The parents of 15-year-old Jenna Chan have filed a negligence lawsuit against St. Joseph's Institution International Ltd. The legal action follows a fatal snorkelling accident in the Maldives in November 2024 during a mandatory school trip.
The Fatal Propeller Strike in the South Ari Marine Protected Area
Jenna Chan, a Grade 9 student who aspired to be a doctor, was participating in a week-long expedition to assist the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP). According to the report, the tragedy occurred in the South Ari Marine Protected Area when Jenna entered the water and was struck by the rotating propeller on the underside of the vessel. She was pronounced dead at the Dhigurah Health Centre at 10:30 am local time, shortly after the incident.
The lawsuit, filed by Jennifer Liauw and Alan Chan in the General Division of the High Court of Singapore, alleges that the incident was entirely preventable. The parents claim that the boat's engine remained engaged while students were in the water, and that the three MWSRP guides had abandoned the vessel to investigate a dolphin, leaving the students unattended during a high-risk activity.
Missing Propeller Guards and the Lack of Emergency Oxygen
A central pillar of the negligence claim involves the equipment and safety protocols aboard the vessel. The parents of Jenna Chan allege that the boat was not fitted with a propeller guard, despite the well-documented risks associated with such injuries in marine tourism. furthermore, as reported, the vessel lacked basic emergency contact signage and procedures to guide the crew during a crisis.
The claim further highlights a critical failure in medical preparedness . The vessel reportedly did not carry adequate first aid or trauma response equipment, including emergency oxygen.. According to the report, life-saving oxygen had to be obtained from a neighbouring diving boat after the accident had already occurred, suggesting a systemic failure in the safety requirements demanded by St.. Joseph's Institution International Ltd (SJII) for its vendors.
A Pattern of Marine Fatalities and the Vetting of MWSRP
The legal action argues that St. Joseph's Institution International Ltd failed in its basic duty of care by not properly vetting the Maldives as a destination . The Statement of Claim points to a documented pattern of marine tourism fatalities in those specific waters, including a similar fatal propeller incident that occurred just one year prior to Jenna Chan's death.
This case reflects a growing tension in international education where "experiential learning" is integrated into the curriculum. Because this trip was a mandatory requirement for promotion to the next academic year, the school's liability is heightened.. The parents contend that SJII failed to ensure that the UK-registered charity, MWSRP, was a qualified vendor capable of managing the safety of school-aged children in a remote marine environment.
The Role of the Maldives Coast Guard and Emergency Response
Significant questions remain regarding the immediate aftermath of the strike. The parents allege that the MWSRP guides and boat crew failed to contact essential emergency services, such as the Maldives Coast Guard or sea ambulance services, which could have exepdited Jenna's transfer to a hospital.
While the lawsuit outlines these failures, it remains unclear what specific safety certifications MWSRP held at the time of the contract. Additionally, the report does not include a response from St. Joseph's Institution International Ltd or the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, leaving their version of the supervision timeline and the boat's equipment status unverified.
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