SINGAPORE — More than S$40,000 has been raised for the widow of commercial diver Jake Seet, whose body was recovered on Monday (May 7) after he went missing on Saturday.

On Tuesday, an ex-commercial diver kicked off a campaign to raise funds for Seet's two young sons, aged three and six, and his widow, who is expecting their third child.

Mr Pang Khee Wee, who started the fundraising campaign on Tuesday, aims to raise some S$300,000 in about three months.

Writing on crowdfunding website Give.asia, Mr Pang said he hopes to raise an amount for the family of a "fellow diver" to give them a home, and to "show the children that their father can still care for them even though he is not around".

He also hopes to "raise awareness of underwater safety in Singapore".

It is not known if Mr Pang and Seet were acquainted.

In a video on the crowdfunding page, Mr Pang said: "Being myself ex-commercial diver, I also lost a diver buddy 10 years ago in a similar incident, I understand what the family is going through, and will go through."

TODAY has reached out to Mr Pang.

Speaking to TODAY, Ms Jacqueline Seet Ai Chen, sister of the 33-year-old deceased diver, said the family was touched by the outpouring of support, which has seen S$40,000 raised in 24 hours.

All proceeds will go straight to Mrs Seet's bank account, said the 37-year-old food and beverage manager.

Adding that the couple's "long awaited" Build-To-Order flat will be ready next year, Ms Seet said not only does her sister in law have to take care of the two boys and the baby "due next month", but she will also need to continue to work to support herself and the kids.

The first priority for the donations, she shared, would be to use them for the children's school fees, as well as infant care costs.

"Of course, if possible, she will want a place to call her home, which she has waited so long with my late brother and the kids," she added.

While Ms Seet said she did not know Mr Pang personally, her guess is he could be a friend, and is grateful for his help.

"I sincerely thank all who (helped), be it in donations or standing by (his widow) … and those who even come down to the wake to pay their respects to my late brother.

"He is so well loved by everyone … I see his primary school mates, his friends during teenage years, his campmates, his football friends, and his diving friends … coming from different places to pay their last respects," Ms Seet added.

Her brother, a commercial diver for Mola Subsea Services, a Tuas-based company that does underwater ship repair and maintenance services, was declared missing on Saturday.

He was last known to be conducting underwater operations for the vessel Jork at the Western Anchorage near Sentosa.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Monday that it deployed two MPA and two Police Coast Guard craft to the scene for search-and-rescue operations after it was alerted to the incident around 2.40pm on Saturday.

The police are investigating the unnatural death.