By Sarah Kiran
Every journey begins with love. In a city built on speed and ambition, that love is often tested by time and experience. A short boat ride away from land, past the traffic and tall buildings in Singapore, another rhythm takes over, one shaped by water, weather, and patience.
Here, in the quiet company of the sea, floats Smith Marine Floating Restaurant. It is known as Singapore’s only floating seafood restaurant, but it is so much more than that. It is a living treasure, a piece of heritage preserved against the odds.
When Love Becomes Responsibility
For him, this place did not begin as a business. It began with love. Over time, love became an interest. Interest grew into passion. Passion turned into a hobby. And slowly, it became what he does every day.
He said, “The main reason that I started the restaurant is to try to change people's mindset on this island.”
After many years, that love also became a responsibility. To farm fish in the open sea is to pay attention. Water conditions change. Fish respond differently. Feeding time is not just feeding; it is also watching closely, observing their behaviour, their health, and the water itself. In this way, the work asks you to be patient, careful, and present.
It is not easy work, but it suits his character. It requires passion, the willingness to take on challenges, and the insistence to carry on even when results are not immediate. These are the reasons he gives himself to continue.
The Question of What Comes Next
The most challenging question is not how to begin, but how it ends.
Succession weighs heavily. His children are not interested in this way of life, and many young people no longer wish to enter the industry. He does not blame them. They may find paths better suited to their time. Still, the question remains. Who carries this on?
This responsibility extends beyond the business itself. There are workers here, families whose livelihoods are tied to this floating structure. Letting go is easy for fish, but not for people.
What keeps it going are three things. Passion. The courage to take on challenges. And the insistence to persist, even when the journey grows longer and heavier.
(Image Source)
What Remains
Smith Marine Floating Restaurant was never about making a point. It came from years spent out at sea, working with the water, learning its rhythms, and slowly coming to understand it.
Along the way, he learned that fish raised in the open sea taste better, that freshness comes from care, not speed, and that nothing lasts unless someone is willing to look after it.
More than a restaurant, it reflects a way of life shaped by patience and responsibility for him. Love may be where the journey starts, but it is the decision to keep going, day after day, that keeps it afloat.
This is just one of many stories about passion, heritage and responsibility. Join us as we uncover more stories. Head over to the page to discover more.
Discover More Stories That Matter
Smith Marine Floating Restaurant is one example of how love, heritage, and responsibility shape meaningful journeys. Across Singapore, more stories continue to unfold, each driven by passion, community, and the courage to persist.
Explore more Spotlight features that highlight people building something meaningful in their own ways.
OnlyFriendsLah!: This Deck Comes With Friends
A shared love for trading card games brings people together beyond competition, forming a close-knit community rooted in friendship, inclusivity, and giving back.
Music That Transcends Borders: Two Founders’ Mission to Spark an Asian Music Movement
A look at the founders of Seatide and their mission to spotlight Asian artists and sounds, creating a platform that nurtures creativity, representation, and regional connection.