Having power and electricity is vital for ships to function at sea. It does not matter if it is a small yacht or a huge supertanker. They need energy to run and reach their destination safely. Hence, seafarers perform maintenance schedules for all the machinery and...
If you think that a deck cadet is an indispensable part of the shipboard organization, this will disappoint you. They may be an essential solution for the shortage of competent officers but these apprentices are not "must haves" on board. Sounds ironic? Let's keep...
A ship's combination ladder is a setup where a pilot ladder is used in conjunction with an accommodation ladder to facilitate the embarkation and disembarkation of marine pilots. Since ladders are the only means of access on board, their proper rigging is always an...
I must admit. Embarkation ladders were one of the most confusing nautical terms I encountered in school. These two words, simple as they are when separated, got me puzzled when combined. Partly because, the term "embarkation" in the most nautical sense, usually...
You might be rigging pilot ladders for many years already without knowing that your methods may not be correct. As a matter of fact, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) studied 3,322 pilot boarding arrangements and discovered that 13.43% of them are...
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...
If you think that using a ladder in a breathtaking setting only happens in movies, think again. The shipping sector also has this kind of struggle especially because the only access to a ship is by means of a ladder! Whether alongside, in the anchorage, or at sea,...
The Maritime Industry Authority headed by Atty. Hernani Fabia sternly considers reviving the much controversial Management Level Course for Filipino Officers. According to the new Administrator, there was a finding by the Independent Evaluators that there is no...
One of the most important firefighting components on board is the International Shore Connection. They are small but useful and have, what a like to call, a “VIP” (Very Important Purpose) status. It is very essential that even the big A’s may come looking for them....
Emergency towing-off pennant or commonly known as “fire wire” is a long wire deployed on the side of a tanker ship. One end is firmly secured on the bitts while its eye on the other end is hanging one to two meters above the water line. Ships use fire wires...
Chipping and painting are one of the simplest maintenance jobs on board any merchant vessel. I haven’t experienced a ship where this task was not on the menu during my decade of sailing. Actually, I was for most of the time, sailing on tanker vessels. And these types...
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...
When it comes to the prevention of marine pollution, SOPEP and SMPEP are at the top of the list. They are the vessel’s response plans and procedures in case you have a spill on board. You might have seen those big (sometimes small) yellow boxes on deck marked with...
A ship’s loading operation is a carefully planned activity where the cargoes are transferred from the shore terminal to the vessel’s cargo tanks. It sounds simple and it actually does. But unbeknown to most, it involves many moving parts from preparation to the...
If you watched many ship-sinking movies before, you might have already indirectly seen a hydrostatic release unit in action. Movies or news about a sinking vessel sometimes mentions liferafts, fully inflated but without anyone inside. You may already hear of rescuers...
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 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...
in the Bridge standing orders are set of rules that anyone on the bridge team must follow. It consists of guidelines aiding the Officer of the Watch in his decision making during navigation. Navigation looks pretty easy on the surface. However, going into the details...
The Chief Officer, also called Chief Mate, holds one of the biggest responsibilities on board. He is the second in command after the Master. That being said, he deputizes for the Master in the event of his absence or incapacitation. Being a Chief Mate sounds cool....
One of the many jobs seafarers should consider on shore is to become a Dean in a maritime college. Specifically, this profession suits management level officers and engineers. If you want to retire your sea life while taking advantage of your rank, seek a position of...
Nautical and marine graduates have other career opportunities available aside from becoming a seafarer. You don’t have to blindly follow the crowd and take the path most taken. Its already overcrowded and many gave up that idea due to desperation. Besides, we...
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...
The Master, as a shipboard manager, is in overall command of the vessel and personnel on board. Being the highest ranking person, his duties and responsibilities covers the whole ship. Technically, the Master is the "owner’s representative". He is responsible to...
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...
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