Seaman Memories

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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 that have yet to be...

Understanding the LRIT System Architecture & the Flow of Data

The LRIT system architecture might seem like technical jargon for seafarers, but its basic knowledge offers valuable benefits. While fully automatic on board, the LRIT, or Long-range Identification and Tracking system, has a massive infrastructure behind it. Here, we will...

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 ships. His concern was valid, and I can relate to it, especially on my first contract as a cadet in the deck department. Do you know that uncertain feeling when traveling...

Seaman’s Notes

Mariner’s Handbook

How Does a Magnetic Compass Work on Metal Ships?

How Does a Magnetic Compass Work on Metal Ships?

The two words that seem contradictory here are magnetic compass and metal ships. We all know that magnets attract iron, and a vessel is a huge block of metal floating on the vast oceans. But every merchant ship of any type employs a magnetic...

NavTex for Beginners: How Navigational Telex Works on Ships

One of the navigational tools seafarers use to keep them updated with the latest maritime safety information is NavTex or Navigational Telex. Even with ships using the internet and satellite communication, this equipment is vital on board and will still be in the...

Components of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

GMDSS revolutionized the way seafarers navigate the seven seas. Before its invention, a ship can not leave the port if its Radio Officer is absent. Since every communication was sent and received via Morse Code, Radio Officers were responsible for decoding the dots...

24 Seafarer Tips for Job Hunting, Life On Board, Signing Off, & Vacation

These seafarer tips I'm about to show you may be a little old-school or overly simple by today's standards. But they work and have greatly helped my career since I started sailing in 2009. Over the years, I refined them and saved which ones are working and timeless...

ECDIS Overview: Performance Standards, Components, Regulations, Brands

Seventeen years ago, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) released its second resolution, Resolution MSC.232(82), outlining ECDIS performance standards. At that time, many of us were skeptical about how this technology could revolutionize or ultimately become...