Apr–May 2010 seaMICA (P) 037/10/2009 Bi-Monthly Publicationvoices of the Singapore Maritime Offi cers’ Union and Wavelink Co-operative TRIPARTITE PARTNERS ALL SET TO UPTURN CONTENTS makewaves WMI 3 Union Plays Important Role In Developing Maritime 21 Training Calendar Manpower 23 Announcement from WMI / Seafarers' Online Lifeline 6 Reaching Out in the Year of the Tiger 24 Bunker Cargo Offi cer Course 7 Celebrating New Year with Seniors 25 ITE Students ‘Taste Test’ Bunkering Industry 8 “I Can’t Wait To Go To Sea!” 26 Postcard from Hung theIRfile travel 10 AMOSUP hosts Summits for Seafarers’ Welfare 27 Wavelink Travel Offers 11 2010: Year of the Seafarer 28 New Online Hotel Portal 12 China and Singapore Collaborate Closely on Maritime Training 14 75 Days as Captive lighthouse 15 Ship Visits to Engage and Encourage 29 Argentina Chin Chin @ Lighthouse 16 Shipping Companies Renew Collective Agreement/ 30 Happy Hour Special Seafarers’ Provident Fund Interest Rate Revision 31 All New Lighthouse Menu 17 A New Seafarer Advocate Terence Tan Joins the IR Team membuzz 18 Golf League for Gold Collar Buddies 19 Family Connection – An Afternoon Leisure of High Tea 20 SMOU Bursary / Scholarship Awards Year 2010 12 Wavelink Building 75 Jellicoe Road #02-01 Singapore 208738 Tel : [65] 6396 0123 17 Fax : [65] 6339 5436 Website : www.smou.org.sg Working hours: 18 Mon to Fri : 9am to 6pm Sat : 9am to 1pm Lighthouse operating hours: Mon to Thur : 11am to 9pm Fri to Sat : 11am to 10pm For enquiries on advertising in the SeaVoices, please call us. Tel : [65] 6390 1640 25 3 makewaves UNIONUUNNINNIONNIOIOIIONON PLAYSPLAPLP IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPINGDDEEEVEEVVELVEELOELLOPLOOPIOPPINPIINNGN MARITIME MANPOWERERR (L–R) SMOU ES Ms Mary Liew, NTUC DSG Mdm Halimah Yacob, Mayor of South East District CDC Mr Matthias Yao, Minister in PMO Mrs Lim Hwee Hwa, SMOU GS Mr Thomas Tay, SMOU President Capt Robin Foo, NTUC ASG Mr Ong Ye Kung and SMOU AGS Mr Yong Soon Huat he Guest of Honour’s message was one to remember as Tguests celebrated the fruits of strong tripartite relations amid a festive lunar new year luncheon at the Raffl es City Convention Centre on 23 February 2010. “Not only has SMOUMOUO safeguardedf ddth the In her speech, Mrs Lim Hwee Hwa highlighted that the active contribution and cooperation amongst the tripartite interests and well-being ooff our seaseafaringfaring partners has been instrumental to the growth and success offi cers; the Union has played an important of Singapore’s maritime sector and SMOU has been a rorolele iinn ddevelopingeveloping marmaritimeitime manpower iinn key partner. She gave the assurance that the government SinSingapore.gapore. We are ggratefulrateful for SMOU’s remains committed to the growth of the maritime sector contributions and the contribution of in Singapore. each and every seafaring offi cer towardowarowardwarwardar Mrs Lim also commended the SMOU for its effort in Singapore’sSingaporengaporegaporeaporeporeorerees MaritimeMaritimMaritiMaritMarMaMaritimeritimeitimetimemee Industry,”Industry,IndustryIndustrIndusInduIndInIndustry,”dudustry,ustusstrystrsttry encouraging more Singaporeans to pursue a seafaring career with the launch of the Tripartite Nautical Training – Mrss Limimm HweeHweHwHweeeee Hua,HuaHuHua,a,, MinMiMinisterMininistnisiststeterteerr inin PrimePrimPriPrPrimeimemee MinistMinisMinMiMMinister’sinistenister OffiOfO ce Award (TNTA), a joint effort with the NTUC Employment andannd SecondSeconSecoSec Seecondcondondd MinisterMinistMinisMinMiMinistenistestererr forfoforr FinFiFFinanceinananancan andndd TransportTransTranTraranspanspnsposporportortt & Employability Institute (e2i), the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), and the Singapore Shipping seavoices newsletter apr may 2010 3 makewaves UNIONNIONIONONN PLAYSPLALAYLAAYYSS IMPORTANTMPORTANTPORTANTPOORTANTRTANTT ROLE IN N DEVELOPING DEVELOPIDEVELOPINDEVELOPDEVELODEVELDEVEDEVDEDEVEVELOPIEVELOPVEVELOPINGVELOPINELEELOPIELOPINGLLOPILOPINGPININN MARITIMEARITIMERITIMEITIMETIMEIMEMEE MANPOWERMANMAMMANPOWEMANPOWANPANNPONPPOPOWOWERWWEERR thet Lunar New Year festive season, MsM Liew pointed out that SMOU had distributedd close to 800 and $30,000 worthw of hong bao and food-aid parcels tot senior citizens across several Lunar NewN Year events. Among them were SMOUS senior members, Henderson SeniorS Citizens Home, Jalan Besar Association (SSA). The programme Community,C Hope Community, Care is expected to train some 60 young Ms Mary Liew welcomed 800 senior citizens, Community and Muhammadiyah Day Singaporeans over the next 3 years, members, guests and friends of the tripartite Care Centre. to serve as nautical offi cers onboard maritime community. Singapore’s commercial ships. ”This momentum must continue. We are always looking to attract more people to join the maritime community. Having a