Preserving Brotherhood at Sea: Why Alumni Reunions Still Matter

While the merchant navy demands long periods away from home and loved ones, it also creates bonds of brotherhood that last a lifetime. For DMET-MERI alumni, those bonds are rekindled at every reunion — especially through the Hong Kong Alumni Association.

Over the years, alumni gatherings have provided more than just a space for nostalgia. They have become crucial venues for:

• Discussing professional challenges

• Helping retired officers stay connected

• Offering career support to juniors

• Building cross-industry friendships across shipping, logistics, marine law, and offshore operations

“Every time we meet, it feels like stepping back into our first engine room,” joked an alumnus during a recent group call. “The faces change, the tech changes — but the sense of unity never fades.”

With the next global alumni reunion proposed for early 2026, efforts are already underway to digitize member records, update contact lists, and archive photographs for future generations.