“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
They see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.”

The Seaman's Life
A Seaman is someone who goes out to the vast oceans in search for pearls, treasures and the best place to live; only to find them when he comes back home.
He learns how little a person needs while at sea, not how much.
He believes that a smooth sea never makes a skilled sailor.

How to Identify Oil Tanker Sizes- Handymax, Panamax, Aframax, Supertankers
Oil tanker sizes and designs have gone through many changes over the centuries. The very first tankers were sail-driven. They were built in river River Tyne, England. There were no official regulations by that time. As long as it doesn’t sink or got caught on fire,...

List of POEA Accredited Manning Agencies in the Philippines
Our government manages a master list of POEA accredited manning agencies. It's all made available online and free to access. Illegal recruiters often prey on unsuspecting seafarers. Thus, knowing if an agency is well registered in the POEA database is the first step...

MARINA Training Institute (MarTI) Takes Off in the City of Smiles
The Maritime Industry Authority launches its academic arm, the MARINA Training Institute or MarTI, which aims to improve, modernize and streamline the country’s maritime education and training systems and reach its full potential. MarTi is located in a four-storey...

MARINA Approved Training Centers in Visayas and Mindanao
Training centers in Visayas and Mindanao regions prove to be helpful for seafarers since majority lives in provinces. However, there are only a few training centers in Manila which are able to build branches in those areas. This could be due to the fact that many...

Fighting Guns with Guns: Private Maritime Security Companies Who Protect Vessels Against Piracy
Using the services of private maritime security companies became well considered during the height of pirate infestations in the year 2009 to 2011. Since vessels are vulnerable to boarding in the high seas, the use of armed guards were an option in preventing attacks....

Blended Learning During My Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) adapted its training requirements for maritime institutions to include blended learning or hybrid learning. As I wrote on my other article, hybrid learning is a combination of online learning...