eighteen paddlers, including a teacher and several students. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.25. Arshad, Arlina. Neo, C. C. (2008, July 15). Hopefully this could open more racing opportunities between SG … Loh, Sharon. Cambodia’s Water Festival regarded as top attraction. No dragon boat races abroad yet for national team, The information in this article is valid as at. [12] The Cambodian authorities then organised a search party consisting of more than 200 people to search for the 5 missing Singaporeans, who were sitting at the front of the boat when it capsized. (2010, November 6). [2] The Tonle Sap river in Cambodia can be translated to mean “great lake” or “large river”, and is 100 kilometres wide, and 250 kilometres long. More importantly, the SDBA should also set guidelines and SOPs for overseas events so that thorough preparations can take place. The 2010 Penang dragon boat tragedy (Chinese: 钟灵龙舟翻覆) was an incident that occurred on 17 January 2010 in Penang, Malaysia. Traditional dragon boat racing, in China, coincides with the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month (varying from late May to June on the modern Gregorian Calendar). To Singapore Dragon Boat Association, for working hard to make sure we still get to do the sport we all love, despite the circumstances. (2008, June 4). A further 2km south from the Singapore team’s launching point, in the main gallery in front of the Royal Palace, Nhim Vanda was enjoying a vantage view of the boat races when word of … It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Five others came close to drowning too. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.31. “Memorial for S’pore dragon boat paddlers”. Quek, Carolyn. “‘We will remember forever’: Inside the search for Singapore’s drowned dragonboaters”. 4. Kallang River On the weekends, you can watch the training of dragon boat clubs on the bank of the Kallang River. This collision had caused their entire craft to sink into the water. The side of their boat had also hit a tugboat docked near the pontoon. Assess risks before saying ‘yes’. A Sunday of sorrow and tears for family members. Relatives ask: What happened on the river? The Straits Times, p. 59. (2008, May 31). To our coach Wee Jin Tan, for planning training in ways unimaginable. Subject Dragon boat teams ‘warned’ of strong currents at pontoon. (2007, November 26). Tan, J., & Liaw, W. (2007, November 25). 2. He recalls that fateful Friday evening of November 23rd, 2007. The Straits Times, p. 59. [6] They practised paddling in the river for 20 to 30 minutes while wearing life jackets but later decided to forego the life jackets for the race as it inhibited their movements and may affect their performance. Team had a ‘bad feeling’ on currents. c/o Sport Singapore, 3 Stadium Drive, #01-33 Singapore 397630 18. (2008, May 31). Later, they decided against wearing life jackets for the race. SINGAPORE DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION. [24] The bursary fund was officially launched on 15 October 2008, during the annual NTU Sports Appreciation Night. However, the briefing had been carried out in Khmer, the local language. Five men are missing after the incident, all members of the new national dragon boat team that was formed about a … 16.Hasnita A. Majid. The inquiry did not identify the absence of life jackets as a cause of the tragedy. Arlina Arshad. The coach of the ill-fated team, Nasiman Karim, was of the view that life jackets would have been more of a hindrance in the Tonle Sap mishap. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.28. Arlina Arshad. Quek, C., & Sloan, B. [Press release]. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: 17. [27] The panel was tasked to review the 23 November 2007 incident, investigating the root cause of the incident as well as identifying any safety lapses which may have been overlooked. Each year, the bursary fund would allocate S$4,000 each to two members of the NTU dragon boat team who are in need of financial assistance. (2008, May 31). Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA), Sport Singapore, 3 Stadium Drive, #01-33, Singapore 397630. (2008, June 4). Dragon boat teams from all over the world participate in the annual Singapore Dragon Boat Race here. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.2. Bodies of dragon boat paddlers recovered. The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) on Wednesday expressed their condolences to the families of the seven paddlers who died after their dragon boat capsized during training in Boracay. The SDBA and its affiliates should put in place a proper system in preparation for races. THE DRAGONBOAT TRAGEDY. The Singapore Dragon Boat community will come together to remember the five national dragon boaters who lost their lives in a tragic accident in Cambodia two years ago. The Straits Times, p. 3. The Straits Times, p. 1. - On behalf of the IDBF Council and of the dragon boat communit Arlina Arshad. Five missing S’pore rowers feared dead. (2007, November 26). The Straits Times, p. 59. Strangers join family and friends to say goodbye. No single factor responsible for dragon boat tragedy. The Straits Times, p. 1; Lee, H. C., & Jaganathan, J. Quek, C., Sloan, B., & Liaw, W. (2007, November 27). It recommended that Singapore’s dragon boat teams only compete in events that comply with IDBF standards; if events do not follow IDBF guidelines, the SDBA would assess the risks before deciding on participation. 