I bet most of you do not know or have not been to this old restaurant located at Selegie House. Last time I was there was perhaps 20 years ago. Today, HK and me, we had lunch there, we were the only customers for lunch so the service is full attention - we had the 5 course set lunch, the bill came to $41 in total. I was surprised they even gave a $10 discount voucher for next visit. The food is excellent and price is very reasonable. Those who knows me can attest to my patchy knowledge for cuisines, but still I venture to recommend you try out this restaurant, if you do not trust my food sense, at least to go there for some nostalgia (they are still playing songs from the 60's as ambience music). The decor is simple and clean, look quite newly renovated.
Singapura serves Foochow cuisine but their signature dish is cold crab which I thought was Teochew - you can also get good cold crabs at Liang Kee, Robertson Quay.
Singapura Restaurant Block 9, Selegie House, Selegie Road Tel 63363255
Friday, June 15, 2007
Moments in Time
My friend HK and me make our first visit to the Photographic Society of Singapore this afternoon - it has a very nice office at the Selegie Arts Centre. We signed up with the PSS a few months back, intending to learn some basic photography. There is a whole new world out there to be discovered and captured on photograph - a mean to express ourself and uncover our artistic talents which for me is very well hidden (my photographic talent, that is) as you can deduce from seeing the few photoes that accompany my postings on this blog.
I was quite happy to collect several booklets, free of charge to enjoy the fantastic photoes that were taken by the members, photo journalists and during competitions. One little booklet called Moments in time - is a tribute to Mr Goh Peng Seng, a distinguished photographer who passed away last year. In this booklet, the collection of photoes were in B&W, scenes of the sea, boats, seaside, fisherfolks reflecting such scenery with the romanticism of another era. A monsoon landscape.
I shall have this booklet on my office coffee table for my visitors to enjoy. A small proof that the best things in life is free, if only we open our eyes.
I was quite happy to collect several booklets, free of charge to enjoy the fantastic photoes that were taken by the members, photo journalists and during competitions. One little booklet called Moments in time - is a tribute to Mr Goh Peng Seng, a distinguished photographer who passed away last year. In this booklet, the collection of photoes were in B&W, scenes of the sea, boats, seaside, fisherfolks reflecting such scenery with the romanticism of another era. A monsoon landscape.
I shall have this booklet on my office coffee table for my visitors to enjoy. A small proof that the best things in life is free, if only we open our eyes.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Old Kota ships
I served onboard the Kota Ratu - sister ship to Kota Rajah - both became troopships for the Malaysian Government when I was onboard around 1972 - ferrying men and equipment from West to East Malaysia. Very idyllic run - old world colonial atmosphere and very nice people onboard, including those ordinary soldiers who are probably sent into the jungle borders.
Ratu is Bahasa for Queen, Rajah - King - beautiful names for these ships with real personality and characteristic. I think the old PIL vessels are mostly ex Dutch KPM - if you go to Rotterdam, do not miss the maritime museum. There last October when I attended the commencement ceremony for Ju Gek, I found a big book on the history of KPM, and My first Ship, Kota Singapura (ex Tjiwangi or Tjiluwah) sister to Kota Bali.
After making this post - I remember I can just yahoo ( I normally yahoo not google) for tjiluwah - voila - some enthusiats already have her researched and available for viewing on the net. Check out this link http://www.ssmaritime.com/tjiluwah.htm - I have also seen information on Straits Steamship, Chip Wah Shipping etc on the internet.
The internet is a really rich and marvellous place for us to share freely our ideas and all sort of information. I will vote the internet as the greatest and most useful invention of our generation.
Ratu is Bahasa for Queen, Rajah - King - beautiful names for these ships with real personality and characteristic. I think the old PIL vessels are mostly ex Dutch KPM - if you go to Rotterdam, do not miss the maritime museum. There last October when I attended the commencement ceremony for Ju Gek, I found a big book on the history of KPM, and My first Ship, Kota Singapura (ex Tjiwangi or Tjiluwah) sister to Kota Bali.
