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What’s life at sea really like? For 80 students and cadets from the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) and Institute of Technical Education (ITE), the Young Mariners’ Networking 2025 was a rare chance to ‘sea’ for themselves.
Held on 12 November 2025 and jointly organised by Young SMOU (YSMOU) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), this year’s event, “Sea for Yourself: Life on Different Ships” gave young aspiring mariners a glimpse into the diverse world of seafaring.
Five maritime professionals, Allex Ang, David Martin, Ismail Sulaiman, Moe Khaine and Raphael Tay rotated between breakout groups, bringing their stories and expertise directly to the students in an intimate and interactive setting.
Marine Superintendent Allex Ang shared how he navigated a typhoon with paper charts and introduced offshore and Dynamic Positioning vessels. His stories of diverse crews and offshore sailing gave participants a glimpse into the industry’s adventurous side.
Technical Superintendent David Martin unpacked the inner workings of bulk carriers, his most interesting cargo types (like cement) and how a long port stay once led to his best shore leave in New Orleans.
First Officer Ismail Sulaiman highlighted maritime situational awareness, recalling a GPS-jamming incident that forced a return to traditional navigation. His insights into cruise-ship systems and the responsibility of protecting thousands made a powerful impact.
Master Mariner Moe Khaine brought students into the colossal world of container ships through visuals and stories that highlighted teamwork, coordination and the intricate machinery of global shipping.
Meanwhile, 3rd Assistant Engineer Raphael Tay shed light on life aboard LPG vessels, explaining their longer working hours and how the deck and engine departments collaborate to keep ships operating safely and efficiently.
Through the interactions, participants enjoyed authentic conversations and personalised advice which many described as eye-opening and deeply motivating. When the speakers later returned to the stage, they offered their final words of encouragement, urging the youth to explore the sea for themselves and pursue their maritime dreams.
The evening concluded with a lively networking dinner, where speakers, marine officers and shipping company representatives engaged with participants and shared practical tips and heartfelt stories.
A maritime trivia quiz also energised the room, while a neon message photowall invited students to pen their hopes for the future of the industry. Others capped off the night by designing personalised luggage tags—a small but meaningful reminder of the journey ahead.
For these young mariners, the event wasn’t just an introduction to seafaring—it was the beginning of imagining their own place in the vast maritime world.
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