Foreign captains are paid between $1,800 to $2,500, while the starting salary of Singaporean captains is $2,500, Capt Tan told TNP.

"You'd be surprised that it isn't higher," he said, when asked if more experienced Singaporean captains command higher wages.

"It's not easy to attract Singaporeans into this industry. Cleaning, washing boats in the hot sun is tough," said the retired Republic of Singapore Navy officer.

"To do this, you must have passion."

Indeed, that can be said of Capt Wandi, who inspired his wife and son to take the powered pleasure craft driving licence (PPCDL).

His wife Puspalinda Suratman, 45, is a captain, while his son Mohamed Al Syahiidie, 23, is a crew member of the family business, One D Marine.

Said Capt Wandi: "Sailing is in my blood. My grandfather, Capt Asmawi, trained captains in the 60s. My father was a seaman too.

"I was 16 when I started as a engine boy working in an engine room in a commercial ship. It was a cheap way to travel the world - I've been to New York, New Orleans, Cape Town, Mexico, China, but that was before I got married.

"But now, with seven children, I'm pretty much based in Singapore."

Started by helping out

Ms Puspalinda, who was then a mother of four, decided to help her husband in 1995.

She started out by washing boats.

"It wasn't hard to wash boats - I wasn't born rich and I'm used to hard work," she said.