CASE STUDY ON A BULK CARRIER

FACTS

·         Subject vessel was employed on long-term Time-Charter and was further under a Trip sub-Charter during the material time. 

·         She loaded about 30,000 MT cargo comprising of 3 grades of bulk grain at a port in Argentina for discharge at Casablanca, Morocco.

·         No Surveyor was appointed by sub-Charterers or Shipper at the port of loading for Draft Survey.
Prior to and on completion of loading, the Vessel carried out draft survey as per usual practice and noted a shortage of 152 MT (being about 0.6% of total cargo loaded) as compared to Shore Scale figure.

·         The Master prepared a Note Of Protest (NOP) letter which was e-mailed to all concerned, including the sub-Charterers, Head-Charterers, Head-Owners and Port Agents (nominated by sub-Charterers).

·         Master issued CLEAN Mate's Receipts (MR) as presented by Shippers with cargo quantity as per Shore Scale and without any mention of Ship’s Figure as per Draft Survey carried out by Vessel.
Master further provided standard Letter Of Authority (LOA) to the Port Agents for issuance of Bills of Lading (BL) on his behalf. Amongst other things, this letter stated that BL to be issued “in accordance with MR”.

·         Accordingly CLEAN B/Ls was issued by the Port Agent on Master's behalf with cargo quantity as per Shore Scale.

·         Vessel arrived at discharge port in Morocco and had to await discharge berth for several days however on Vessel’s arrival at anchorage itself (and before vessel berthed or any Draft Survey could be conducted or discharge commenced), Cargo Receivers lodged a claim of US$ 36,000 on Head-Owners for alleged cargo shortage with quantity tallying exactly as per NOP issued by the Master at load-port, being the difference between Shore Scale and Draft Survey figures.

·         Incidentally, the sub-Charterer, Shipper and Consignee were all sister-concerns.

ANALYSIS:

·         Whether the Vessel is under Time Charter or further Trip/Time sub-Charter, the Bill of Lading is ALWAYS issued by the carrier (Vessel) who remains ultimately responsible for delivery of the cargo quantity/quality to the consignee/receiver/notify party named therein.

·         In this case, the Master issued a NOP but also CLEAN MRs without mentioning Draft Survey quantity which was short of Shore Scale quantity.

·         The NOP was Master's own admission of short receipt of cargo at load-port which the Consignees/Receivers used to their advantage at the discharge port in claiming damages from the Vessel/Owners.

WAY FORWARD:

1.       Cargo Quantity to be stated on MR/BL:

On receipt of Voyage Instructions from Charterers/sub-Charterers, the Master must check in it whether the cargo quantity to be stated on MR/BL would be as per Shore Scale or as per Draft Survey.

If not clearly mentioned in the Voyage Instructions, the Master must expressly check with Charterers/sub-Charterers on this account and seek absolute clarity.

2.       Draft Survey:

·         Sometimes Charterers/sub-Charterers/Shippers/Consignees arrange for their Draft Surveyors at the load and discharge port. When the Surveyor comes on board, and prior commencing the Draft Survey, the Master must seek his details (Name/Company) and which party is he representing. In such cases, the Draft Survey must be performed jointly (Surveyor and Vessel) and same agreed upon accordingly. The Draft Survey Report must be jointly signed by the Vessel and the Draft Surveyor, who must state all the details (Name, Company Name, Party being represented etc.) along with Surveyor's Signature/seal.

·         Should there be any disagreement between the Vessel and the Draft Surveyor, no efforts must be spared to resolve same amicably on board however should disputes remain unresolved,the Master must contact Owners immediately by telephone followed by sending full details by e-mail. It is important that Owner's P&I Club correspondents at the load port are immediately notified, either through the Owners or directly by the Master in case of emergency, and their attendance requested.

·         Even if no Surveyor is appointed by any external parties, Vessel must, in all cases, carry out Initial and Final Draft Survey on her own per usual, to determine cargo quantity loaded (at load port) and discharged (at disport).

