Whatever Floats Your Boat

After my final exams in Year 4, I was determined to pick up a new skill over the long holiday. I wanted to try something completely out of my comfort zone, just to spend all that free time meaningfully. Whilst I was on vacation in Venice, the sight of countless gondolas and boats gave me some form of inspiration. As I rarely get opportunities to ride boats, the choice became clear to me. This was something I could try that would truly be out of my comfort zone, and as soon as I heard the legal age to apply for a boating license was 16 years old, my mind was set. That very day, I booked theory classes to start this new endeavour for a Powered Pleasure Craft Driving License (PPCDL). 

​Frankly, the entire process was not as tedious as I imagined it to be. It was fairly easy to book lessons online, and there was even an online portal where I could access all the resources shared in the class. The theory lessons took place over just a single weekend, covering a wide myriad of topics, from the Rules of the Road to the geography of the islands surrounding Singapore. All this information was completely new to me, and I found it so eye-opening how much depth there was to something I had previously thought to be quite basic. It's always fascinating to find out so much about a field that you never gave any thought to previously, and I was just blown away by the sheer amount of content shared in that short span of two days. Having such an exposure was definitely an enlightening experience for me, and spurred my interest even more. I made some new friends through the theory lessons as well, and I ended up sticking with them all the way till I got my license.

The practical lessons that followed were even more exciting, as that was the first time I had ever gotten the chance to operate a boat myself with some guidance from the instructor. We were taught basic handling, berthing, and practiced certain drills as well. I could get the hang of it over the course of the practical session, and I realised just how much I enjoyed it. That feeling of driving the boat, knowing it is under your complete control, is unparalleled. It's hard not to fall in love with the feeling of handling a boat, the way it coarsely slips through the relentless currents, taking command from your inputs. The gentle, rhythmic rocking, the crisp wind rippling against your skin, the sound of collapsing waves giving way to the hull, these sensations are all unique to boating, and make it ever so enjoyable.

Following the practical lessons, I sat for the theory test which was held at Singapore Polytechnic. All the content covered over the theory lessons was tested, and a minimum of 26/30 was required to be considered a pass. Knowing that there was such a high standard to even pass the theory test, I gained immense respect for the people working in the maritime industry. It sounded daunting for sure, but having attempted all the practice questions, my friends and I were fortunate enough to pass the test on the first try. 

The real challenge was the practical test, as it was much harder to prepare for since, well, we could not practice it. We were tested on our boat check, berthing and unberthing, as well as a Man Overboard recovery drill, before moving on to an oral examination of the theory previously covered. In boats with 1-2  other candidates, we were individually examined on each component, and if you were unable to complete one section, you failed the entire examination. I managed to clear all the components without any hiccups, and passed the whole examination on my first attempt. However, the other candidates were not so lucky. They were each unable to complete a component in two attempts, granting them an immediate failure. This drew a close to my whole journey in attaining a PPCDL, and I received my license within a couple weeks. 

Overall, this experience was enlightening for me in more ways than one. Not only did it open my eyes to this small slice of the maritime realm, I managed to pick up a unique new skill that will hopefully stay with me for life. This experience also sprouted a deeper appreciation I have for marine ecology. As the currents lap against the hull and the horizon seems to stretch to no end, I am humbled by the overwhelming grandeur of the ocean and all the creatures that live within. The twinkling waters are teeming with more life than we can fathom; a delicate ecosystem deserving respect and protection. These innumerable creatures who are often hidden from our sight play an instrumental role in preserving the balance of our planet, and being out on the water has reminded me of the interconnectedness of our world and theirs. 

Being on a boat is not merely a journey over the water, it is a journey into a thriving world beyond what we normally see – a world that deserves as much appreciation and protection as ours.

-Norman, 17