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Minimum Requirements of STCW Training Courses Per Rank

by | Last updated Apr 23, 2024 | Training and Certification | 0 Comments

Pursuing a career at sea requires extensive training and certification. The higher you progress through the ranks, the more courses you must take. If you want an overview of what training courses you must take for your future promotion, this article will guide you there. The...

21 Distress Signals That Indicate a Ship is Asking for Help

by | Last updated Apr 17, 2024 | Lifesaving | 0 Comments

Distress signals are among the most important communication tools on board every vessel. Because these emergency calls for help are universal, any seafarer should be able to tell that someone is in dire need of assistance. Over the years, the maritime industry has developed...

6 Most Commonly Used ICS Flag Signals On Ships

by | Last updated Apr 15, 2024 | Navigation | 0 Comments

Flag signals are one of the visual communication methods that many merchant vessels use today. Whenever ships visit a port, you will always see these rectangular colored cloth hoisted on the forward or aft mast. Also referred to as colors, seafarers use nautical flag signals...

Seaman’s Notes

Mariner’s Handbook

Chief Engineer Duties, Responsibilities, and Salary

Chief Engineer Duties, Responsibilities, and Salary

Last updated Feb 16, 2024

A Chief Engineer, also known as ChEng, C/E, or Chief, is the head of the Shipboard Engineering Department. He is responsible for all operations and maintenance of all engineering equipment throughout the vessel. Think of him as the marine...

24 Seafarer Tips for Job Hunting, Life On Board, Signing Off, & Vacation

These seafarer tips I'm about to show you may be a little old-school or overly simple by today's standards. But they work and have greatly helped my career since I started sailing in 2009. Over the years, I refined them and saved which ones are working and timeless...

ECDIS Overview: Performance Standards, Components, Regulations, Brands

Seventeen years ago, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) released its second resolution, Resolution MSC.232(82), outlining ECDIS performance standards. At that time, many of us were skeptical about how this technology could revolutionize or ultimately become...

What is a Gyro Compass? Parts, How it Works, Limitations

I still remember how I got deeply fascinated by the workings of a gyro compass on board. We were making a sharp alteration, and I pointed out that the compass card was spinning fast. Of course, it was not the compass card spinning but the whole vessel itself! The...

Marine Radar 101: An Essential Guide for Seafarers

For safe navigation and collision avoidance at sea, a solid understanding of marine radars is essential for every mariner, especially the Officers of the Watch (OOW). This equipment is undoubtedly one of our best navigational tools, but it’s only as good as its user....