3.       Discrepancy between Shore Scale Figure and Draft Survey Figure:

a)      At Load Port:

·         Though ideally both these figures must tally, it is not uncommon for there to be some difference between them.The reason for these could be many, such as Shore Scale not correctly calibrated or Draft Survey in error due to rough sea/swell conditions at berth/anchorage, etc.In spite of best efforts, if discrepancies do exist, same must be clearly stated on MR/ BL. However in most cases, it is a requirement to issue CLEAN MR/BL and the Shipper and/or Agents may refuse to accept MR/BL claused to such effect.In such cases and especially in every case when the discrepancy exceeds 0.5% of the total cargo quantity, Master must contact Owners immediately by telephone followed by sending full details by e-mail. It is important that Owner's P&I Club correspondents at the load port are immediately notified, either through the Owners or directly by the Master, and their attendance requested. The Correspondents are expected to be aware of and appreciate the local issues and are expected to effectively sort out the matter without compromising Vessel/Owner's position, and this needs to be done prior Vessel's departure from the load-port.

b)      At discharge port:

·         It must be remembered at all times that the Vessel/Owners remain responsible for delivery of cargo as stated in the BL. Regardless of the number of Charterers or sub-Charterers in the chain, nothing dilutes this position. This applies as regards cargo quantity/quality as also the party to whom it is delivered.

·         Vessel must NEVER break and commence discharging of the cargo unless in receipt of "duly discharged" ORIGINAL  BL or unless the Owners specifically instruct the Master to commence discharging in absence of ORIGINAL  BL on the basis of Letter Of Indemnity (LOI) issued to them by the Head-Charterers. A reminder message for surrender of ORIGINAL BL on arrival at disport must be sent by the Vessel to Port Agent several days ahead of Vessel's ETA at disport.

·         Total cargo discharged at disport may be arrived at basis either a Draft Survey or based on Shore Scale. Once again, the Draft Survey must show the cargo quantity to closely match the figure stated on the BL; else there could be Customs Penalties imposed on the Vessel/Owner (for mis-declaration as in case of excess cargo on board than stated on BL) or claims lodged by Receivers/Consignees on the Vessel/Owner (as in subject case of shortage of cargo discharged than stated on BL).

·         On completion of discharging, Vessel must obtain (1) Empty Hold Letter and (2) Total Cargo Discharged (quantity) Letter signed by Stevedores/Port Agents.

Should Vessel be presented with any letter(s) by Stevedores/Consignees-Receivers/Port Agents stating short discharge, Master must immediately contact Head-Owners by telephone followed by sending full details by email. Once again, in such cases, it is important that Owner's P&I Club correspondents at the load port are immediately notified, either through the Owners or directly by the Master, and their attendance requested. The Correspondents are expected to be aware of and appreciate the local issues and are expected to effectively sort out the matter without compromising Vessel/Owner's position, and this needs to be done prior Vessel's departure from the disport.

#pinoyseafarer

Someday I will see this place Golden Gate Bridge

There was once a boy who lived with his family in a hill. Before going to school, he need to put the farm animals in the pasture, eat breakfast, go to Daya (East) where the well was located to take a bath then must come back from the well with buckets of water for household use.

From their house on the hill, he walk a considerable distance to reach the elementary school. The sang-atan, steep dirt road, become muddy and slippery during the rainy season and dusty the rest of the year. Walking the sang-atan (uphill path) during rainy season was very difficult. If he chooses the path through Uncle Paeng's house, he will pass through thick forest. In some instances snakes are hanging on the trees and slithering on the ground.

Sometimes he bought farm produce to school to sell to the teachers to augment his pocket money or for buying his lunch meal. He usually wrap his school supplies in plastic bags before putting it in his bag to avoid getting wet by rain.

During those days, school notebooks front covers that can be bought in the public markets were those of movie celebrities, cartoon characters and famous places. He once have a notebook with the famous San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge as its cover. He said to himself, "Someday I will see this place."

Though the boy's dream of seeing the iconic bridge took years to realized, he finally can say to himself, "YES! I have seen it!"

P.S.

Bonus - Alcatraz in the background.

#pinoyseafarer 

original post from this link - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1623900460979644&set=a.417438611625841.82049.100000791176520&type=3 

San Francisco, California.

March 17 at 8:46pm · 

Happy New Year Kap, pautang!

Matapos ang Pasko at Bagong Taon tunghayan natin ang isa sa mga madas na usapan ng kapwa marino sa private message ng Facebook:

Marinong Nakabasyon: “Sir, Kamusta na? Saan po kayo ngayon? Happy New Year!”

Marinong Onboard: “Ok lang sir. Nandito kami sa Melbourne Inner Anchorage, naghihintay ng berthing schedule. Happy New Year too!”

