Old Scholar Spotlight - Simon Maloney

If you get knocked down, get up again, persevere, and you will achieve your goals.

Simon, a member of the Class of 1993 and Carnley House, embarked on a unique and inspiring journey before finding his long-term career. Starting as a deckhand after leaving school in Year 11, he pursued further studies to continually upskill in an ever-evolving industry. His dedication and perseverance led him to achieve the role of Chief Engineer. With over 20 years of experience in the Maritime industry, Simon exemplifies that everyone’s post-school journey can be different yet equally rewarding.

Short & Sweet

• Class of: 1993
• House: Carnley
• Tertiary education: Motor Mechanic Trade Certificate, Master Class 5, Diploma of Marine Operations Engineer Class 3, Cert IV in Project Management
• Current role: Chief engineer Port Hedland tugs Iron Osprey and Iron Dove
• Music you are currently listening to: Porcupine Tree, Lucid Planet and anything progressive metal/rock
• Dream dinner guest: Maynard James Keenan, lead singer of Tool
• Favourite subject at school: Metalwork

A Little Longer

Where has life after St Mark’s taken you?
I took quite a different path before reaching my long-term career. From an early age, I wanted to be a crayfisherman, so I worked as a deckhand for a season after leaving school at the completion of Year 11.
After my first season, I began a pre-apprenticeship in automotive mechanical/electrical trades, gaining an apprenticeship halfway through the course. Upon completing my apprenticeship, I returned to crayfishing, where I completed my Master Class 5 and operated my own fishing vessels, the Sabrina 2 and Mare Nostrum.

When the SARS virus hit Asia in 2005, crayfish prices plummeted, and with a young family, I decided to study marine engineering for a more stable income. As a marine engineer, I’ve worked on a variety of vessels, including passenger ferries, dredgers, pipe layers, offshore support vessels, crew transfer boats, private yachts and most recently, harbour tugs.

After supervising several vessel dockings and commissioning works on new-build vessels, I continued my professional development by studying project management. In 2023, I travelled to Rotterdam with a group of colleagues for the Tug Technology conference, which discussed future energy sources for the harbour towage industry.

How do you think St Mark’s prepared you for life after school?
It helped me develop resilience. If you get knocked down, get up again, persevere, and you will achieve your goals.

What does the day-to-day look like on your job?
My job involves a unique blend of tasks. I operate, monitor, and maintain vessel machinery, including propulsion systems, power generation and power management systems, hydraulic equipment, and domestic services such as reverse osmosis plants, sewage treatment plants, refrigeration and air conditioning systems. I also manage vessel stability and winch operation during harbour towage manoeuvres. It’s a dynamic role that keeps me on my toes.

What are the positives and challenges in your role?
The positives of my role are that I get to work with professional, like-minded people. The marine industry operates in a dynamic environment; no two days are the same. We experience beautiful weather conditions, including amazing sunrises and sunsets and brilliant, calm nights when the stars reflect brightly on the ocean. We see many marine animals throughout the year, including whales, sharks, turtles, and manta rays.

Being at the mercy of the weather can present its challenges, too. Working in unfavourable weather conditions can be physically and mentally demanding and often leads to issues with machinery that require attention under challenging conditions. Our vessels have achieved 98% vessel availability with limited maintenance time (144 hours designated downtime per year). This provides both challenges to maintain the numerous systems on board an operational vessel with a positive feeling of successfully achieving these targets. While challenging at the time, finding quick resolutions to problems and sharing what has been learned from these events is also rewarding.

How has the marine and maritime industry changed over the years?
Over the years, the marine and maritime industry has undergone significant changes. Automation has led to the creation of more complex and specialised operating systems, requiring a blend of information technology and electrical experience and knowledge. While these systems are more complex, they have also brought about vast improvements and options for the industry, making it more advanced and efficient.

More recently, the industry has shifted its focus to the mental health impacts of life at sea, particularly in the wake of the Covid pandemic. This has led to the adoption of rosters and shifts that provide a better work-life balance for seafarers.

What do you think the future of the marine and maritime industry looks like?
As with most industries, maritime is moving towards cleaner energy. Multiple options are being explored, including hydrogen cells, methanol or ammonia-powered engines rather than diesel, and battery technology in certain applications.

What advice do you have for students wanting to pursue a career in a similar field to yours?
Study hard to understand vessel systems. If you understand how a system functions, you will be able to diagnose the cause of problems when they occur. And remember, you will never know everything; be open to learning.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My family. My wife of 22 years is a dedicated primary school teacher. My daughter is training to become a commercial diver/welder, and my son is currently in Year 10 at St Mark’s. Their belief in themselves to achieve their goals and be true individuals makes me proud.

What is your fondest memory of your fondest memory of St Mark’s?
Year 11 woodwork excursion with Mr Crane’s class and helping Mr Thomas teach the primary school children karate.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Try to learn something new every day.

Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
My wife. Her ability to raise two children, manage a home, and complete a teaching degree with a FIFO partner is amazing, as is her dedication to her students.

When you are not working, where can we find you?
Relaxing in the garden of my five-acre home or travelling.