committed and well-trained base of maritime manpower will certainly position Singapore well for the economic upturn that is taking place,” she said. Ms Mary Liew, Executive Secretary, SMOU, resonated this in her opening speech – painting a vivid picture to illustrate how the government and SMOU funded the tripartite collaboration, TNTA, to address the shortage of seafaring offi cers from Singapore. “For SMOU members who have children aspiring to sail, we welcome you with open arms!” she quipped. This year, through the various events organised over Shipping partners looking forward to a better shipping economy seavoices newsletter 4 apr may 2010 makewaves UNION PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING MARITIME MANPOWER Remaining true to traditional Chinese customs, the gathering was no short on festive entertainment. NTUC offi cials, unionists, co-operatives, guests, senior citizens and the shipping community tossed yu sheng and were treated to dazzling and eye-catching displays of acrobats and a lion dance troupe amid generous exchanges of red packets and goodwill. SMOU’S GENEROSITY IS EXEMPLARY “The maritime community is certainly one with a big heart – one that cares and shares. Over the years, the SMOU has helped the less fortunate through outreach events and community projects to improve the lives of the elderly and the young. Since 1987, the union has contributed more than $2 million towards charitable causes … I am heartened that in serving the industry and seafarers, SMOU has not forgotten the community and has continued to reach out. Your generosity is exemplary.” – Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in Prime Minister’s Offi ce and Second Minister for Finance and Transport seavoices newsletter apr may 2010 5 makewaves REACHING OUT IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER Drivers carpooled; residents came in droves; others arrived in wheelchairs while several hobbled on walking sticks … Jalan Besar MP, Dr Lee Boon Yang gracing the occasion TheT community and grassroots leaders greatly appreciatea your annual gesture of hosting our senior citizensc to a sumptuous dinner and also giving them redr packets and goodie bags to take home with them.t It’s a small gesture but I’m sure all our elderly folkf gathered here tonight are deeply moved by your kindness and generosity.” Dr Lee presented red packets and goodie bags to the elderlye residents: among them was Mr Joseph Chia, 86, whow came to know about the dinner through the Jalan Besar Community Centre. A sprightly character and the last surviving member of his family,f Mr Chia lives simply on his own – surviving on a modest budget with the money he receivesr from the government. Jalan Besar Seniors arriving at the Lighthouse Bistro “I“ wash my clothes This was the sight that greeted SMOU and aand cook my dinner. Wavelink staff prior to SMOU’s Lunar New Year dinner for Jalan Besar Senior Residents held at the SSometimes I go down to Lighthouse Bistro on 11 February 2010. Preceded tthe CC. The government by a lion dance performance, senior citizens were ggives me some welfare treated to a delicious dinner with raw fi sh tossing; mmoney that goes into received red packets and goodie bags with food ppaying basic items like essentials, and enjoyed light entertainment. mmy electricity and water Guest of Honour, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Member of bbills. Old people don’t Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC had this to say about the drink, gamble and watch shows. When annual event: “It is so important for those of us who I get my ang pow, I am very happy and have done well to assist the less well-off members of contented.” our society. I would like to thank SMOU, and all your members for generously participating in community It was a heartwarming sight to behold as the senior residents activities and also consistently reaching out to and returned home that evening with high spirits, full stomachs, serving underprivileged members year after year. and joyful hearts – indeed a fi tting start to a brand new year. seavoices newsletter 6 apr may 2010 makewaves CELEBRATING NEW YEAR WITH SENIORS SMOU & WAVELINK LUNAR NEW YEAR LUNCHEONN Mdm Yin Foong Kwai, a fi rst-time visitor to the event, is grateful for the many friends she has made from the Teck Kee Community Centre, The quiet and shy Mr Cheok Bok Thye, 70 Despite setbacks to her health, Mdm Hatijah Ahmad, 53, who’s including friends from shared how grateful he was for being given partially paralysed from stroke is optimistic of improving with the union. The jovial and a chance to work at the Hope Community twice weekly physiotherapy sessions at Muhamadiyah Health & bubbly 80-year old lady and also to be a benefi ciary of events such Day Care Centre. She shared that she’ll be back again next year loves singing, in particular