Some people say it's all about the money. And for me, it's about the money too, along with 98 other things why I love working on ships. So on one starry night, with a cold beer in my left hand and a few more bottles behind me, this idea popped into my head. I...
The OFW Hospital is the country’s first hospital dedicated to Filipino migrant workers and their families now expands services while keeping its promise of free health care. This initiative came as a way of thanking our modern-day heroes, the OFWs, for their immense...
Effective February 01, 2022, the Inter-Agency Task Force no longer requires mandatory quarantine for arriving seafarers, OFWs, and other passengers. IATF Resolution No. 159 laid out new guidelines for entering travelers as long as they met certain requirements listed...
The Philippines continues to dominate the world’s seafaring market in a recent joint study conducted by BIMCO and ICS. While the Russian Federation persists in the second spot, Indonesia, China, and India respectively land in the third, fourth, and fifth place. Global...
Training centers in the Visayas and Mindanao regions prove to be helpful for seafarers since the majority live in provinces. However, there are only a few training centers in Manila and even outside Manila that are able to build branches in those areas. This...
Using the services of private maritime security companies became well-considered during the height of pirate infestations in the years 2009 to 2011. Since vessels are vulnerable to boarding on the high seas, the use of armed guards was an option for preventing...
Finding the largest shipping companies on earth is quite a bit of a challenge. At first, I thought this was an easy task. Just by thinking about the ships I see while sailing, it's deceiving to conclude the company behind them is the biggest. Sailing for more than ten...
A Bosun is an unlicensed head of the Deck Rating Department. He is primarily responsible for various deck operations on board. Generally, his job is to keep the vessel’s hull in good condition. Although he’s in charge of deck maintenance, he is also under the...
Arrival in Manila Summary Here is the summary of things to expect upon arrival in Manila. QR Code containing your personal info which is presented to the Coast Guard. Swab Test Immigration MARINA and OWWA Helpdesk Baggage Claim Everything will be explained below. Crew...
Dubbed eRegistration Version 2, POEA recently made a soft launch of their newest online platform for overseas workers. It replaces the old (well, not really) e-registration system we’re using. One of my readers commented on my previous “e-Registration how-to” article...
If you're looking for solutions on how to recover your MARINA MISMO account, you've come to the right place! I had a friend who forgot his whole account information while on board. He was planning to re-validate his Certificates of Proficiency (COPs) and decided...
Major players in the maritime industry are developing autonomous ships. Because of the exponential growth of today's technology, these vessels will sail in the not-too-distant future. We already have autonomous cars and remote-controlled planes. The shipping industry...
Meteor showers are one of the most fascinating objects to see in the night sky. These swift, beautiful, fiery fireballs are often difficult to encounter unless one has the patience to see them. I feel you. Just one distraction could cost a lifetime of remorse. It’s a...
Much has changed since I started my sailing career way back in September 2009. A few months more and I’ll be 10 years in this industry. Like many of you, I'm also considered heroes. Yet a few years longer and I’ll leave this pelagic life to the next generation of...
Seasoned seafarers know that having a C1/D US Visa is a huge plus for our employment. Most shipping agencies nowadays prefer to hire seafarers with Schengen Visa and US Visa. Both are very enticing to them, especially the latter one. However, it is not always glorious...
Seamen from different provinces usually stay in boarding houses or seaman’s boarding house dormitories when reporting to their offices. When it comes to choosing a boarding house, I always go for the amenities in relation to the rate they charge. Experience tells me...
Last February 2018, Seaman Memories had an exclusive online interview with a seawoman, Miss Hiroka. She is the first female Deck Officer in a Japanese Chemical Tanker ship. She told us how she conquered her profession which has been dominated by men since the...
The axiom “Captain goes down with his ship” is an old maritime tradition in the seafaring world. Perhaps, the most famous act was made by Captain Edward J. Smith of the RMS Titanic which sank in 1912. The Captain holds the overall responsibility on a ship. His...
There are false myths about seafarers that make them popular these days. Many people, especially the young ones, are attracted to this career. They perceive seafarers as wealthy, uncomplicated, cool, and leading an easy-going life. This is one of the wrong beliefs...
Seafarers nowadays demand frequent connection to their loved ones. The introduction of roaming SIM cards and WIFI internet made our world smaller and smaller as connectivity with our family became more accessible. Unfortunately, WIFI internet is not yet fully...
One of the most prestigious maritime scholarships in the Philippines or even abroad is the Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA) Philippines Cadet Program famously known as the NSA Scholarship. If you want to pursue a career at sea, applying for a scholarship is your...
Today is the Day of the Seafarer. It’s the day for all Seamen, Seafarers, Mariners, Sailors, Navigators, and Sea Dogs. We are called with different names by different people. We travel and move the world to go forward. There are no such things as too dangerous, too...
We can be the best if we will give our best. It's the first time I had an interaction with a known summa cum laude graduate coming from our profession. Many seafarer students are usually easy-going and carefree with this course. But not this guy. He has one of the...
POEA Online Registration System will replace the old Seafarer's Registration Certificate according to POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued guidelines on the registration of seafarers online in...
The seaman's life is a story of hardships, sacrifice, and hope. It is a story of people who have chosen to follow their dreams, even though it means facing great challenges. It is a story of people who are willing to put their lives on the line to keep their families...
You have completed all your training. You were able to vacation in Puerto Princesa with the whole family. And you even attended your child's graduation and purchased a new vehicle. Now, you need to return to the ship to work and earn again. Or if not, your relief is...
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