Making A Good First Impression

Mr Alex Lee, Senior Manager in PSA Marine’s Pilotage Services Department, believes that pilots have to be well trained as a pilot is the first person in Singapore that ships entering our port will meet. The Master Pilot shares with Patricia Ang what his job entails

- Patricia Ang

A self-confessed “meticulous and quiet person”, Mr Alex Lee says that his hobby of fixing and collecting navy ship models during his younger days developed his interest in the maritime industry and led to a Diploma in Nautical Studies.

After a stint as a ship planner, Mr Lee joined PSA Marine in 1996 as a trainee harbour pilot. In 2004, he became the youngest A1 pilot serving in the Port of Singapore when he attained the highest class of Pilotage Licence (Class A1) in March that year. To date, he has piloted more than 13,000 vessels calling at the Port of Singapore.

“I feel a sense of achievement. I’m proud to be the youngest A1 pilot serving in the Port of Singapore at that time,” says Mr Lee. “As a harbour pilot, I am the ambassador for the Port of Singapore. Harbour pilots are the first group of people to greet a Captain after a long voyage; they create the first impression of Singapore.”

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Mr Lee oversees the training and development needs of all pilot trainees and licenced pilots in PSA Marine. He develops the content of the courses, and ensures that their professionalism is above the standard set by the various authorities and international organisations. He has instructed more than 140 trainee harbour pilots in Singapore.