Charting a New Course: Yap Cheng Hong’s Story of Resilience and Inclusion - SeaVoices - Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) Publication

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26 Sep 2024

7 mins

Charting a New Course: Yap Cheng Hong’s Story of Resilience and Inclusion

Upon graduation, he joined the financial sector. Years later, he left for the maritime sector. His family feels he has made the wrong decision, “throwing away” his youth and corporate experience for a sea career. SeaVoices asked Yap Cheng Hong, 4th Engineer and SMOU Exco member, about the turning point in his life and his views on female participation in the maritime industry.

How does one find his/her calling? How did you find yours?

Finding one’s calling in life is a discovery process, and the path can vary greatly from person to person. Self-reflection, exploration, and listening to my intuition worked for me. There were also push and pull factors at work. I was living in a rut, going through the daily grind of an unfulfilling career—a nine-to-five office job that had not particularly appealed to me. The romantic in me cried out for adventures. The vision of life at sea beckoned me to the path I needed to take. I saw in the maritime industry a chance to get out, and I grasped this lifeline with all my strength. I had a new goal, a new dream. And when I put all my heart into achieving it, good things just started to happen. I was improving—mentally, physically, and professionally. And when I saw all these positive changes, I told myself I had enough fuel to sustain me for the journey, forward and far.

You are onboard, and you are also a familiar face in the board room contributing to important decisions that impact seafarers. Among the female seafarers, what challenges have you heard/observed that they grapple with?

To the credit of my female colleagues, they have handled it well. It is not easy to be the odd one out. Often, I find myself the only Singaporean onboard so I can identify what it feels like to be in the minority. Women have to deal with preconceived notions about their professional competence and reliability. It is also common to see them being mollycoddled and relegated to “feminine jobs” such as paperwork. Like any minority groups, they face derogatory remarks and discrimination. That’s not all; there is the perennial threat of sexual harassment or assault. Even in family life, navigating gender roles is a potential landmine, as the idea of a woman travelling all over the world by herself is generally being frowned upon.

How do these challenges compare with what male seafarers go through?

We have our fair share of challenges, which women are insulated from. Every man knows that he is entirely responsible for his own well-being. There is no fairy godmother assigned to watch over your safety and well-being at work. Company policies dictate that only male seafarers are assigned to piracy/war zones. Neither does management actively push for your recruitment and promotion to show how progressive the company is. Nor do colleagues need to tiptoe around you for fear of being accused of discrimination, harassment, or hurting your feelings.

What is the situation like for women in the maritime industry compared to when you first started your career?

I haven’t been in the industry long enough to give a good assessment. I’m aware, though, of the various affirmative actions taken to boost inclusivity in the maritime workplace. Companies are more receptive to hiring female cadets while also more cognisant of the difficulties they face and willing to accommodate. Where I work, they have expanded their recruitment of female cadets to other countries beyond Singapore. There is a growing worldwide acceptance that women can do anything men can do.

Could you highlight some of the key contributions or accomplishments you've made to the industry?

Life onboard is tough. There are everyday problems requiring everyday solutions. I endeavour to solve these many perplexing issues in as efficient a way as possible and hopefully make my colleagues’ lives a little easier and happier. I am striving to become someone whom people can rely upon, to lead by example and inspire others. And through these constant efforts to make a difference, you could grow your circle of influence. Someone will actually listen when you start sharing ideas about making bigger contributions and accomplishments.

Much ink has been spilled about how men are different from women. One such book is Men are from Mars and Women from Venus. What unique qualities can each bring into leadership roles for the industry’s success?

I see the masculine and the feminine as two halves of a whole, each contributing equally in their own unique ways. Pardon me, but I have to generalise here.

Feminine strengths lie in warmth, compassion, and aesthetics. Women may excel in fostering team cohesion, resolving conflicts diplomatically, and promoting a supportive work environment.

Masculine strengths gravitate towards order, logic, and efficiency. Men may excel in providing clear direction, making tough decisions under pressure, and managing crisis situations effectively.

The astute leader supervising other leaders would do the wise thing. That is, seek to understand each of them and not be influenced by stereotypes. Only with that understanding, (s)he can optimise every strength and talent available and lead the team to success.

It is good to see female representation on SMOU exco. Traditionally the focus of the maritime sector has been on getting the job done. Emotions are secondary, if at all acknowledged. However, there is pressure for the workplace to change—the younger generation wants a workplace that offers not just the basic hygiene factors but also work-life balance, opportunities to make meaningful friendships, and an environment conducive for learning and growth. The perspectives women contribute will be increasingly valued in creating and sustaining the ideal workplace and in retaining maritime talent.

Do you have female role models in the maritime industry? If so, what lessons or insights have you gained from their experiences?

SMOU’s General Secretary Ms Mary Liew and Pacific International Lines (PIL) MPD’s Ms Tracy Gao. From them I learn that a little personal touch goes a long way. Another insight is that people tend to act out the expectations you place upon them.

With the ongoing digital transformation and technological advancements in the maritime industry, how do you see these changes impacting opportunities for female and male seafarers in leadership positions?

There are a lot of buzzwords circulating in the industry right now, such as decarbonisation, blockchain authentication, autonomous vessels, and AI. They say change is the only constant. How true this is in the maritime industry! Some changes are already underway, some are still in development, and other applications have not even been thought of. It is difficult to make predictions.

Seen from another angle, while shipping has been revolutionised multiple times over the millennia, at its core, it is still largely the same. It is easy to get caught up in the latest technology and hype and neglect our core competencies—the systems and ethos that have made us successful in the past. The ultimate challenge is to maintain a balanced keel as we navigate the present with the wisdom of the past while bracing for the future. How do we preserve our hard-won position in the world yet adapt to the changes the world throws our way? Here lies the opportunity for all aspiring industry leaders, regardless of gender, to show the way forward.