Marinong Nakabasyon: “Sir, pautang.”

SEEN ZONED

Sino sa inyo mga kabaro ang nakakarelate sa ganitong usapan?

Una muna,  Happy New Year To All Seafarers and Their Families!

Ikaw na onboard na hindi nakapag Pasko at Bagong Taon sa Pilipinas ay kuntento na lamang sa pag like like at comment sa mga posts ng mga dating kasamahan sa barko na nakauwi. Ang dami nilang mga (selfie at groupie) pictures sa kanilang mga out of town or out of the country tours, pagkain sa mga mamahaling restaurants or handa sa kanilang hapag kainan. Masaya ka para sa kanila kasi kasama nila sa mahalagang okasyon ang kanilang mga kaibigan at mga mahal sa buhay.

Tapos na ang Christmas vacation, paubos na rin ang pera, marami na ulit ang nagbabaka sakali na makasakay agad kaya balik sa Pambansang Tambayan ng mga Pinoy Seafarers sa Kalaw Avenue na malapit sa National Library. Ang iba naman ay nag re-reach out na sa dating mga kasamahan sa barko. Ganito na lang ba palagi ang buhay ng mga marino? Ayaw ni Sir Arjay Magpantay, aka Pambansang Marino, ng ganyan.

Live within your means and within your seams.

Sa Filipino, “Kung maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.”

Hindi naman masama ang maglibang at maghanda, pero kung pagkatapos mong i-post sa social media ang mga pinaggagawa mo at ng iyong pamilya; tapos pagdating ng bagong taon ay mangngungutang ka, eh paano yan, buong taon kang mang-ngungutang.

Meron dyan, mabilis mang-utang, sasabihin kung anong buwan magbabayad, pero hindi sasabihin kung anong taon. Nagsama lang kayo ng ilang buwan sa barko pero ang utang, inabot ng ilang taon. Yun ang mga kabaro na nakahiram, pagkatapos makuha ang pera ay nagkaka-amnesia na sa kanilang pagka-utang.

Safe ba na magpahiram sa dating mong kasamahan sa barko? How sure are you that they will pay you back? Maibabalik pa kaya yung pera mo?

Above questions are difficult to answer. What I know is that, we, Pinoy seafarers trust each other when we are onboard. We rely on each other for the safe and efficient ship’s operations. We have each other’s back.

It is a totally different ball game when we are on land especially if we change company and then somebody from your previous company asked financial favor from you. Ang Pinoy pag nanghiram at hindi mo pinagbigyan, masama ka na sa kanya. Tapos iku-kwento pa sa iba na madamot ka, or worst sisiraan ka. Hindi naman siguro anticipated na may manghihiram kasi may pinaglalaan ka rin sa kinikita mo. I don’t know if this is only Pinoy phenomenon or other cultures do it too. Hindi ko alam ilan sa ating mga seafarers ang may budget allocation para sa perang pam-pautang.

Sabi ni Third officer na dahil sa papalit-palit nyang line up ay umabot ng isang taon bago siya nakasakay at kasalukuyan na tambak sa utang; makikilala ang ugali ng isang tao sa kanyang pagka- utang.

Lahat naman kasi tayo ay nakaranas mangutang, kung gaano mo pahalagahan ang iyong taong pinag-utangan ay ibang usapin na yan.

Marinong Onboard : “Sir, magkano po ba?”

Marinong Nakabasyon: “Sir, pwede 100K Php?”

Marinong Onboard: “Huh?! Sir, 10 k php maximum maibibigay ko sa iyo, may nauna na
pong nanghiram, eh.”

Marinong Nakabasyon: “Ganun po ba? Pwede pong makuha bukas? Kailangang-kailangan na
kasi.”

Marinong Onboard: “Sir, may work din po yung sexytary ko. Pwede po bang ipa-extra
allotment ko na lang this month?”

Marinong Nakabasyon: : “Sige po sir. Text ko yung bank details ko.”

Nakalagay sa US Dollar bill, “In God We Trust”

We trust then somebody trash that trust. Will you trust somebody again? Wow, hugot ba yun? Pang #Seaman’s Problem at #Seaman’s Guide ang dating. Kayo na lang po kumilatis sa manghihiram sa inyo kung worthy po ba siya ng ipapahiram mong “In God We Trust”.

