Lessons Galore Onboard - SeaVoices - Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) Publication

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08 Oct 2019

3 mins

Lessons Galore Onboard

For the past 23 months, eight engine cadets from the first Cohort of the Tripartite Engineering Training Award (TETA) programme have worked under six shipping companies. Now in in their third and final phase, it was thus most timely, that the cadets had the opportunity and occasion to enhance their skills and find a platform to reflect on their sailing experiences at the Learning Journey onboard Genting Dream.

Technical Training

Cadets learned about refrigeration and steering gear from Mr Daniel Lim, lecturer at WMI. The lessons were interactive in nature with group discussions, and cadets were given an assignment based on the lesson taught.

Sharing Sessions

Cadets gained practical insights from veterans who had been there, and done that. Capt Lee Sang Chiat (WMI General Manager) inspired them to stay the course as he did, drawing upon his experiences surviving his cadet days. Mr Lim Tau Kok (WMI Advisor) shared on the importance of mental health awareness, supportive conversations, and channels of help. Although each cadet has to chart his own path, hearing first-hand from veterans helped them anticipate challenges and to be prepared. They had a go at case studies, and Mr Lim guided them to arrive at solutions and possibilities.

Fireside Chat

Cadets shared about their TETA journey, and what happened during the sea time they served during Phase 2 training. More than a show-and-tell, their sharing, replete with photos and videos, were exchanges of information on overcoming challenges.

SMOU General Secretary Mary Liew and Emeritus General Secretary Thomas Tay assured the cadets that SMOU will continue to support and work together with them in their journey. ‘Caring and Sharing’, the cadets learned, are the core values they would do well to practice throughout their seafaring career.

“I was so close to giving up two months into the sea training. But giving up is not an option. I toughened up. If I was unsure about my work, I would ask. I chose my attitude – to look at difficulties squarely in the face, to make the best of each learning opportunity, and to adapt. There were some memorable team moments working with a multi-national crew. It felt like a family. ”

– MOHAMED REZA SUHAIDI BIN RAZALI SAILED WITH AP MOLLER SINGAPORE PTE LTD (MAERSK)

“A memorable moment for me was witnessing the process of dry docking. My lowest point? Homesickness. Working with a multi-national crew has also taught me how to communicate better in order to work well as a team. ”

– EE ZHANG CHUAN SILAED WITH OCEAN TANKERS