29. Quek, C., & Sloan, B. , p. 26; Loh, S., Tan. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.11. 2007 Singapore dragonboat tragedy: The accident 18 Nov 2017 07:00AM (Updated: 07 Nov 2020 07:52PM ) A decade ago, 22 Singaporeans competed in … Read: My first-person account. (2007, November 28). “Unprepared! 200 search for missing rowers. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.16.Hasnita A. Majid. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.5. Channel NewsAsia. Local rescue efforts. The fund dispenses two S$4,000 bursaries each year to NTU dragon boat team members who require financial assistance.21Safety reviewOn 28 November 2007, the Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) declared that life jackets would be mandatory for all Singapore dragon boaters, and that the regulation would extend to their participation in overseas races.22Some, however, questioned whether wearing a safety jacket would have helped prevent the tragedy.23 The coach of the ill-fated team, Nasiman Karim, was of the view that life jackets would have been more of a hindrance in the Tonle Sap mishap. The Straits Times, p. 44. The Straits Times, p. 1. However, the families of the five paddlers who perished sought an apology from the SBDA for not enforcing the use of life jackets and to bear responsibility for the factors that contributed to the tragedy. The mishap caused several members of the dragon boat team to give up the sport competitively. The Straits Times, p. 3. The panel concluded that the Cambodian organisers had not adhered to the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) guidelines. Bodies of dragon boat paddlers recovered. After a concerted effort led by the SDBA and its affiliates to recruit members of high potential in 2008, the national dragon boat team was revitalised for competition.35AuthorTerence FooReferences1. Teh, J. L. (2007, December 5). (2007, November 28). Retrieved from NewspaperSG.34. Quek, C., Sloan, B., & Liaw, W. (2007, November 27). (2007, November 27). To our coach Wee Jin Tan, for planning training in ways unimaginable. Arshad, Arlina. Lee, H. C., & Jaganathan, J. [16] The body was identified to be Chee Wei Cheng, and was retrieved at 8.00am. The Straits Times, p. 2. The Straits Times, p. 59. , p. 1; Lee, H. C., & Jaganathan, J. The writer for the site is Justin Ong, a CNA journalist who was also one of the paddlers in the boat that capsized on 23 November 2007. Kor, Kian Beng. Assess risks before saying ‘yes’. (2007, November 27). “NTU dragon boat team raises $125,000 for bursary fund”. As the team approached the pontoon which marked their docking point, their boat suddenly collided sideways with the pontoon due to a strong wave (CNA YouTube video). (2007, November 29). (2007, November 27). Lee, H. C., & Jaganathan, J. By having this plan and an annual competitive schedule, the team will know well in advance how to train and prepare for events. (2007, November 25). Retrieved from NewspaperSG.35. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/29. The Straits Times, p. 26. The Dragonboat teambuilding is a program that allows participants to be familiarized with operating the Dragon boat & to make dragon boating the go-to team building activity in Singapore at dbi.com.sg Retrieved from NewspaperSG.26. The incident involved the Chung Ling High School dragon boat club, where eighteen paddlers took part in dragon boat training at Penang Strait. Age-old tradition lives on in modern Singapore with the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday with apocryphal origins dating back to China’s Warring States era. The Straits Times, p. 1. Five ordinary men, an extraordinary legacy. The team was unfamiliar with the conditions of the race, the site of the race and the equipment provided for them to race with. THE Singapore National Dragon Boat Team that lost five rowers in last November's Cambodian race said the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh was the 'most difficult' they had ever encountered. Tan, J., & Liaw, W. (2007, November 25). (2008, May 31). Tan, J., & Liaw, W. (2007, November 25). Exhilarating and versatile Dragon Boat singapore experience Suitable for both Kids & Adults Promote learning outcomes such as leadership, communication, team work & school values Learning & Bonding through the power of fun & play Able to organise event for both small groups (15 pax) & larger groups (100 to Unlimited pax!) The summer solstice occurs around 21 June and is the reason why Chinese refer to their festival as "Duan Wu" or "Duen Ng". No single factor responsible for dragon boat tragedy. Dragon boat races and dumplings—two of the most distinctive elements of the festival — … These included the team’s lack of preparation before the race, thus the unfamiliarity with the Tonle Sap river currents and the layout of the dock; insufficient practice with the Cambodian traditional boat used for the race, which was different from the boat typically used by the paddlers; and the team’s lack of established safety procedures such as safety briefings and drills for contingencies in the water. No single factor responsible for dragon boat tragedy. Lee, H. C., & Jaganathan, J. Tan, J., & Sloan, B. , p. 1. Lee, H. C., & Jaganathan, J. (2008, May 31). The site consists of 4 chapters, which narrate different parts of the incident, complete with illustrations. Please contact the Library for further resources on the topic. