Seaman Memories
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Seaman’s Notes
When To Change From Ship’s Autopilot to Manual Steering
Transitioning from automatic steering to manual steering is a decision made based on a keen understanding...
List of Shipboard Drills and Their Frequency Schedules
Safety drills are regular practice exercises on board that ensure the crew's preparation and effective...
Top 20 Maritime Schools in the Philippines
I often receive emails from interested students asking about the best maritime school in the country. I...
Identifying Ship’s Lights, Shapes, and Sound Signals
While many ships today upgrade their navigational tools to the latest technology, knowing the lights,...
I Wrote a Message In a Bottle & Released It in the Middle of the Atlantic Ocean
I actually wrote three. But I don't know if the bottles or the messages inside survived. The bottle...
What is an Automatic Identification System (AIS)? Best Explanation
An Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a maritime communication technology that enables the...
Minimum Requirements of STCW Training Courses Per Rank
Pursuing a career at sea requires extensive training and certification. The higher you progress through...
21 Distress Signals That Indicate a Ship is Asking for Help
Distress signals are among the most important communication tools on board every vessel. Because these...
6 Most Commonly Used ICS Flag Signals On Ships
Flag signals are one of the visual communication methods that many merchant vessels use today. Whenever...
Mariner’s Handbook
10 Facts About Dali, The Container Ship That Hit Baltimore Bridge
Dali is a 300-meter container vessel that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. After the ship hit one of the concrete center pylons, the whole bridge collapsed, resulting in fatalities from construction workers...
First Time Onboard? A Comprehensive Guide to Joining Your Ship
I recently received a comment from a reader about the embarkation process and how seafarers join their...
38 Differences Between an LRIT and an AIS
LRIT and AIS have many differences, especially in their functions and the purpose of their installation....