Happily swinging his long umbrella, Wong Kam-fai was carefree as he arrived for his first day of work at the Star Ferry in 2004.
"My boss still remembers me doing that," he laughs, thinking back to that day long ago.
Eighteen years ago, Wong saw a job advert in the newspaper from the Star Ferry Company. He took a chance on it.
"I wanted to take a break," he says, because his previous job required him to travel too much.
It took him some time to adjust, but he mastered the tough skills of operating one of Hong Kong's most famous boats.
After nearly two decades with the Star Ferry, Wong says the job has changed him for the better.
"In my old job, I used to work from morning to night. I would seldom see my son. It's so much better now," he says. He can now eat dinner with his family more often.
Heavy ropes to lasso
Each morning, Wong cleans the boat and checks if the cables tying the boat to the pier have come loose.
During the day, he operates the gangway (the ramp that passengers walk to board the ship). And he helps keep the vessel in place until everyone is on the boat.
"Every day, I lasso the mooring line tens of times. The cable weighs about 30 pounds, and when it's raining, it can be even heavier," he explains.
There have even been times when he has rescued people from drowning.
"I've saved four people from jumping into the sea during my 18 years here," he says.
A mesmerising view
Even after all this time, Wong says that the view is still as mesmerising as it was on his first day.
Many people choose to cross the harbour on the Star Ferry so they can enjoy the sea breeze.
In the old days, the ferries were so packed that people squeezed into the room with the steering wheel, which was supposed to be private. At its busiest time, the ferry had over 100,000 riders every month.
Wong is confident the ferry will survive. "Hong Kong people will help each other," he says. More people rode the ferry after they heard rumours that it would close down.
The spirit of his colleagues inspires Wong to stay positive about the ferry's future.
"All our colleagues are so united. No one took time off during the pandemic," he says. "They have dedication to their work. So I don't think Star Ferry will have any trouble."
Even though Wong is old enough to retire, he still enjoys his work too much to leave.
"When I was in primary school, I always went to the ferry pier and crossed the harbour to meet my dad," he says. "So I have a personal attachment to the Star Ferry."
Fun facts
The Star Ferry was started in 1888 by a man called Dorabjee Naorojee. The first ferries were powered by steam. Today, there are nine ferries, and they are powered by diesel.
Quick questions
- How did Wong hear about the job at the Star Ferry?
- Why is the cable heavier in rainy weather?
- Which do you think is older, the Star Ferry or the tram?
