If you stay long enough in your seafaring profession, you begin to see and experience crazy and unexpected things. This happened to me in a form of a promotion. And who doesn’t like one? Well, if you were just living a carefree life on board and didn’t care much about...
Marine meteorology is a branch of science that studies weather and climate as they apply to the ocean and the coasts. Studying the phenomenon happening at sea is very important. For one, the ocean comprises a huge part of our work environment. 70% of the earth’s...
The Department of Migrant Workers now accepts registration for OFWs and seafarers. They use the same platform from the POEA online services portal. There are two ways to access your records. One is thru registration and the other is migration. As per most experiences,...
The DMW eRegistration Account is the newest version of digital platform for migrant workers. Seafarers, OFWs and those planning to work abroad are required to register an account in this system. But before we dive into that, let us first take a look at some...
The Department of Migrant Workers is a newly-created agency dedicated to our modern heroes. It is the government’s arm for protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families. This department was realized when PRRD signed the Department of Migrant Workers Act...
Today, processing your Certificate of Proficiency and Competency (COP/ COC) is easy. You only need to complete the requirements in your MISMO account. Everything is done online. If you compare it more than seven years ago, everything in MARINA was a disaster. Imagine...
Advanced fire fighting is one of the required training for seafarers wishing to work on board. According to the STCW Convention, the course is mandatory to every master, mate, chief engineer, second engineer and officer of a watch (OIC). It is recommendatory to...
The ocean is not for the faint-hearted. And that’s where heroes are made. Since 2007, the IMO awarded individuals who displayed exceptional bravery at sea under extreme situations. These people put their lives on the line to rescue others in distress or prevent a...
Seafarers tie knots everyday. From mooring, securing to working aloft, those jobs won’t be complete without the use of ropes. And because we use ropes in many forms and sizes on ships, knot tying is a skill every seaman must learn. Even my 65-year old Captain knows...
Becoming a ship captain involves lots of sacrifices in time, money and effort. The process is challenging because the job of commanding a vessel is serious. Due to that responsibility, the master of a ship is compensated greatly compared to other crew. A ship captain...
If you want to learn how to steer a ship, ask the people on board. They are more than ready to help you. However, theory is good but experience is something else. Being the person on the wheel teaches you many things. Being a helmsman can be very challenging. It's...
Understanding helm orders and rudder commands is one of the requirements in becoming a good helmsman. Since a vessel’s organization may constitute different nationalities, the IMO standardized oral commands for delivering wheel orders. If you plan on steering a ship,...
A Helmsman is a very important member of the bridge team. Even with today’s modern technology, Captains still prefer helmsman for steering the ship during channeling and pilotage. With this inclination, the room for human error remains which is basically 75% to 96% of...
Maltese flag bulk carrier Julietta D collided with tanker vessel Pechora Star off the coast of Ijmuiden, Netherlands on January 31, 2022 at around 0940H UTC. Storm Corrie was battering the area. Around the anchorage area are wind farms. This looks like a recipe for...
Warships are vessels constructed for naval warfare by the government of a sovereign nation. Their main function is to protect a country's territory and nautical assets. They detect, deter and destroy any threat that intends to harm its sovereignty or its allies....
Inert gas system is one of the most critical component of a tanker vessel. Vessels using inert gas in their tanks are enjoying the benefits of safe operation against fire and explosion. No smoking on deck, no naked lights, intrinsically safe equipment only and always...
Tanker ships or commonly known as "tankers" in the maritime world, are special kinds of vessels designed to carry liquid cargoes in bulk. Anything of liquid form can be transported through these ships. Since there thousands of various liquid goods out there, there are...
Seafarers and OFWs are modern day heroes. Our remittances help not only our family but country as well. Thus, our government initiates different programs like cash assistance, financial projects, accidents and disabilities and welfare to help them in many ways. Either...
New Year holds a special place in our heart. The holiday season brings everyone much closer as relatives and friends gather near to celebrate the coming of a new era. Seafarers aren’t different. We are normal people too and we enjoy family gatherings. It’s the most...
Crossing the equator should not be a big deal. This imaginary line is nothing special it only marks the boundaries of the northern and southern hemisphere. If you cross there, nothing really happens. You don’t get young, turn old or grow some scales. I remember...
With their latest advisory, the Maritime Industry Authority( MARINA) further extends the validity of STCW Certificates up to December 2021 or December 2022. This could be a surprise for you but let’s dissect what the latest MARINA Advisory No. 2021-29 is telling us....
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,...
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...
SSS Salary Loan is a program of our Social Security System allowing members to borrow a portion of their contribution for a short term cash need. It is the most availed loan program of the SSS. Between January 2019 to August 2019, SSS released more than Php26.33...
As seafarers restart their career this year, many are in desperate situation for that single piece of card presumably required for embarkation. Well, I guess everyone already knows what we’re talking about. Its our Seafarer’s Identity Document or SID. And we all know...
Its the holiday season. As what we always here, its the most wonderful time of the year! But could this be also true for seafarers who spend Christmas on board? Throughout my seagoing career, I celebrated nearly half of it at sea. Some were pleasant while a few were...
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