After making this post - I remember I can just yahoo ( I normally yahoo not google) for tjiluwah - voila - some enthusiats already have her researched and available for viewing on the net. Check out this link http://www.ssmaritime.com/tjiluwah.htm - I have also seen information on Straits Steamship, Chip Wah Shipping etc on the internet.
The internet is a really rich and marvellous place for us to share freely our ideas and all sort of information. I will vote the internet as the greatest and most useful invention of our generation.
Executives appointment open
I have been asked to help look for a young executive with some years of sea experience to join a Korean shipowner based in Singapore with six bulkers trading around the region.
I have another position for an Asst. manager or executive to join the crew department of a large and reputable local chinese shipowning company.
Any of my readers who may know any of their friends with suitable experience - please pm me.
I have another position for an Asst. manager or executive to join the crew department of a large and reputable local chinese shipowning company.
Any of my readers who may know any of their friends with suitable experience - please pm me.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Fruits of the Monsoon
I just read several articles on Forbes Asia, June 18 issue - It is incredible to see the pace of business and how Asia is advancing economically on all fronts. The front Page featured India's HCL Tech Shiv Nadar, a guy with a $4 billion fortune - Forbes called him Tamil Tycoon ( I can see why they should not called him Tamil Tiger :-)) - then there is another feature on Malaysia plam oil king, IOI ($2.5 billion company) Lee Shin Cheng - he is the world largest palm oil producer.
On a lighter note, an article titled LAST MANGO IN PARIS can have serious consequence for us mango lovers - The US is currently getting their annual 250,000 tons of mango from Mexico - however, this summer, the first shipment of Alphonsos arrived in New York and is being sold for as much as US$3 per piece. My last visit to Mumbai, I got a few boxes of Alphonsos for a very reasonable price like S$1 per piece. Luckily, I found another source of supply of mango of equal quality - from Myanmar - I can say Myanmar mango may not be so good looking as the Indian but they are just as tasty, more natural. Myanmar mango are not available in Singapore, so if you are mango lover like me, go to little India or NTUC, get your mango this season and savour it as it will taste better at today's price.
I am fond of Yang Mei, the Chinese Strawberry, it is currently in season but only for one or two weeks. Imported from South China - we in Singapore are lucky to be able to enjoy all these different fruits at a very reasonable price. Say so much for modern agriculture technology and modern transportation. I thought this fruit was named arbutus, but apparently, Arbutus are not native to Asia and are not what being sold here at around $10 a box. If you want to buy this fruit, you have to hurry before the season is out. You can buy it from my favourite fruit stall at Tanjong Pagar - C. Fruit Tel 62225732.
Durian diplomacy - well, we have not yet done our durian tour to Malaysia with our Monsoon staff. Referring to the langkawi prime ministers meeting between Singapore and Malaysia - Today's Straits Times commented that perhaps it is an unfortunate term to describe the high level diplomatic effort and relationship between our two countries "Thorny" , "Smelly" all too accurate. Thankfully, we are all agreed, the taste is "Wonderful" - Only Singaporean and Malaysian can fully appreciate the taste of Malaysian durian which is much better than Thai durian.
One of my reader has commented we are accomplice of capitalism - may well be but why not? if we all can enjoy the fruits of capitalism at a reasonable price, resulting in more prosperity to the producers, workers and owners of all these resources (from the Monsoon region).
Abolish poverty - let not one single child of the Monsoon ever have to long hungrily for a half eaten core of an apple, or any fruits. Never, ever.
On a lighter note, an article titled LAST MANGO IN PARIS can have serious consequence for us mango lovers - The US is currently getting their annual 250,000 tons of mango from Mexico - however, this summer, the first shipment of Alphonsos arrived in New York and is being sold for as much as US$3 per piece. My last visit to Mumbai, I got a few boxes of Alphonsos for a very reasonable price like S$1 per piece. Luckily, I found another source of supply of mango of equal quality - from Myanmar - I can say Myanmar mango may not be so good looking as the Indian but they are just as tasty, more natural. Myanmar mango are not available in Singapore, so if you are mango lover like me, go to little India or NTUC, get your mango this season and savour it as it will taste better at today's price.