Ito po si Pinoy Seafarer na nagsasabing: “Pag may sinuksok, may madudukot. Malamig pa naman ang panahon, switch off mo na ang aircon, para hindi ka na kailangang magkumot at mamaluktot. “

P.S. (Pahabol Sulat)

Ang financial New Year’s resolution ko ay maningil ng pautang. Overdue na Bes, paramdam ka rin pag may time.

Good luck, Good Health and God Bless Us All. Happy New Year!

#HappyNewYearToAllSeafarers
#PinoySeafarer


(Note: the graphic is a mashed up of images that were taken from the internet, no intention of copyrights infringement.)

Radyo OFW: Kaylan nyo balak mag ”For Good” na sa Pilipinas?

@HindiKilalangSeaman wrote on his FB post “Honestly if it weren’t for the 48 degrees Celsius and everything is written in Arabic, I could mistake that half of the population of the Philippines is here.” Here he was referring to was in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates wherein a sizable number of Filipinos are working on the oil and maritime related industry.

The job vacancy on the vessel that was assigned to me will be available around the month of October. While waiting for my next employment, I’m starting my preparation for the bachelor’s degree teaching job that was offered. I intend to attend a mentoring session to brush my knowledge on the subject matter. The training director asked me, “Mag for for good ka na ba?” 

Coincidentally, the questions for the day being asked on Radyo OFW last 04 August 2016 were “Ilang taon na kayo sa abroad? Kailan nyo balak mag-“for good” na sa Pilipinas?” The program host was Ms Hannah Seneres and I was invited as a guest.

The answers of our kababayans on how long they were out of the country were varied with two having been out of the country for 23 long years.  The first one replied “Ako, 23 years dito sa abroad for good early 2018 in God’s will.” While the second lady answered, “23 years na ako sa abroad, almost 16 years sa Singapore at mag 8 years na dito sa Spain. Ewan kung uuwi pa ako. Sa awa ng Diyos okay naman ang medical at social security benefits ko dito covered lahat basta legit (legitimate). Due to health problem hindi ko na kakayanin manirahan pa sa Pilipinas, gamot lang tiyak na tigok na ako in one year pag stay doon.” 

Other reasons opined around 5 to 10 years once they save enough capitals for the businesses they plan to do; if their children will graduate in college; built their own house; pay all the debt and bills, etc. One said “10 years pag natupad na ni President Duterte yung lahat ng mga mabuting ipinangako nya sa mamayang Filipino.”

For others it was difficult to plan for their retirement: “only God knows kasi kahit planuhin nating kung may ibang plano si Lord, wala din tayong magagawa.” 

Most of the answers were coming from land based workers. Seafarers due to lack of resources (most ships have no internet connection onboard) and awareness of the radio program cannot take part in this kind of survey. I hope that the voices of seafarers (or even their family) either on vacation or at sea can be heard too. 

Kaylan ba mag-fo-for-good na sa Pinas ang isang Pinoy seafarer?

Kung tayo ay pupunta sa tambayan ng mga marino sa Kalaw sa bandang Luneta, mapapansin natin maraming mga nag aabang ng mga bakanteng posisyon. Ang iba ay nahihirapan ng sumakay at isang malaking factor ay “over age”. Mayroon akong kakilala na isang ultimo (rating), na dahil sa kanyang edad, nahihirapan na siyang makahanap ng kumpanya na tatangap sa kanya. Bumilang ng ilang taon ang kanyang karanasan sa pagbabarko subalit ang kanyang edad ang laging nagiging hadlang. Dalawang buwan siyang gumastos para maghanap ng mapapasukan sa Maynila at nang naubos na ang pera ay umuwi na sa kanilang probinsya. Ang isa naman ay gumastos para mapataas ang ranggo nya bilang opisyal pero unemployed pa rin siya hanggang ngayon dahil sa kanyang edad.

Sa pananaw ng mga shipowners, isang liability ang isang marino na nagkakaedad na dahil sa stressful na trabaho sa barko, mas madaling magkaroon/dapuan ng mga sakit ang mga ito at hindi na kayang makipagsabayan pa sa mga makabagong teknolohiya na mga gamit sa barko.

Hindi isang usapin sa ibang bansa ang “over age” kaya huwag kayong magtaka kung ang mga ibang lahi na nakakasama nyo ay pang Jurassic age na pero sa Pilipinas may diskriminasyon, kaya dapat bago tayo mag edad ng 50, Pinoy seafarers ready ka nang magretire.

