THE family of drowned Singapore Management University sailor Levin Angsana may still have been grappling with their grief, but they were determined to make sure that no other family should have to suffer a similar loss.
"We don't want to see another Levin, we don't want another person to die like that. People have to be responsible for their own lives and not be overly-reliant on the system", said Levin's 20-year-old sister Hannah.
It was all too clear outside the courtroom yesterday, that six months on, the family were still reeling from the shock of their loss. The State Coroner had found the death to be accidental.
Their only comfort was in the hope that their son would not have died in vain - if his death could be held up to other students and parents as an example of how accidents happen and safety should not be taken for granted.
Said Levin's 56-year-old father Mr Heryadi Angsana: “We have lost our son, it’s difficult for us to accept. We don’t want such accidents to happen to other parents.”
He pointed out that, with the sailing club's membership at 60 and counting, it was imperative that both students and parents be aware of the necessary safety precautions. He also emphasised that it was important for students to take care of each other while out at sea.
Speaking to Levin's parents, I was both moved and filled with admiration that, amidst their grief, they were still determined to make sure that no parent would have to go through what they had to. And I wondered how many of us would have been able to display such strength when faced with a tragedy such as theirs.
Levin was clearly a son his parents were proud of. A folder that Mr Angsana keeps with him is chock-full of photos of Levin, the first issue of Prism, the SMU School of Information Systems newsletter that Levin was chief editor of, as well as doodles taken from his notebook. In his wallet is also a tattered namecard, belonging to his only son.
The 22-year-old always shared his greatest achievements with his family, with whom he was close. Though his parents were based in Brunei, they made it a point to communicate via phone or online chat at least once a week.
Said his mother, 48-year-old Madam Chatelia Jap. “He had such a spirit of excellence. He wouldn’t tell us what he was doing until he had achieved his goal. Then he would show it to us."
Levin had been planning to take up swimming lessons as he was a weak swimmer but had not the opportunity as the lessons often clashed with his classes.
Both mother and father had been planning to move to Singapore in the near future to be 'reunited with the family'. That plan has not changed though it has been pushed forward.
Mrs Angsana said that they will move here this year to be with their children, as Levin's ashes have been scattered in Singapore waters since he "loved Singapore and he loved sailing". On special occasions like Christmas and New Year, the family take a boat out to the site where he died to scatter flowers there.
Last August, the family even accompanied some sailors out to sea during a charity regatta race to experience first-hand the sport that Levin loved so much, and dedicated endless hours of training to.
That must hit the heart spot on.