I am fond of Yang Mei, the Chinese Strawberry, it is currently in season but only for one or two weeks. Imported from South China - we in Singapore are lucky to be able to enjoy all these different fruits at a very reasonable price. Say so much for modern agriculture technology and modern transportation. I thought this fruit was named arbutus, but apparently, Arbutus are not native to Asia and are not what being sold here at around $10 a box. If you want to buy this fruit, you have to hurry before the season is out. You can buy it from my favourite fruit stall at Tanjong Pagar - C. Fruit Tel 62225732.
Durian diplomacy - well, we have not yet done our durian tour to Malaysia with our Monsoon staff. Referring to the langkawi prime ministers meeting between Singapore and Malaysia - Today's Straits Times commented that perhaps it is an unfortunate term to describe the high level diplomatic effort and relationship between our two countries "Thorny" , "Smelly" all too accurate. Thankfully, we are all agreed, the taste is "Wonderful" - Only Singaporean and Malaysian can fully appreciate the taste of Malaysian durian which is much better than Thai durian.
One of my reader has commented we are accomplice of capitalism - may well be but why not? if we all can enjoy the fruits of capitalism at a reasonable price, resulting in more prosperity to the producers, workers and owners of all these resources (from the Monsoon region).
Abolish poverty - let not one single child of the Monsoon ever have to long hungrily for a half eaten core of an apple, or any fruits. Never, ever.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Boat People
During my time with the RSN, I have several encounters with these "boat people". Most of us can only remotely recall the late 70's when hundred of thousands of refugees are fleeing Vietnam by land and by sea. During those time, those of us on merchant ships plying the South China Sea would have seen these decrepit boats overloaded with hundreds of "boat people" - We were in a dilemma, do we risk taking onboard these refugees knowing that most neighbouring countries including Singapore will not allowed them to be landed ashore?
It is indeed a sad part of SE Asia history that we lives through, and what has been built up today in Singapore and the other Asean countries - lest we forget - such prosperity we have today are partly built upon the misery and suffering of millions of our people, not so long ago.
The core of an apple
Tanjong Priok 1972 - I was radio operator on a very small and old coastal freighter (Kota Gembira) - enjoying an after dinner apple on the poop deck, watching a beautiful sunset. I became aware of a small Indonesian boy staring at me, I smiled at him - he was a little hesitant, then he gestured to me, pointing to my apple. Before long, I understood what he want was for me to finish my apple but to please give him the remaining core, after I am done with the apple.
This little episode, even as I myself grow up in relative poverty, I would never have seen if I have not been sailing during those times to those parts of the world - It is forever burnt into my memory. From time to time, such memories I share with my children. Our life experience are quite in contrast to this modern wealthy city we live in.
This little episode, even as I myself grow up in relative poverty, I would never have seen if I have not been sailing during those times to those parts of the world - It is forever burnt into my memory. From time to time, such memories I share with my children. Our life experience are quite in contrast to this modern wealthy city we live in.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Local bloggers II
Nostalgia seems to be big business on our local blogsphere - I found a cluster around yesterday.sg and it goes round and round - it is good to see like minded contemporaries (Uncle bloggers), proof that blogging is not just for young teenagers. Now what we need are more maritime blogs to form our own maritime clusters.
Another local blogger, Rambling Librarian post 5th June, about a recent civil service college policy forum held for civil servants from stat boards etc. - I guess the gahmen is trying ways to understand and think about how the internet could be control or dealt with -
"This is hardly the first forum on "new media" for government employees. And I don't think will be the last. As one speaker said, there's no agreement on how the government should deal with new media.In the end, I suspect the only way to manage new media is like how Singapore has managed the Internet -- you don't, because you can't."
A brave new world? 1984?
"Let a hundred flowers bloom, let the hundred schools of thought contend."
then somewhere - Vantan make a posting 30th May about new trend and how company reacts or don't to new trend such as blogging...
