The family of Singaporean diving instructor Robert Tan Soon Liang has accepted his death after he disappeared during a diving expedition in Palau, saying they have found some peace in knowing that the ocean he loved became his final resting place.
Tan, 62, and Chinese national Xiaoxi Wu, 43, went missing on Sept 7 while diving at Peleliu Wall, an advanced dive site known for strong and unpredictable currents. A five-day search involving Palauan authorities, Peleliu state rangers, the US Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center in Guam and private boat operators ended on Sept 11 without either diver being recovered.
Tan was an exceptionally experienced diver. He began diving in 1994, held an Instructor Certifier qualification with Scuba Schools International and had logged more than 5,100 dives. He was also a former Republic of Singapore Air Force helicopter pilot and flight instructor, according to his family.
According to a statement from his family, the two divers were nearing the end of their dive when the guide noticed that they were descending rapidly instead of making their planned ascent for a safety stop. The guide attempted to reach them but had to turn back at around 40 metres because of the depth and safety limits.
The family said the area where the divers disappeared reaches depths of between 300m and 500m. Given the conditions, the passage of time and the dangers involved, they decided against attempting a deep-water recovery operation.
“Instead, we have chosen to let Dad rest peacefully in the ocean he loved,” the family said, asking the public not to speculate about the incident or circulate unverified information.
The family also said Tan had always expressed a deep connection to the sea and had once said that when his time came, he wanted to return to the ocean. They said this belief has helped them cope with the tragedy.
Tributes have since poured in from members of Singapore’s diving community, who remembered Tan as a respected instructor, passionate diver and generous mentor. Fellow divers described him as someone who readily shared his experience and helped others both in and out of the water.
Tan’s disappearance has also drawn attention to the risks involved in advanced diving. Peleliu Wall is regarded as one of Palau’s challenging dive locations because of its depth and currents, despite the country’s reputation as a major destination for experienced divers.
A memorial service for Tan will be held from Sept 25 to 27 at Youngberg Terrace in Singapore. His family said the gathering will remember his life, his flying career, his passion for diving and the many people he touched.
For those who knew him, Robert Tan’s story is now less about the mystery surrounding his disappearance and more about a life spent exploring, teaching and sharing his love for the ocean — the place his family says he ultimately wanted to call home.
