The Heartbeat of the Ocean: The Captains of Oceans 5 Gili Air
The Captains of Oceans 5 Gili Air
When people imagine a dive center, they often picture instructors teaching skills, divemasters guiding guests through vibrant reefs, or staff preparing gear on the beach. Rarely do they think about the quiet professionals steering the boats—the captains who ensure every diver reaches the site safely and returns with nothing but memories and smiles. At Oceans 5 Gili Air the soul of the dive center doesn’t lie only in its classrooms or compressor room. It pulses on the ocean, where four dedicated boat captains—Yani, Fajar, Yudi, and Kian—carry the responsibility of navigating the turquoise waters of the Gili Matra Marine Park.
Operating three dive boats year-round, Oceans 5 requires a team of seasoned, trustworthy captains. These are not just boat drivers—they are guardians of the sea, keepers of safety, and often the first to spot dolphins, mantas, or changing currents. Each captain brings a unique story, years of experience, and a quiet professionalism that makes Oceans 5 what it is: a dive center built on teamwork, trust, and passion for the ocean.
Yudi – From Compressor Room to Captain’s Chair
Yudi’s story is a testament to ambition and transformation. Long before he took the helm of a dive boat, Yudi began his journey behind the scenes, working in the compressor room of Blue Marlin on Gili Trawangan. Surrounded by the hum of machines and the hiss of pressurized air, he developed a foundational understanding of how a dive center operates—how crucial clean, safe air is to every dive, and how important unseen roles are in diving logistics.
But Yudi’s heart was set on the ocean. When he joined Oceans 5 Gili Air, he saw an opportunity not just for a job change but for a dream to unfold. Supported by the Oceans 5 team, he gradually shifted from land-based tasks to marine operations. Over time, he proved himself a reliable and capable hand on deck, earning the chance to become a full-time captain.
Today, Yudi navigates the waters of Gili Matra with calm precision. He knows the reefs by heart, can read the tide like a book, and understands the rhythm of diving operations. Divers who board Yudi’s boat often note how smoothly their day goes—on time, safely, and often accompanied by Yudi’s warm smile.
Kian – Carrying the Legacy
Kian is more than just a captain; he’s part of a legacy. The son of Tim Tam, the Divemaster Manager at Oceans 5 Gili Air, Kian has diving in his blood and salt water in his soul. He started working during the uncertain times of COVID, when the world was quiet, and dive boats sat moored for weeks on end. For many, it was a time of retreat. For Kian, it was a time to grow.
Learning from the ground up, Kian began his journey helping with anchoring, gear handling, and boat maintenance. Slowly but surely, he earned his place behind the wheel. With his father’s years of experience guiding him, Kian absorbed not only the technical skills but also the ethos of professionalism and responsibility that define Oceans 5.
Now, Kian is one of the youngest captains at the dive center—but you’d never guess that from the way he operates. Confident, respectful, and with an instinctive feel for the sea, he represents the next generation of local leadership in marine tourism. He’s already proven himself capable of handling everything from morning dives at Shark Point to late afternoon pickups at the harbor.
For Kian, every trip is a chance to honor his father’s legacy and build his own. In a place where many dive professionals are transient, his long-term commitment stands out. Oceans 5 is not just his workplace; it’s his home, his history, and his future.
Fajar – The Silent Leader
Fajar is the definition of quiet strength. With a calm demeanor and a deep respect for the ocean, he is the kind of captain who doesn’t need to speak much to be heard. His leadership is shown in action—in how he prepares the boat before sunrise, checks the anchor line, and coordinates with instructors without missing a beat.
Before joining Oceans 5, Fajar worked at another dive center alongside Yani. The two became a well-oiled team, trusted by colleagues and divers alike. When Fajar moved to Oceans 5, it was a natural step forward. His knowledge of the dive sites, weather patterns, and local currents made him an instant asset.
But what sets Fajar apart is his quiet sense of duty. He remembers who prefers to enter the water backward roll or giant stride. He adjusts boat positions for easier pick-ups after drift dives. And when things get a little rough—high tide, changing winds, or last-minute site changes—Fajar remains a steady presence.
Among the other captains, Fajar is a natural mentor. Newer crew members watch how he handles situations, how he reads the waves, and how he places diver safety above all else. In the water, you can feel the result of his experience: smooth boat rides, accurate timing, and zero stress.
Yani – The Captain Who Dives
Yani is the most recent addition to the Oceans 5 captain team, but he’s already making waves—both figuratively and literally. What makes Yani unique is not just his skills behind the wheel, but his drive to learn everything about the dive world, not just the surface.