"...a few companies here are now engaging bloggers to publicise their products, while others watch cautiously from the sidelines. As citizen journalism becomes more popular, corporations must change their mindset and embrace change. Customers can be your best advocates, and they should be engaged in blogs or forums. Before this happens, though, those within the company must understand the nature of the social web. Honesty, integrity and trust are very important here, because a wrong move can subject the company to intense scrutiny."
Another local blogger, Rambling Librarian post 5th June, about a recent civil service college policy forum held for civil servants from stat boards etc. - I guess the gahmen is trying ways to understand and think about how the internet could be control or dealt with -
"This is hardly the first forum on "new media" for government employees. And I don't think will be the last. As one speaker said, there's no agreement on how the government should deal with new media.In the end, I suspect the only way to manage new media is like how Singapore has managed the Internet -- you don't, because you can't."
A brave new world? 1984?
A Local Role Model
I could not think of any person more honoured in the Singapore Marine and shipping industry than the late Mr Chua Chor Teck - his memory lives on with those of us in the industry, through scholarships for young Singaporean and in the yearly CCT memorial lectures.
Late Mr Chua is a pioneer and leader who inspires all those who worked with him and those who came into the industry during his time. His achievement should continue to inspire the local young men and women coming into the industry. Truly a local role model to all of us.
I was prompted to make this posting by Ramblings who alert me to the 20th CCTM Lecture last year by Mr Charles Foo titled "An Apprenticeship journey" - It is good that young men and women coming into the industry be given a historical background and perspective how our pioneer managers become leaders of our industry through extreme hard work and sheer determination. As we move ahead, the challenges are different as described by Mr Foo. He concludes the lecture nicely with an affirmation of faith in our young people and good practical advice on how Singapore should continue to develop further.
"14.1 The Next Generation
The next generation refers to young people now in
schools, colleges and universities. Maritime education
in Singapore now provides ample opportunities and
options for the next generation We need to see how to
put in place a nation-wide succession planning to ensure
that we have different talents in place to operate a truly
International Maritime Centre."
Below, I extract a profile on Mr Chua Chor Teck - from the Keppel Corporation website.
Mr Chua Chor Teck (1939 - 1986)
When he signed on as an apprentice at the age of 16, very few people could have imagined that Mr Chua Chor Teck would win academic honours and rise through the ranks to become Keppel Group Managing Director, a billion-dollar shipping and marine industrial conglomerate with diversified interests.
Born in Lim Chu Kang, Mr Chua was the son of a farmer. With his three brothers and two sisters, he helped his father with the usual dawn-to-dusk work of growing vegetables and raising poultry. In 1956, he entered night school and at the same time progressed in his career.
In 1965, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue a Naval Architecture course at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. At that time, he was also married to his childhood sweetheart, Alice. He graduated in 1968 with 1st Class Honours, winning also the Burrill Gold Medal.
On his return to Singapore, and into the formative years of the Shipbuilding and Repair Industry, Mr Chua worked with Keppel Shipyard. His talents, dedication, robust courage and quiet strength were recognised early and he progressed rapidly from Ship-Repair Manager in 1969 to Managing Director in 1973. The next 10 years were boom years and Mr Chua was instrumental in building up Keppel into a billion dollar group with very wide interests.
Those who were fortunate to work with Mr Chua were quick to find him unassuming, approachable, honest and sincere. On close association, they would come to realise how steady, caring and committed to high quality work and good leadership he was. Invariably, all would come to respect and trust him.
He died of a tumour in the liver at the age of 47. His untimely death was a loss to his family, his country and all who knew him.
Late Mr Chua is a pioneer and leader who inspires all those who worked with him and those who came into the industry during his time. His achievement should continue to inspire the local young men and women coming into the industry. Truly a local role model to all of us.
I was prompted to make this posting by Ramblings who alert me to the 20th CCTM Lecture last year by Mr Charles Foo titled "An Apprenticeship journey" - It is good that young men and women coming into the industry be given a historical background and perspective how our pioneer managers become leaders of our industry through extreme hard work and sheer determination. As we move ahead, the challenges are different as described by Mr Foo. He concludes the lecture nicely with an affirmation of faith in our young people and good practical advice on how Singapore should continue to develop further.