Ang Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP) sa pamamahala ni Captain Jess Morales ay may adbokasiya na tumutulong na paghandaan ng mga Pinoy seafarers ang pag-fo-for-good na sa Pilipinas. Nagkakaroon din ng buwanang meeting (usually done last Saturday of the month) para manghikayat at ipakilala ang ISP.  Ang mga marino na nagbabakasyon o kaya ang kanilang pamilya ay habang may panahon pa ay atupagin na natin ito.

Bilang isang Pinoy seafarer, isa sa paghahanda ko kung sakaling ako ay huminto na sa pagbabarko ay magturo sa kolehiyo para naman ang mga kaalaman ko ay maibahagi ko rin sa mga susunod na henerasyon na mga marino. Ang panggalawa ay dapat mabayaran ko na ang lahat ng mga insurances and other financial instruments na pinaglakagan ko ng aking mga pinaghirapan sa pagbabarko.

 Ang pangatlo ay gusto ko ring maging tagapamahala ng mga lupa at gawaing pangsakahan (Farm manager). Sa ibang bansa tulad ng Australya, ang mga magsasaka ang silang mayayaman na kabaligtaran sa ating bansa. Gusto kong makatulong sa ating mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay puhunan ng mga alagaing mga baka at sa iba pang mga bagay. 

Kailangan nating magtulunggan para paunlarin ang ating mga kababayan sa mga kanayunan. Sa isang lugar, mapapansin natin ang mga may malalaking mga bahay at mga anak na nakapagtatapos sa pag-aaral ay mas madalas yung mga may mga kamag-anakan sa abroad.

Yung mga kababayan kaya natin sa Fujairah, UAE na nakasalamuha ni @HindiKilalangSeaman, kaylan kaya sila mag fo for good na rin sa Pinas?

#PinoySeafarer

#RadyoOFW

#ISP

Radyo OFW Guesting with DJ Hannah Seneres

Enjoyed airtime with DJ Hannah Seneres of Radyo OFW. Salamat po for having me in your program. Missed the presence of her co-host "Ms. Bhing Gumamela" Comiso who personally invited to guest.

Day of the Seafarer 2016

(source - http://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/dayoftheseafarer/Pages/Day-of-the-Seafarer-2016.aspx)

Two-thirds of the surface of the planet Earth is covered by water. Statistics state that around 90 % of world trade is done by sea. Today, we are honoring this group of men and women who do the hard work in sailing (or running) the global economy.

In 2010, The International Maritime Organization (IMO), through The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), held a conference in The Philippines to update the existing code that will reflect the modern and the technological advancement in the maritime industry. The changes in the STCW were named 2010 Manila Amendments.

In addition, the treaty declared 2010 as “Year of the Seafarer” and nominated 25^th June of each year as the “Day of the Seafarer” through The Attachment 3 to the Final Act of the 2010 STCW Conference Resolution 19 with the heading Day of the Seafarer.

It stated among other:

“Recognizing fully the unique contribution seafarers from all over the world make to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole,

Recognizing equally the considerable risks seafarers shoulder in the execution of their daily tasks and duties in an often hostile environment,

Mindful of the deprivation to which seafarers are subject through spending long periods of their professional life at sea away from their families and friends,

It encourages Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer and to take action to celebrate it meaningfully.”

On the IMO website, the present Secretary-General Kitack Lim, who is from South Korea, said: “this year, on the June 25^th, the Day of the Seafarer, we are once again asking the people of the world to show their appreciation for the seafarers that quietly, mostly unnoticed, keep the wheels of the world in motion.”

Today’s celebration is on its 6^th anniversary. This year’s campaign theme is “At Sea For All”. This is to let the world know how and why seafarers are indispensable to all. Seafarers serve not just fulfilling their own professional career advancement or being partner of the shipping industry. The services they render and those products that gets delivered worldwide definitely affect everybody.

Mabuhay ang mga 

Pinoy Seafarers !!!

#AtSeaForAll #DayOfTheSeafarer #HappySeafarersDay #25June #PinoySeafarer

A Life That Matters

Picture taken in Constantza, Romania last 08 June 2015

When your age is numerically equal to the size of your waistline, it surely does need a serious deep reflection and ACTION! I’m going to celebrate my birthday onboard with my crew today. I will do my deep reflection later. Meanwhile, I would like to share a poem by Michael Josephson that I read way back in 2014. Tell me your thought about it. May God bless us all.