In 2024, Yani decided to take his diving journey further. While working as a full-time captain, he enrolled in the Divemaster Internship at Oceans 5 Gili Air, becoming one of the few captains on the island actively training to become a professional diver. Balancing work with education isn’t easy, especially when your day starts before the sun and ends only after the last diver is back on land. But Yani does it with dedication and humility.
By learning diving theory and assisting instructors underwater, Yani deepens his understanding of what his passengers experience below the surface. This makes him an even better captain. He now understands the importance of site orientation, current direction, and surface interval times from both a boat and diver perspective.
Colleagues at Oceans 5 often comment on Yani’s positive energy and willingness to help, whether it’s loading tanks, fixing a fin strap, or assisting with dive briefings. For him, being a captain is more than driving a boat—it’s being part of the full dive journey.
Why Four Captains Matter
With three dive boats operating every day, Oceans 5 Gili Air depends on a flexible, knowledgeable team of captains. Weather, tides, equipment logistics, and group schedules mean that having just one or two captains would never be enough. Having four experienced captains provides not only coverage but consistency.
Each captain brings something unique to the table. Yudi with his mechanical knowledge and warm approach, Kian with his next-gen energy and family legacy, Fajar with his steady hand and deep site knowledge, and Yani with his hybrid perspective as both captain and divemaster candidate. Together, they create a seamless system that allows Oceans 5 to deliver high-quality diving experiences daily.
Their collaboration goes beyond boat driving. They inspect safety equipment every morning, brief the divemasters about boat conditions, check marine park permits, and coordinate with the office when weather shifts. They are also trained in emergency procedures, oxygen administration, and diver recovery.
Safety First, Always
Safety is the cornerstone of diving—and the captains at Oceans 5 know this better than anyone. Every boat trip begins with a roll call, confirming the names, nationalities, and marine park status of each diver. This procedure isn’t a formality—it’s a critical step to ensure that every person who boards a boat returns safely.
Once on the water, captains monitor the sea for changes in tide and wind. If an unexpected current or condition appears, they quickly contact the office to adjust the dive plan. During dives, they stay on alert, watching bubbles, noting diver entry and exit points, and always keeping an eye on the drift lines.
In many ways, the captains are the silent supervisors of the entire operation. They’re the last ones to leave the dock and the first to respond when something doesn’t go as planned. Without them, no dive would begin, and no diver would surface in comfort and confidence.
Guardians of the Gili Matra Marine Park
Oceans 5 Gili Air is located within the Gili Matra Marine Park, a protected area that requires all operators and visitors to follow strict conservation and safety rules. Every diver must pay a marine park fee, and every boat must operate under regulations enforced by the Indonesian government and local marine authorities.
The captains of Oceans 5 play a key role in upholding these regulations. Each morning, before departure, they receive the official roll call form from the office—complete with names, nationalities, and marine park fee confirmations. This is sent directly to BKKPN Bangsal, the governing marine authority, ensuring full transparency and compliance.
Their commitment to operating within these rules not only protects the marine park but also strengthens Oceans 5’s reputation as a responsible and environmentally aware dive center.
The Unsung Heroes of Every Dive
When a diver surfaces smiling, it’s easy to credit the instructor, the dive site, or the marine life. But behind every successful dive is a captain who positioned the boat perfectly, managed surface conditions, and was ready for anything.
Yani, Fajar, Yudi, and Kian might not give briefings or teach courses, but they are the backbone of daily operations at Oceans 5 Gili Air. They make sure tanks are loaded, schedules are met, divers are safe, and the boats return home like clockwork. They are often the first to arrive at the dive center and the last to leave.
As Oceans 5 continues to grow, innovate, and expand its offerings—from conservation programs to instructor development courses—it’s these captains who keep the heart of the operation running. They may not always be in the photos or on social media, but every diver who steps onto one of Oceans 5’s boats owes their unforgettable experience, in large part, to these four captains.
Conclusion: More Than Just Captains
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the captains are more than boat drivers. They are safety officers, mentors, environmental stewards, role models, and friends. Whether it’s guiding a boat through challenging swells or helping a nervous diver find their courage, they do it all with humility, skill, and passion.
So, the next time you gear up for a dive, take a moment to thank the person at the helm. Because without Yani, Fajar, Yudi, and Kian, Oceans 5 wouldn’t be the same.
They are the captains of the ocean—and the silent heroes of every dive.