"14.1 The Next Generation
The next generation refers to young people now in
schools, colleges and universities. Maritime education
in Singapore now provides ample opportunities and
options for the next generation We need to see how to
put in place a nation-wide succession planning to ensure
that we have different talents in place to operate a truly
International Maritime Centre."
Below, I extract a profile on Mr Chua Chor Teck - from the Keppel Corporation website.
Mr Chua Chor Teck (1939 - 1986)
When he signed on as an apprentice at the age of 16, very few people could have imagined that Mr Chua Chor Teck would win academic honours and rise through the ranks to become Keppel Group Managing Director, a billion-dollar shipping and marine industrial conglomerate with diversified interests.
Born in Lim Chu Kang, Mr Chua was the son of a farmer. With his three brothers and two sisters, he helped his father with the usual dawn-to-dusk work of growing vegetables and raising poultry. In 1956, he entered night school and at the same time progressed in his career.
In 1965, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue a Naval Architecture course at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. At that time, he was also married to his childhood sweetheart, Alice. He graduated in 1968 with 1st Class Honours, winning also the Burrill Gold Medal.
On his return to Singapore, and into the formative years of the Shipbuilding and Repair Industry, Mr Chua worked with Keppel Shipyard. His talents, dedication, robust courage and quiet strength were recognised early and he progressed rapidly from Ship-Repair Manager in 1969 to Managing Director in 1973. The next 10 years were boom years and Mr Chua was instrumental in building up Keppel into a billion dollar group with very wide interests.
Those who were fortunate to work with Mr Chua were quick to find him unassuming, approachable, honest and sincere. On close association, they would come to realise how steady, caring and committed to high quality work and good leadership he was. Invariably, all would come to respect and trust him.
He died of a tumour in the liver at the age of 47. His untimely death was a loss to his family, his country and all who knew him.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
local bloggers
I have been searching for local maritime blogs, trust me, there are not many out there. If you are somewhat addicted to read blogs, for local maritime blog, you come to the right place, do me and your friends a favour, tell your friends about this wonderful Monsoon blog.
In case you are curious whose blogs I normally read, I am not so much into blog with too heavy subjects or require too much thinking. The local blog scene are really interesting, open up your eyes. Opens up your mind.
The local political social type of blog, well they are usually anti establishment, free spirited, very colourful, surprisingly insightful, give you a view of the world that our gahmen does not like you to read but still have not found a way to effectively control. Perhaps they know its just harmless rantings and letting off steam, Singaporean are too docile to become a real threat to the establishment. Barking dogs does not bite. In this genre, I read yawning bread and Singapore angle - intellectual, serious and respectable - and the more colourful, rantings off-colour type such as sammyboy, talking cock, The Void deck etc. Across the causeway, in bolehland - Read Malaysiatoday by Raja Petra Kamarudin, scandalous - mongolian model, timber tycoons, corrupt ministers - read all about it. I am afraid the ground view about us Singaporean are not so complimentary. Quite often Very emotional - Pragmatic Singaporeans read and shake your heads in incredulous amazement. Tsk Tsk.
I love light hearted humourous blog, read Xiaxue - warning X rated - her language can make an old seadog blush - like my old Norwegian boss say after telling an off colour joke - go wash your ears. I hope my daughters are not like this, loud, devil may care, frivolous ah lian. Read Kenny Sia - this bolehland guy is amazingly wacky, he got a funny way of looking at the world from an offbeat angle.
For nostalgia - go for good morning yesterday and frannxis cantonese opera blog - great stuff, brings a tear to your eye. I am a cantonese opera fan - highly recommended.
Lastly for useful blog - first prize - Tankinlian - throw away your Straits Time subscription.
In case you are curious whose blogs I normally read, I am not so much into blog with too heavy subjects or require too much thinking. The local blog scene are really interesting, open up your eyes. Opens up your mind.
