Category Archives: LIFE ON BOARD
Music on board
During my voyages at sea, I always love to attend outdoor or indoor parties where a lot of music is sung, played or just listened to. Filipinos are very fond of music and most of them are really good at it, as well. At home, during vacations, and at work – at sea or everywhere – Filipinos always include music in their everyday activities because music is a very important part of their life. Filipinos sing along the karaoke machines in the privacy of their homes, accompanied by relatives or friends, or sing in the karaoke bars which are so numerous around the country.
New Year’s Eve party on board ALS Fauna
My 16th voyage at sea started on the 27th of December in the port of Singapore with a new vessel to join, belonging to a new company. I had been looking forward to joining ALS Fauna since the beginning of my husband’s contract (the month of October), but, little by little, week by week, my joining was postponed due to various reasons. Finally, when all approvals were received and everything was prepared for my journey – including documents, papers, plane tickets and booking accommodation – our good vessel was delayed in the port of Durban and the arrival in Singapore delayed as well. So, after spending 4 days alone – including Christmas – in Singapore, waiting for the vessel’s arrival, I was finally able to board the ship two days after Christmas.
Baptism Ceremony on board CV Centaurus
The first Baptism ceremony I have ever attended was my own. It took place during my second voyage at sea, while crossing the Equator, from North to South, under way to the island of Mauritius. It was planned and arranged by the Montenegrin captain who acted only as an observer, but put his idea into action, with the help of the Filipino crew.
A day adrift (Voyage CV Centaurus)
Today is just an ordinary day of drifting outside the port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Everything around is calm and silent. The visibility can reach 24 miles. The city lies 15 miles ahead and I can figure out the shapes of its skyline. With the binoculars the image is even clearer. A few miles astern I can see the island of Zanzibar, a tropical paradise for those in search of pristine white beaches, palm trees and underwater marine life. I wouldn’t mind spending a few days ashore on this amazing strip of sand, but today I feel like I have everything I need right here and I am absolutely happy.
A new beginning
After 10 years of happy and safe voyages on board Hansa vessels (which had to come to an end due to the company’s closure) and after 12 months away from the maritime life – partly because of personal reasons and partly due to my husband’s finding a new employer – here I am again, starting a new adventure at sea, on a new vessel and for a new company.
Christmas on board HS Columbia
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. I guess you already know the lyrics of one of the most famous Christmas carols ever written and I really hope you listened to it during Christmas time – at home, with your family and friends or on board, together with your fellow seafarers.
A special birthday on board HS Onore
Celebrations of any kind are meant to be shared and enjoyed with the people you love – in the middle of your beloved family or among friends and relatives. Unfortunately, seafarers are not always so lucky.
Easter celebration on board HS Onore
Religious holidays are to be celebrated at home, among families and friends, in the usual routine which keeps us closer to our beliefs and connected with our community. We can go to church or take part in other outside religious ceremonies, we can have festive meals with our extended families or just enjoy the day in any traditional way we are accustomed to.
Halloween party on board HS Bach
Many people consider Halloween a children’s holiday or just a foolish way in which adults behave like children, but it is nothing wrong in this. Adults should never forget how to have fun and how to enjoy perfectly harmless children games in order to keep their spirit young as long as possible. Moreover, leisure and fun activities are always welcome on a vessel where people work many hours continuously without the prospect of enjoying peaceful and rewarding evenings in the warm and cozy environment of their beloved homes.
Incident report HS Bach
I do not like to speak about accidents and bad weather while travelling, but I have to say a few words about a small incident which took place on board our vessel a few days ago. One of the reasons I am doing this is for the lesson everybody learnt from it – regarding ‘safety first’ while working. It is very important that all the seafarers pay a lot of attention when doing any kind of work, keeping themselves safe and not putting any other’s life at risk. I hope the lesson was learnt and we will all be a little more aware of everything happening around us and we’ll never forget the most important rule of seafarers’ work – ‘safety first’.
