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...
Writing letter requests is one of the many formalities seafarers will eventually face. For one, these letters can be used to put into black and white that which was asked verbally. The most common on board are Repatriation letters, Extension letters, and Early...
A Second Officer is a deck officer in charge of a navigational watch (OIC-NW). He is also called the Navigational Officer since his job description centers on voyage planning and chart works. At other times, he is called a Second Mate. If the ship’s captain gives the...
An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) is a document that contains the record of your vaccination history. On a positive note, member states of the World Health Organization recognizes this certificate. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, seafarers and OFWs...
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 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 cover the whole ship. Technically speaking, he is the "owner’s representative". He is responsible to the...
Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Trinity Spirit exploded and sunk off the coast of Ukpokiti Terminal, around Excravos, Warri South-west, Delta State, Nigeria on Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2022) early morning. It is unknown how much she is carrying but...
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...
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...
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...
Clock changes are part of seaman’s life. The first time I heard about the ship’s time being retarded was, well, a bit confusing. How could time be retarded when it only ticks and doesn’t think? Then I learned that it will be moved backwards to comply with the Daylight...
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...
Clock changes are part of seaman’s life. The first time I heard about the ship’s time being retarded was, well, a bit confusing. How could time be retarded when it only ticks and doesn’t think? Then I learned that it will be moved backwards to comply with the Daylight...
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...
Coronavirus vaccines are now available in many countries especially in Europe and the US. In fact, they already started mass vaccination to flatten the daily rise of cases. Many countries are also slacking their quarantine measures as a means to restart the economy....
Using the services of private maritime security companies became well considered during the height of pirate infestations in the year 2009 to 2011. Since vessels are vulnerable to boarding in the high seas, the use of armed guards were an option in preventing attacks....
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...
[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Female" buttontext="Listen to this"] Heavy storms are one of the most stunning yet terrifying wonders at sea. Such weather disturbance claims the lives of many ships. Cruise ships, merchant vessels, aircraft carriers,...
A shipboard organization is similar to the government structure we have in our countries. Vessels have worlds of their own. They are like mini kingdoms having a very small population with each person holding specific duties. The duties vary depending on the crew’s...
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...
The Black Sea, mystifying as it may sound, is not really black nor with any sense of it. Spoiler alert: its waters are actually the same colors as any other sea or ocean. The word black may symbolize evil, disaster, or something supernatural. Black Magic, Black Death,...
When I tell this story to my friends, I always receive the same reaction. Imagine having your own swimming pool burning in flames! You wouldn’t believe it yet you’ll laugh it off too knowing that this happenstance sounds too stupid for real. This is not a joke, by the...
Meteor showers are one of the most fascinating objects to see on 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...
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