The local political social type of blog, well they are usually anti establishment, free spirited, very colourful, surprisingly insightful, give you a view of the world that our gahmen does not like you to read but still have not found a way to effectively control. Perhaps they know its just harmless rantings and letting off steam, Singaporean are too docile to become a real threat to the establishment. Barking dogs does not bite. In this genre, I read yawning bread and Singapore angle - intellectual, serious and respectable - and the more colourful, rantings off-colour type such as sammyboy, talking cock, The Void deck etc. Across the causeway, in bolehland - Read Malaysiatoday by Raja Petra Kamarudin, scandalous - mongolian model, timber tycoons, corrupt ministers - read all about it. I am afraid the ground view about us Singaporean are not so complimentary. Quite often Very emotional - Pragmatic Singaporeans read and shake your heads in incredulous amazement. Tsk Tsk.
I love light hearted humourous blog, read Xiaxue - warning X rated - her language can make an old seadog blush - like my old Norwegian boss say after telling an off colour joke - go wash your ears. I hope my daughters are not like this, loud, devil may care, frivolous ah lian. Read Kenny Sia - this bolehland guy is amazingly wacky, he got a funny way of looking at the world from an offbeat angle.
For nostalgia - go for good morning yesterday and frannxis cantonese opera blog - great stuff, brings a tear to your eye. I am a cantonese opera fan - highly recommended.
Lastly for useful blog - first prize - Tankinlian - throw away your Straits Time subscription.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Few days back, I accompanied my son, youngest daughter and wife to watch the movie "Pirate of the Carribean : At Worlds End" It was a wonderful movie, I am still wondering what its all about. In Singlish - No head, no tail. Catch no balls.
Anyway, there was this oriental pirates den, full of slit eye fiendish Chinese Fu manchu type characters - but not in an offensive racist tone - more freakishly funny cartoonistically fantasy - after a while, it was declared that this pirates den was our beloved home island Singapore - well - we have always been an international maritime center but I do not think our MPA will be impressed despite the free publicity - and today, imagine, in this modern age, right here in Singapore - there are still pirates (and smugglers) roaming around just outside our little island a little out of reach from our high tech Navy.
I alway think it is really romantic to be a pirate just like Johnny Depp - except that this character is a gay pirate, its really nonsensical - our modern pirate here - he is nothing at all like the swashbuckling fella with a mandatory eye patch and a bright parrot on his shoulder, flying the skull and crossbones - but in this day of terrorism, much more potentially dangerous. Not funny.
Some years back, one of our container ship was attacked by pirates along the straits of Malacca and same day when I went onboard and speak to our crewmembers, I clearly could sense the fear and how close some of the crew were to being physically harmed or even killed during the encounter. Our Myanmar elecky onboard lost all his saving of about US$4000 and also other crewmembers including our Filipino Captain Courageous, Capt.Benny. The Croatian Chief Engineer was so traumatised he has to be sent home from Singapore. What surprised me was that the money lost to pirates was not covered under normal pandi insurance and in the end, we could not get the owners or managers to come up with any compensation for the crew except some sincere expression of sympathy. Monsoon - we shared the losses with those crew. To this day, the elecky is still sailing with us. I do not think he would like to watch the Pirates of the Carribean. Real life experience can be more exciting huh?
Anyway, there was this oriental pirates den, full of slit eye fiendish Chinese Fu manchu type characters - but not in an offensive racist tone - more freakishly funny cartoonistically fantasy - after a while, it was declared that this pirates den was our beloved home island Singapore - well - we have always been an international maritime center but I do not think our MPA will be impressed despite the free publicity - and today, imagine, in this modern age, right here in Singapore - there are still pirates (and smugglers) roaming around just outside our little island a little out of reach from our high tech Navy.
I alway think it is really romantic to be a pirate just like Johnny Depp - except that this character is a gay pirate, its really nonsensical - our modern pirate here - he is nothing at all like the swashbuckling fella with a mandatory eye patch and a bright parrot on his shoulder, flying the skull and crossbones - but in this day of terrorism, much more potentially dangerous. Not funny.
