Adventure Seekers

MaritimeONE scholars Thaddeus Tan and Calista Chan are setting sail on an unconventional journey into the boundless world of maritime.

What sparked your interest in the maritime industry?

THADDEUS: When I was young, my dad used to bring me on boat rides. The apartment where I spent my childhood also overlooked the southern coast and port infrastructure. However, my interest in the maritime industry was only crystallised after two internships, which exposed me to the massive ecosystem of the maritime industry in Singapore. It was a combination of these factors that led me to pursue my studies in this field.

CALISTA: Growing up, I wasn't really exposed to the industry. So when I first heard about seafaring, it sparked a huge interest because it's not like your average nine-to-five job. This made me want to venture into this unconventional field.

Did the industry differ from your initial expectations?

CALISTA: I imagined it to be very rugged and filled with physically strong people – think Popeye the sailor man! As I’m quite petite, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to take on strenuous tasks. However, after gaining greater exposure to the industry, I realised that it encompasses more than just tasks related to seafaring; it also comprises port operations, chartering, brokering and many other ancillary support activities that might be based onshore.