A LIFE THAT MATTERS

Michael Josephson

Live a life that matters

Ready or not, some day it will come to an end

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days,

All things that you collected, whether treasured or forgotten,

Will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, to-do-list will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won’t matter where you came from,

Or on what side of the tracks you lived at the end.

It won’t matter whether you are beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender or skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?

How will be the value of your days will be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought,

BUT HOW YOU BUILT,

Not what you got,

BUT WHAT YOU GAVE

What will matter is not your success, but YOUR SIGNIFICANCE.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what YOU TAUGHT.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, 

Or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others

To emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but YOUR CHARACTER.

What will matter is not how many people you knew

But how many will feel a LASTING LOSS WHEN YOU’RE GONE.

What will matter is not your memories,

But the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is

HOW LONG YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED

BY WHOM AND FOR WHAT.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s not a matter of circumstance, but BY CHOICE.

Choose to live a life that matters.

2nd National Forum on the Philippine Maritime Heritage

Greetings!

The Museo Maritimo of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies will hold a national forum on the Philippine Maritime Heritage with the theme “Akulturasyon, Tradisyon at Bagong Nasyon: Forming the Filipino Nation through and Tide” on September 29 to October 1, 2016 at the AIMS Tower, Roxas Blvd cor. Libertad, Pasay City.

Last year, Museo Maritimo took the initiative to organize the 1st National Forum on the Philippine Maritime Heritage wherein the participants were exposed only to a part of our maritime past. However, such an event is like a jigsaw puzzle, and in order to uncover more information, this second forum is being organized.

In this regard, we would like to invite your school’s history/social science faculty members and other interested faculty members and students from other departments to attend this forum.

The forum aims to serve as a driving force in promoting our maritime history and take part in nation-building through heritage awareness and cultural appreciation. It will feature series of lectures and paper presentations to be delivered by known historians and academicians.

Registration fee for professionals is Php 3,500.00 (Php 3,000.00 early bird rate until 15 September 2016). A discounted fee for students is Php 3,500.00 (Php 3,000.00 early bird rate until 15 September 2016). The whole package covers lunch (2), snacks (5), seminar kit, and Certificate of Participation. A special rate for group participants is likewise available.

Attached for your ready reference are the tentative program, poster, CHED Endorsement and registration form. You may contact us through 831-2467 loc. 310/331, 0943 -6078 -314, 0975 -8918 -858 or at museomaritimo@aims.ph

Kindly consider this our advance invitation.

Respectfully yours,

Ronel M. Gillesania

Executive Director

For Seafarers: It’s A Small World After All!

What is the probability that you will meet somebody you know like a Filipino former classmates/batchmates, friends, relatives or acquaintances in foreign places that your ship would visit?

In my previous ship, the third engineer met his kabaranggay which he hadn’t seen for a long time. The brand new vessel was still then in the shipyard in Imabari, Japan wherein his kababayan work as a welder.

My engine cadet was also very lucky. Our first trip then was going to California, USA. He met his distant relatives there when he went to go for shore leave. He even visited his relatives’ house.

I met my co-masteral student, Nelson Aplasca, in Veracruz, Mexico last April 2016. I visited his ship a few hours after berthing. Unluckily, their ship was damaged during the berthing operation. There was no rubber on the fender that ship’s hull hit. The tug instead of pulling, push it towards the fender. The damaged was repaired before it sailed to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

I had a quick tour on the ship and met some of his crewmates. The Ordinary Seaman (OS) I met on the gangway was a Chinese. Then on the ship’s mess hall I met their electrician who was from Ghana. The Chinese chief officer was in the ship’s office doing his calculation while the Pinoy captain was then busy doing the damage report. 

The next day, it was his turn to visit my ship. I invited him for lunch. Sunday’s lunch was vegetable salad, mushroom soup and steak with corn. He also checked the ship to see the navigational equipment and the cargo operation onboard.

However, not all coincidence meetings are happy ones, there are cases of uncomfortable and sad serendipitous encounter. 

May isang naikwento sa akin, nagkita ang magbayaw sa isang bahay aliwan sa Santos, Brazil. Nagkahiyaan pa ng unang magkita pero pagkatapos ng ilang minuto nagtawanan din sila. Nasabi kong naikwento lang sa akin kasi hindi ito first-hand account, meaning wala ako sa lugar na ginaganapan ng mga pangyayari. 

