About The Author
Gibi
Gibi is a seasoned seafarer with a remarkable decade of sea service. His maritime journey has predominantly unfolded in the waters of the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Bay of Biscay, and the Mediterranean on board tanker vessels.
His love for the mesmerizing beauty of the night sky, reading in front of the endless ocean, going on shore leaves at ports, and the serene drinking moments under the full moon is immeasurable.
The delightful steak and ice cream combo is a Sunday tradition he eagerly looks forward to.
As a seafarer, Gibi has amassed a treasure trove of stories and experiences waiting to be shared. His knowledge and hands-on expertise about the jobs on board has helped many fellow seafarers especially cadets to further their learning. He’s sharing his experiences now using this blog.
Presently, he has ventured into the realm of WordPress development, specializing in Search Engine Optimization.
If you aspire to elevate your website’s rank on Google and set sail for success, don’t hesitate to check him out on his LinkedIn profile and drop him a message.
12 Signs That You’re Dragging Anchor and What to Do About It
Every seasoned seafarer knows how precarious a dragging anchor can be. It's one thing that keeps captains awake at night, especially when the weather gets bad, and you're anchored close to the shore or with other vessels nearby. If your anchor drags, it's not...
How to ACCURATELY Calculate Your Anchor Swinging Circle
Throughout my sailing career, I learned two different ways to calculate the swinging circle of a ship while anchored. The first method is quick but less accurate, while the second is more precise. I emphasized "ACCURATELY" in all caps letters because I've seen how the...
How Much Anchor Scope is Needed? We Break Down the Formulas
All ships, no matter how big or small, have anchors installed to firmly fix the vessel's position when needed. With this, they must also know the proper scope of the chain to attain maximum holding power. It was my first anchoring on the bridge when our captain asked...
MARINA-Approve Assessment Centers for Ratings & Officers 2023
Assessment Centers, or ACs, are maritime institutions accredited and approved by MARINA to conduct practical assessments. Practical Assessment is the method used to assess a candidate by giving a close-to-reality situation on board where they must apply their...
30 Different Types of Buoys Known in the Maritime World
Various types of buoys play an indispensable role in the maritime world. They serve as important markers and signs that seafarers use to navigate the seas, channels, and fairways. There are so many kinds of them, but these distinctions help mariners discern the...
15 Things You Must Do 5 Days Before Joining Your Ship for Work
Working on ships is totally different from working on land. You are cut off from the rest of the world when you’re out there in the middle of the ocean and you can't do anything in case some problems happen. For peace of mind, you need to do these things before...
Converting Arc To Time and Time To Arc The Seafarer Way
Time and arc conversion has been around for many years, even before “push button” technologies existed. The relationship between the two holds immense significance in navigation, where sailors use them in their voyages. But because of our modern equipment today, it is...
Voyage Planning Stages, Guidelines, and Best Practices
Voyage planning is one of the most important ship operations, and all vessels transporting cargo from one port to another must have a voyage plan before sailing. On the surface, you might see this simply as drawing lines on charts or ECIDS (Electronic Chart Display...
List of Active Shipyards in the Philippines 2023
Shipyards play a significant role in the country's robust industries of shipbuilding and repair. Our location and volume of shipping activities make it ideal for this business to prosper. With thousands of domestic and international vessels sailing around our...
Ship’s Particulars: Definition, Importance, Examples, & More!
If you're starting as a deck cadet on your first vessel, chances are, your initial task listed in your Training Record Book (TRB) is to find the ship's particulars and fill in those details on one of the pages. And if you're a ship enthusiast who wants to know more...
What is a Ship’s Air Draft and How to Best Calculate It
A ship’s air draft, sometimes called air draught, is an important measurement to consider when planning a voyage. It is one of the factors seafarers check if their vessel can safely navigate within harbors where suspended obstacles are present. While the regular draft...
What You Should Do If You Become the Ship Security Officer
Being a Ship Security Officer or an SSO can be a challenging job. You're not only required to perform your regular tasks but also in charge of the vessel's security, whether at sea or in port. This role is so important that in order for the ISPS Code or the...
How to Write an Application Letter for Seafarers – Tips & Examples
Writing an application letter has become one of the most critical steps in securing a maritime job. This is true, especially for fresh graduates who are just starting out. If you want to get ahead in applying for any position on board, crafting a well-written...
Third Officer Duties and Responsibilities: The Ultimate Guide
A Third Officer is a crucial member of the deck department on board merchant vessels. As a licensed mariner, his duties and responsibilities are extensive and critical to the safety and efficiency of the vessel's operations. The fundamental aspect of his job is...
Bonded Store and Slop Chest in Ships – What’s the Difference?
The first time I heard about a slop chest on board our vessel was when I was a deck cadet. Knowing the meaning of slops and slop tanks which are storage for wastewater, I never thought it was a store of some sort. I pictured a chest full of dirty coveralls and...
Seafarer Packing List – What to Bring When Joining Your Ship
Every time you join a ship for work, it's always a must to bring all the necessary items in your luggage. I know the pain of realizing that I forgot useful items upon reaching my cabin and that’s why I created this seafarer packing list to help you as well. You...
Filipino Seafarers Rejoice! Canadian Ships Now Open to Pinoy Seamen
Thanks to a new reciprocity agreement between the two countries, Filipino seafarers can now work on Canadian merchant vessels. This means that Filipino seamen with valid STCW certificates can now work on Canadian-flagged ships. They don’t need to undergo...
Accredited Medical Centers for Seamen & OFWs 2023
Accredited medical centers play a crucial role in the employment of our seafarers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). They are responsible for conducting pre-employment medical examinations (PEMEs) and periodic medical examinations (PMEs) for our “heroes”....
31 Fire Fighting Equipment On Ships & Where to Find Them
Fire presents a serious threat aboard vessels. It can spread quickly and cause extensive damage, putting the lives of crew members at risk. That's why it's essential for ships to have adequate fire fighting equipment on board. The type of extinguishing equipment...
Ultimate List of Seafarers’ Centers in The Philippines
Seaman's centers are non-profit organizations that provide support and services to seafarers. Here in the Philippines, they are usually located near port areas and within the city making it easy for seafarers to access the services they need. I’ve been to many...
15 Ways Your Nearest Seaman’s Club Can Help You As a Seafarer
It’s not your normal club. A Seaman’s Club is a great help for seafarers visiting foreign shores. In fact, it's their home away from home and an ultimate ally in a place where they may not know anyone or anything. I heard a story of a seafarer who met an accident on...