Some years back, one of our container ship was attacked by pirates along the straits of Malacca and same day when I went onboard and speak to our crewmembers, I clearly could sense the fear and how close some of the crew were to being physically harmed or even killed during the encounter. Our Myanmar elecky onboard lost all his saving of about US$4000 and also other crewmembers including our Filipino Captain Courageous, Capt.Benny. The Croatian Chief Engineer was so traumatised he has to be sent home from Singapore. What surprised me was that the money lost to pirates was not covered under normal pandi insurance and in the end, we could not get the owners or managers to come up with any compensation for the crew except some sincere expression of sympathy. Monsoon - we shared the losses with those crew. To this day, the elecky is still sailing with us. I do not think he would like to watch the Pirates of the Carribean. Real life experience can be more exciting huh?
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Crewing is KING
Lee and myself went to meet one prospective customer, a major shipowner in Singapore - among the first remark from the manager - CREWING IS KING - similiar remarks were bantered almost everywhere when this subject came up - among the professionals in the industry. Almost every day we get new queries so effectively there is no need for marketing our services - our strategy is to ensure we look after our existing customers who have been with us through good and bad times and who treated us decently and by this, I could say all my customers were in this league except one outstanding company/manager whom we decided to say good bye in a nice way.
Rather than seeing dollars and big profit to be made, I see a heavy responsibility but opportunity to advance our profession and advance Monsoon further by providing solutions both short and long term to help meet the demand for manpower. No point talking and talking about the problem, we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work, think up new ideas, break our mindsets and come up with practical proposals for our customers. Monsoon has always pride ourselves as long term player - relationship with our customers are long term. Our services and professionalism are much appreciated by our customers - this give me a lot of satisfaction - this business is not just about making money, it never has been this way with Monsoon.
Such high demand for our services does not means we behave in an arrogant way or try to increase our manning fee or crew wages to the highest expectation - our customers knows that we have been very modest and in fact perhaps a little too conservative in matching the market rates in term of crew wages - as for our fee, there were almost no increase but in order to build up for the future, we will be discussing with our customers for a long term managed increase in the fee in order to ensure we can pay our staff a competitive wages and to ensure our professional development.
Who will be King?
I get many requests to help look for crew managers of all level - those in the market are around my vintage, with good experience but perhaps a little tired and battle weary - my comtemporaries has been too long on a thankless job, quite often lacking in professional development. There are almost no mid level managers not to say young locals who will do crewing for the long term - it is definitely not the first choice of graduates - There are really very little local executives available so many of the larger companies have no choice or take the easier way out by employing expatriates from India and other sources - not that there is anything wrong with it, but my thinking is that managing such an important resources as crewing for the industry, we must have high level local Singaporean with understanding of crewing HR work - we cannot just depends on expatriate professionals who may not have the long term commitment to our industry and country as a local person would. The local culture and management style in crewing and ship management or shipping in general should be further developed and projected - a Singapore brand in crewing - that is what we must develop and even in future, export overseas. Too many expatriates, we become submerged into a different culture and management style. We should have local managers who can lead and define the agenda for this important sector of the industry. We should learn from the foreigners, welcome them into our fold, the industry is big enough for everyone, but we should not just take the easy way out by using all foreigners and not develop our local managers. We risk losing our identity.
Rambling is a young man who feel very much about the way our industry is headed, he has many ideas and opinion about developing local managers (and with sea experience) especially in critical important area of shipping - I agree - so we have to train and induct the locals. Readers who are local mid level crew managers, come forward and identify yourself to me. Monsoon is the right place for you and the moment is now. I have many other opportunities for young or mid level executives with a passion for crew manning with my customers.
Rather than seeing dollars and big profit to be made, I see a heavy responsibility but opportunity to advance our profession and advance Monsoon further by providing solutions both short and long term to help meet the demand for manpower. No point talking and talking about the problem, we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work, think up new ideas, break our mindsets and come up with practical proposals for our customers. Monsoon has always pride ourselves as long term player - relationship with our customers are long term. Our services and professionalism are much appreciated by our customers - this give me a lot of satisfaction - this business is not just about making money, it never has been this way with Monsoon.