Another story wherein the seafarer met his sister in Singapore. They met in the anchorage. Ang alam ng seaman, DW (Domestic Worker) ang trabaho ng kapatid nya doon. Pag day-off suma-sideline pala ang sister as an AB (Akyat Barko). Nagalit ang seaman at sa kakahiyan niya sa mga kasamahan sa barko, binigay nya ang ipong pera para may pamasahe pauwi ng Pilipinas ng kapatid.

Some folks say that nothing is accidental or just plain coincidence.  So if you unintentionally meet somebody you know while you are abroad, whether it is a happy unforgettable encounter or an embarrassing (if-memory-could-be-erased) one, it must be a sign. What sign? That it is a small world after all, especially for us seafarers!

P.S. – I believe someone higher up is watching over us. There must be a purpose for these kind of chance meetings.

A Young Pinoy Seafarer’s Challenge: Love life or Career?

Most of the cadets I have worked with have inspirations before leaving the Philippines. And it is not just once that a cadet confides to me that his girlfriend (GF) want to get married once he comes back to the Philippines. Napapailing lang ako. Unang sakay pa lang ng barko, kasal na agad ang habol ni GF.

Ang pagmamarino ay parang showbiz yan. Pag inuna mo ang love life, pwedeng mag suffer ang career mo. Pag inuna naman ang career, makapaghihintay naman kaya ang irog mo? Eh kung pagsabayin na lang kaya?

Many did that to find out that it is an uphill struggle bearing the weight of starting a family with starting a career. A Pinoy seafarer before he becomes a full pledge certificated officer will have to finish many training courses. Sometimes he stops his training because the financial resources are already limited. This is especially true if he has to personally pay for his trainings and in single income family. Stop muna ang schooling, sakay ng barko tapos manghihinayang kung may opportunity na promotion na hindi nakuha kasi hindi naman kumpleto ang mga papeles nya.

Some ratings will save money for a grand wedding celebration instead of career development. Sabi ng kasama ko, “Kung gumastos ka ng half million pesos para sa kasal mo na isang araw na okasyon pwede ng i-pang down ng house and lot yun. Hindi ka na sana nangu-ngupahan ngayon.” Pero huwag ka, sya rin naman, nag iipon kasi beach wedding sa Boracay ang gusto ng fiancée nya.

A Pinoy seafarer should allocate at least 100,000 pesos for review, exam and training. Posfil Shipmanagement has a very good cadetship program because the cadets are limited to have an onboard allowance of 50 US dollars only and the rest of their money goes to their self-allotment  to be used only for their career advancement. The cadets are forced to save. Kaya pagnakatapos ang kadete ng isang taong apprenticeship nya, may pera na pang tustos sa kanyang review, exam and training.  

A seaman’s GF asked me if her boyfriend should change company since he cannot use his license in the company where they are both presently affiliated with. My answer is a big YES! Many ratings with officers’ licenses are stuck in their present companies that promise promotion. Since there are other senior ratings ahead of them with licenses too, their chances of being promoted are slim or it will take 3 recommendations from department heads or 3 more contracts to finish before they will be considered for promotion. This usually happens in established companies. Yung iba 5 years na ang license hindi pa nagamit. Tapos may balak na panukala ang Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) noon na pag hindi mo nagamit ang lisensya ng 5-years ay kailangan mo ulit mag re-training ka or worst mag-re take ng exam. (Yung re-take ng exam, hindi natuloy, eh yung re-training, tuloy ba? Guys, please update me. Thanks.) 

Kung gusto mong magamit ang lisensya mo, sacrifice your present well-paying job as a rating and venture to a pi-pitsuging kumpanya (Pinoy seafarers’ lingo which mean lightweight/low caliber). Mas mababa kasi magpasahod kaya mahirap kumuha ng mga opisyales pero mabilis naman ang promotion. Yung isang nakausap ko, sa domestic trade nya nagamit ang license nya. I just told her that her boyfriend should tell his intention to his crewing manager before leaving the company. Mag-paalam ng maayos. para kung gusto nya ulit bumalik sa company, welcome pa rin siya.

In our society, it is expected that the older siblings are the one supporting the studies of the younger ones. Iba pa nga, hindi lang mga kapatid ang pinagpapa-aral pati mga pinsan o pamangkin ginagastusan. Hindi tuloy makapag exam ang seaman para mapataas ang ranggo nya.

