I have often looked at the Baan heritage of maritime involvement and thought I belong there. There was Grandfather Jacob Baan’s barge which he unfortunately lost in the Great Depression, Uncle Wim being a ships captain and later fleet commodore, Uncle Coen’s expertise as a ships engineer and Uncle Jaap and and my father Leen also going to sea.

So after my careers in various industries like IT, recruitment and hotels, I have now secured a captains job with Transdev Brisbane Ferries. It is a job I have wanted for years and I had to get Marine Engine Driver qualifications in addition to my Ships Master Class 5 ticket.

I’m having so much fun and getting paid for doing what I love, I recently heard a local football legend and sports commentator say that “if you can make your obsession become your profession, then you will never do another day’s work in your life.”

With views like this it’s like being in an open air cathedral and it is even more spectacular at night!