Justin has been an SMOU member for nine years since his polytechnic days—even before he set sail for the first time. “My dad was a member and urged me to join too,” he recalls. 

What began as a family connection soon grew into a personal calling. During COVID, when SMOU reached out to check on seafarers, Justin found himself inspired by their care and commitment. That experience sparked his desire to be more involved and to understand how the union worked hand in hand with those at sea. 

“The real benefit of being more involved was the people I met—connections I wouldn’t have forged otherwise,” he says. “It’s given me so much insight into the maritime industry, not just from a seafarer’s point of view. Meeting people who walked the same path showed me what the future could look like.” 

Now serving as a General Council Member, Justin is determined to give back to the community that always supported him. “If I had to sum up what SMOU means to me in one word, it would be connectivity,” he says. “And as I grow older and take on management and training roles, I’ve come to see the importance of legacy, of grooming and guiding the younger generation to find their own path.”