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.32. Tan, Judith. Channel NewsAsia. If what she says is true, the authorities and rescue services should seriously look into their response times – especially the helicopter and marine (including divers) search-and-rescue teams. He felt that the presence of life jackets would have made it harder for the paddlers trapped under the pontoon to descend to greater depths where they could then use the force of the stronger currents there to swim out from under the pontoon and reach the surface.24A safety inquiry panel was set up on 4 December 2007 to investigate the deaths of the five paddlers and to conceive measures that would help prevent a recurrence of such incidents.25 The panel was chaired by Brigadier-General Bernard Tan Kok Kiang and included a senior counsel, a sports doctor and members of a sports safety committee.26Following the investigation, the panel issued a report on 30 May 2008, which concluded that a combination of factors was responsible for the tragedy.27 These included the team’s lack of preparation before the race, thus the unfamiliarity with the Tonle Sap river currents and the layout of the dock; insufficient practice with the Cambodian traditional boat used for the race, which was different from the boat typically used by the paddlers; and the team’s lack of established safety procedures such as safety briefings and drills for contingencies in the water.28The panel concluded that the Cambodian organisers had not adhered to the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) guidelines.29 It recommended that Singapore’s dragon boat teams only compete in events that comply with IDBF standards; if events do not follow IDBF guidelines, the SDBA would assess the risks before deciding on participation.30The inquiry did not identify the absence of life jackets as a cause of the tragedy.31 However, the families of the five paddlers who perished sought an apology from the SBDA for not enforcing the use of life jackets and to bear responsibility for the factors that contributed to the tragedy.32 The SBDA declined to assume responsibility for the mishap, and cited the findings of the inquiry panel as exonerating them from any fault.33Legacy of the tragedyThe SDBA did not field a team in any major dragon boating tournament in 2008. Some, however, questioned whether wearing a safety jacket would have helped prevent the tragedy. and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. The Straits Times, p. 4. Still coming to terms with the dragon boat tragedy in Penang. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.10. Quek, C., & Sloan, B. 1. Arshad, Arlina. At around noon, the family members of 3 of the victims held Taoist rites for the victims as well. It was attended by the victims’ friends and families as well as members of the public. Claimed as the world’s largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer took two-and-a-half years to build following its ... Singapore’s women’s table tennis team comprising Li Jiawei, Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu fought a series of tough battles ... John Martin, born John Martin Scripps, was the first Westerner hanged in Singapore for murder on 19 April 1996. The Straits Times, p. 44. The SDBA did not field a team in any major dragon boating tournament in 2008. The Straits Times, p. 38. [7], After they had completed the race, the Singapore team was initially in a safety vessel which was supposed to bring them back to the docking point. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Singapore Sports Council. (2008, May 31). Singapore's women table tennis players win Olympic silver. He recounts the incident in his writing. Earlier that day, in the morning of Nov 23, 2007, the Singapore national dragonboat team arrived for the first time at the venue for the ASEAN-Cambodia Traditional Boat Race in Phnom Penh. Quek, C., & Sloan, B. All 3 bodies were found buried under the mud of the riverbed and had to be dredged up. To our steers, thank you for giving your time to the team. (2007, November 29). The Straits Times, p. 29; Sloan, B. The Straits Times, p. 2; Relatives ask: What happened on the river? Ong, Justin. [17] The last two bodies to surface were identified as Poh Boon San and Reuben Kee En Rui. (2007, November 27). 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