Completion of an unfinished work

Almost 2 years ago, I embarked on my quest to achieve my dream to be able to drive a boat.

So, in 2004, when my friend approached me to take up the powered pleasure boat license course with him, I jumped onto the bandwagon without any hesitation.

After the evening theory lessons, held at a yacht club in an obscure corner of West Coast area, I quickly signed up for the theory test.

The regulations stated very clearly that I had to pass my theory test first, before I could sign up for the practical handling test. I planned to clear all these tests within the space of a few months and I couldn't wait to lay my hands on the boat licence.

The theory test seemed straightforward enough: There were only 30 MCQ questions and in order to pass this test, I had to score 27 points and above.

So I studied hard, but complacency did set in. I've always had the ability to retain much information without much effort when I study, but I think I might have carried this thought a little too far that time.

Sitting for the theory test in a musty old computer laboratory in Singapore Polytechnic, I sat dumbfounded at two or three questions, where the answer proved to be elusive.

Nonetheless, I clicked quickly at the answers I thought should be correct.

When I received the score sheet a short while later, I received a rude shock.

My score? 26 out of 30.

I was infuriated with myself. It was scant consolation that my friend, and a few others also received similar results.

Why should I feel better just because everyone else is doing just as badly?

So, I quickly signed up for the next available re-test, and this time, I made sure I studied the notes thoroughly.



As I sat for the test again in early 2005, some of the questions stumped me again. Again, some of the answers I put down were pure guesswork. My score for this test?

27 out of 30.

I did it!

My friend passed too, so mutual congratulations became the order of the day. We agreed to book the practical test date as soon as possible.

That was in Jan 2005. Months passed. Endless work committments thwarted our plans to take the practical test. In fact, the thoughts of booking the test date diminished from our memories as our work load demanded our fullest attention and energy.

The critical juncture came last month, when I realised that our theory test result would expire in Jan 2007. That meant that we had to urgently book the test date for the practical handling test. Once my theory test results expires, I would have to re-sit for the entire theory test again. I certainly do not want that to happen.

And so, my colleague and I went to book the test, and we were relieved to be able to have the test in early November.

The test itself required us to show competence in driving the boat, to be able to unberth the boat safely, to be able to perform the man overboard manoeuvre, and to be able to berth the boat at a designated jetty.

On the test day, the weather certainly wasn't on our side. While waiting for the testers to arrive in the boat shed, the dark skies poured relentlessly. Looking at the choppy waters in the bay, it was very easy for all of us to be anxious.

When it was my turn, I went through all the pre-start checks with the tester perfectly. The unwieldy waters did not matter at all, as I executed the manoeuvres well enough, even in the chilly rain. I was already drenched as I stepped out of the boat after completing the test, and waddled back to the boat shed, where it was much warmer and provided welcome shelter from the incessant rain.





Inside the tester's office, I sat opposite the tester. This was the final part of the practical handling test where I would be asked a series of questions on the regulations of the sea in Singapore waters, and what I would do in situations of potential danger, such as collisions between vessels in the open sea. I answered his questions in the best way I knew: calm, sensible, and logical.

And so, the tester extended his hand to me, and my hand reached out to meet his in a firm handshake, and he then congratulated me on passing the test.





Getting this boat license is definitely a high point for me this year. It marked an end to a quest that started over 2 years ago. With this done, I can now move on to other challenges for the future. Among other personal targets, I hope to be able to get the Kayaking and Basketball Coaching certificates.

A more immediate and daunting target looms over this weekend.

This Sunday, the Big Race is here - the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.

I'll be running in the full marathon - all 42.195km of it.

My personal goal for this race? It would be to finish the marathon, and get that medal and the finisher t-shirt!

And once that's done, it's straight back home to pack my luggage, for that long flight to the Middle East that's scheduled on the very next day, for my 2-week holiday.

Quite an exciting next few days, isn't it.