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Captain Thani remembers these words by heart. How could he not? Life has tested him, not once, but many times. The words come from a teacher at the Wavelink Maritime Institute, someone who he looks up to as mentor and father figure.
One of those tests came on his maiden voyage as a Captain. Setting out from Auckland with a deck full of logs, everything seemed routine until around midnight when the weather turned. Captain Thani discovered that the logs were rolling dangerously across the deck. The winds were so fierce that the lashings had failed, leaving the cargo unstable. In a moment of high-stakes decision-making, he made the call to steer the ship back to Auckland. They waited out the storm, setting off again six hours later when the weather had calmed.
To his crew, he was the embodiment of authority—poised, composed, and fully in command. But in that critical moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind. A judgment call had to be made, weighing the risks and trade-offs carefully.
Another significant test came in 2021. He found himself having to decide between the two loves of his life. “Prolonged time away at sea wasn’t ideal. My kids need me; they are at critical stages – starting school and adapting to a new life in Singapore. I want to be there for them.” It wasn’t an easy decision for Captain Thani, who had reached the pinnacle of his career becoming a Ship Master at PIL in 2020. He chose family over seafaring and stepped ashore. Life, after all, involves trade-offs and the constant act of balancing priorities.
Now, at 40, he can fully experience fatherhood while still working in an industry where his skills are relevant. He is a Marine Superintendent at Eastaway Ship Management. Transitioning from sea to shore came with its own set of challenges. The responsibilities on a ship are vastly different from those on land, and adjusting to this new role wasn’t easy. But with his characteristic optimism, he takes it all in stride. “How bad can it go?” he says with a smile.
It was the same optimism, in his youth, that had lifted him out of a rut. After National Service, he became a sales engineer. He felt stuck doing the same thing and not getting anywhere. In search of a change, seafaring popped up on his radar. The Tripartite Nautical Training Award (TNTA) programme, with its well-charted career progression path, caught his attention. It promised not just a job, but an adventure—one that would push him to his limits. He knew he needed something that would provide a challenge, in his words, “something that I would have to fight with my life.”
When he enrolled in 2009, a sense of validation descended upon him. “This is what I wanted, and this is where I belong,” he recalls the thoughts that filled him then. Although a “latecomer” (he enrolled only at 27), Captain Thani did more than just play catch-up. He became the first from TNTA to attain COC1. Photographs of him looking immaculate in his uniform, and interviews with him have been featured in newsletters and videos. For the boy who had always been fascinated with uniformed professions, joining their ranks wasn’t just a dream realised—it was transformation completed.
Captain Thani’s experiences at sea were filled with insights and anecdotes on human-to-human interaction. Having sailed with individuals from all walks of life, he prides himself on getting along well with everyone. For him, creating a harmonious environment starts with a shared understanding that “once you’re on board, you’re a seaman first and foremost, adhering to a universal set of ethos that apply to all.” With that established, he demonstrates it is possible for cultural exchange to occur and enrich life onboard. “Whenever there were Chinese crew members on board, we made dumplings! I love dumplings!” he exclaims, with a genuine enthusiasm that speaks to his appreciation for cultural exchange and the dish itself.
No conversation with seafarers is complete without asking them about their fond memories and favourite ports. Captain Thani counts California, Melbourne, and Auckland among his favourites, offering a gateway to sightseeing opportunities that don’t come by often. But a particular moment of pure magic – one where the sea, the ship, and the celebrations all came together in perfect harmony – would go down as one of his fondest memories. It was New Year’s Eve when his ship docked. The reception he received was unforgettable. “The crew and I, we were treated to food and drinks,” he recalls, “and then we witnessed a spectacular performance of fireworks lighting up the night sky. Those fireworks were the cargo we had delivered in good time and condition.”
When asked about persevering in a seafaring career, his advice is both practical and inspiring. “Stay the course,” he urges, emphasising the importance of dedicating time to acquire the skills and expertise necessary to truly contribute to the maritime industry. Captain Thani spent 12 years in all.
He reminds aspiring seafarers that while the journey may be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding. “When you rise through the ranks to become a Captain or Chief Engineer, you’ll find that your options expand. If that day comes and you can’t answer the call of the sea for whatever reasons, there are plenty of interesting shore jobs awaiting you.” But he doesn’t sugarcoat the reality; every mariner must navigate the delicate balance between career and family. “You’ll have to make your own decisions,” he says, reflecting the personal nature of such choices.
For those considering joining Tripartite Maritime Training Award (TMTA), “You won’t be disappointed,” he assures.
Being a part of the maritime industry means playing a vital role in moving global trade, which he believes is one of the most meaningful careers one can pursue. Automated vessels will not make seafarers redundant. “The sea is unpredictable, and no amount of technology can replace the experience and intuition that seasoned seafarers bring onboard.
“We may need to adapt by gaining new skills to work alongside these advanced systems, focusing more on oversight and technical expertise,” he explains.
The future of seafaring, in his view, will see a shift in what it means to be a seafarer, but it will always be a career with the human element at its core. So, let’s invest in self-improvements and be ready for life’s next test.
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