Such high demand for our services does not means we behave in an arrogant way or try to increase our manning fee or crew wages to the highest expectation - our customers knows that we have been very modest and in fact perhaps a little too conservative in matching the market rates in term of crew wages - as for our fee, there were almost no increase but in order to build up for the future, we will be discussing with our customers for a long term managed increase in the fee in order to ensure we can pay our staff a competitive wages and to ensure our professional development.
Who will be King?
I get many requests to help look for crew managers of all level - those in the market are around my vintage, with good experience but perhaps a little tired and battle weary - my comtemporaries has been too long on a thankless job, quite often lacking in professional development. There are almost no mid level managers not to say young locals who will do crewing for the long term - it is definitely not the first choice of graduates - There are really very little local executives available so many of the larger companies have no choice or take the easier way out by employing expatriates from India and other sources - not that there is anything wrong with it, but my thinking is that managing such an important resources as crewing for the industry, we must have high level local Singaporean with understanding of crewing HR work - we cannot just depends on expatriate professionals who may not have the long term commitment to our industry and country as a local person would. The local culture and management style in crewing and ship management or shipping in general should be further developed and projected - a Singapore brand in crewing - that is what we must develop and even in future, export overseas. Too many expatriates, we become submerged into a different culture and management style. We should have local managers who can lead and define the agenda for this important sector of the industry. We should learn from the foreigners, welcome them into our fold, the industry is big enough for everyone, but we should not just take the easy way out by using all foreigners and not develop our local managers. We risk losing our identity.
Rambling is a young man who feel very much about the way our industry is headed, he has many ideas and opinion about developing local managers (and with sea experience) especially in critical important area of shipping - I agree - so we have to train and induct the locals. Readers who are local mid level crew managers, come forward and identify yourself to me. Monsoon is the right place for you and the moment is now. I have many other opportunities for young or mid level executives with a passion for crew manning with my customers.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Currencies of ships
In our travelling around the world, we ends up with lots of different currencies from around the world, some of these currencies like our Singaporean (ships series) one and ten dollar notes, are well, no more current. The Arabic dhow note shown below, that's from Bahrain - I was there 1972, same for the five cents paper note from China, date back 1953.
In our young days, we collect stamps, currencies and coins but nowaday, I think the kids just play with computers? or they collect the toys from Mcdonalds - I think we have more sentiments, cheap and simple stuffs make us happy, occupies our attention in a very good way. We treasure the stuff we have, we were not yet a mass production and throw away society as we are now.
In our young days, we collect stamps, currencies and coins but nowaday, I think the kids just play with computers? or they collect the toys from Mcdonalds - I think we have more sentiments, cheap and simple stuffs make us happy, occupies our attention in a very good way. We treasure the stuff we have, we were not yet a mass production and throw away society as we are now.
Navy Open House 27th May 07
Last Sunday, I went with my son to see the Naval Base in Changi and have a look at our Singaporean warships. Impressive, both the base and the ships. Make you feel proud to be Singaporean. Even at 4pm, the sun was burning hot and we were saved from dehydration by bottles of NEWater :-)
In a few years time, my son will be serving his NS. I encourage him to consider the Navy, you can learn good skills there.
I served my NS time with the RSN from 1977 to 1980, it was enjoyable but tough time, when you are young, its lots of fun and good camaradie. We get along with people from every level of society, Malay, Indian, Ah bengs, scholars. I remember we were in the thick of looking out for the hordes of Vietnamese refugees floating across the South China seas, most of them oversea Chinese like ourselves, it just happen their forefathers migrated from China to Vietnam instead of Singapore or Malaysia. And there we were, young men staring out at these weary, god forsaken refugees floating on half broken dingy boats - how many of them perished, what the survivors been through and how have they rebuilt their lives now?
The world is different now, its all high technology, all the more important we have smart young local people to be committed to our country and bring her along to the next level.
We need our local young people for our Navy and for our merchant fleet, adventurous young people who love ships and the seas not just see it as a good career - they must heed the call of the seas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
