Who We Are
A small company with deep water in its bones.
ombakstena began with a simple observation: most of the best moments in life happen when you slow down and let the view do the work.
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Founded on the water. Shaped by it.
ombakstena was established in Singapore in 2012 by two former merchant mariners who had spent the better part of their careers watching the city from the sea. They noticed that most people who lived alongside the water rarely spent time on it — and when they did, the experience was often rushed or poorly considered.
They put together a small vessel and a simple idea: offer private charters that were properly staffed, thoughtfully catered, and unhurried in nature. Word moved quietly through the HarbourFront community, and the business grew without advertising for its first three years.
Today, ombakstena operates three distinct charter experiences — each designed for a different part of the day and a different kind of occasion. The founding principle hasn't changed: put people on the water in good company, and let the surroundings do what they've always done.
What Guides Us
Our values show up in how we work
Honest by Default
We don't pad our descriptions. If a charter isn't suitable for your group, we'll say so before you commit. A well-matched booking leads to a better day for everyone involved.
Maritime Professionalism
Every crew member holds current MPA certifications. Safety briefings are part of every departure. Standards on the vessel don't flex depending on the occasion — they stay consistent.
Considered Hospitality
The food, the pacing, the conversation — none of it is left to chance. We think carefully about what makes a time on the water feel genuinely good, and we work to put those things in place.
The Team
The people on board
Ravi Subramaniam
Founder & Captain
Twenty-two years at sea before founding ombakstena. Ravi holds an MPA Master's certificate and has navigated commercial vessels across Southeast Asia.
Lin Nah Wei
Guest Experience & Catering
Lin trained in hospitality at Temasek Polytechnic and spent six years in fine dining before joining the team. She designs all the menus and manages charter logistics.
Ahmad Hafiz
Chief Deckhand & Safety Officer
Ahmad has been with ombakstena since the second year of operation. He oversees vessel maintenance, safety equipment inspections, and on-board guest orientation.
Standards & Safety
How we keep things right
MPA Licensing
All vessels and crew operate under valid Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore licensing. Certifications are reviewed and renewed on schedule, without exception.
Safety Equipment
Life jackets in multiple sizes, flares, first-aid kit, VHF radio, and emergency positioning equipment are inspected before every departure. Guests receive a safety briefing at the start of each charter.
Food Safety & Halal
All food is prepared by our catering team with SFA food hygiene certification. Halal options are available across all charter menus. Dietary requests are documented at booking and honoured on the day.
Weather Monitoring
We monitor NEA weather forecasts in the 48 hours before each charter. If conditions are unsuitable, we contact guests proactively and offer rescheduling or a full refund — no questions needed.
Vessel Maintenance
The vessel undergoes scheduled maintenance on Mondays, when no charters operate. Engine, hull, and electrical systems are inspected by a certified marine engineer on a quarterly basis.
Guest Privacy
We do not share guest information with third parties. Charter details, photographs, and personal information remain with our team only. Our full privacy policy is available on this website.
Expertise & Approach
A considered approach to private maritime hospitality in Singapore
Singapore's position at the convergence of the Malacca and Singapore Straits has made it one of the world's busiest maritime hubs. For those who live and work in the city, the sea is a constant backdrop — visible from offices, restaurants, and waterfront promenades. Yet time spent actually on the water remains, for most, an irregular and underconsidered experience.
ombakstena approaches private yacht charters as a form of hospitality rather than transport. The vessel is a venue. The crew are hosts. The route is shaped around the experience being offered, not optimised for speed or distance. This distinction shapes every decision we make — from the menus we plan to the hours we keep.
As a Singapore-based operator, we have an enduring familiarity with the southern waterway: the shipping lanes, the island anchorages, the way the light sits on the water at different hours. That knowledge allows us to choose routes and timings that make each charter feel purposeful rather than arbitrary.
We work with a small, consistent team. Guests who return — and many do — encounter the same faces, the same attention to detail, and the same willingness to adapt when something needs adjusting. That consistency is not incidental. It is the result of deliberate choices about how to build and run a small maritime business.
Come aboard and see what we mean.
Three charter experiences are waiting. Send us a message or call to discuss which one fits your group and occasion.
Make an Enquiry