Yung iba naman pag nasa barko, may planong mag exam, pero nakakita ng sexy car sales representative kaya ayun naengganyo at nakabibili ng bagong sasakyan. Dahil monthly amortization, hindi makapagbakasyon ng matagal para makapag review, exam at training. Kailangan sumakay agad ng barko para may pang hulog. Ang bago nyang sasakyan? Iba ang gumagamit, hehehe.

Dr. Luz Dasmariñas, department head of AIMS Graduate School’s (GS) Masters’ in Custom Administration (MCA), meets the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of Navigational Watch of the ro-ro (roll on-roll off) ferry that the AIMS GS graduate students chooses for their ship’s bridge familiarization. He was not able to use his OIC license in the overseas trade but lucky enough to practice it in the domestic trade.

Love life or career? 

It depends on what is your goal. Some Pinoy seafarers like to become master mariner or chief engineer before the age of 30, Maaga silang maka-akto, maaga rin mag reretiro; while others want to start a family early.

Hint, pag tumambay ka sa Kalaw, (Pambansang Umpukan ng mga Seaman) sa may Luneta Park, ano ba ang laging in-demand na mga posisyon na hiring?

Start young, start right.

For a young starting Pinoy seafarer, are you going to concentrate on career advancement or padadala ka sa bugso ng puson.. este damdamin mo? The choice is yours. 

(Addendum: Here are the officers and crew comments after reading this article.)

Sabi ni deck cadet Earl De la Cruz, ”If you choose your career, love can definitely wait. If you choose love, opportunity comes once in a lifetime, your career will be…bulilyaso) J ”  

Second Mate William Gole added, “Some seafarers speak they have plan to take examination when they sign off. But even after 3 contracts they were still not able to take the exam because the budget is not enough. When you are married, your first priority will be the budget for the family’s expenses while on vacation. Some seafarers look for their fellow seafarers “dating kasamahan sa barko” with good hearts to borrow money for their examination. If they passed, they will look again for other persons to borrow money for training purposes. And if they were not able to borrow, they do Plan B. PLAN B is to report to the crewing agency office and ask to be lined-up. Hopefully, on his next contract, he will be able get extra money for next vacation to finance all training requirements for filling of Certificate of Competency (COC).”

hobolmaster: “If you choose your career, love can definitely wait.” A very concrete phrase and I always hear it especially on cadets. Now, I heard it again. I witness or let’s say I’ve worked with a cadet (earlier on his contract) that his dedication to his career is very strong and promising. But in a single moment, love starts growing strong than his dedication. Maybe because of too much promises they made together while on video call, hahaha, or he can’t control the feelings. Then when love problem struck like “the right one comes along”, career is affected (loco de amor) hahaha.. 

And there’s another love, love for families. We’re not asking this but you can’t avoid it, EMERGENCIES. Due to small allowance as a cadet or let’s say you’re a breadwinner, sometimes you don’t have a choice. You have to choose love over career to save your loved ones.(Nakaipit na pera pang exam hihiramin muna) In the eyes of God that is the right choice. So what would be the right thing to say when you start a career? 

For me, ang masasabi ko, It is God’s will. Diyos ang may-ari ng lahat ng bagay. Kaya sa awa at tulong Niya at sa Kalooban Niya maabot mo ang bagay na gusto mo. Of course work without faith and faith without work is dead. So work with faith. (sa lagi ko naririnig sa public address system sa barko “ I say again” ang sa akin lang.) WORK WITH FAITH!

PEME, Ready ka na ba?

Sample of a Medical Certificate

It does sounds like pabebe but there is nothing pabebe with PEME (Pre-Employment Medical Examination). You might have the skills and the voluminous training certificates tuck under your belt but if you are not going to pass PEME, then forget going abroad. Both aspiring and seasoned seafarers undergo PEME. For the first timers, it is the last hurdle to pass that can make or break your dreams: that of earning dollars and traveling to different parts of the world. And of course, you still have to pass through a bullet free Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) but that’s another story.

So what preparations should you do to pass PEME?

Fresh maritime graduates are mostly young and healthy people, thus, they do not have much of medical issues yet. I just hope you were checked for Ishihara Test for color-blindness before you started your maritime academic schooling because it will save you money, heartaches and depression. A very good friend of mine when we started as cadets carried lots of coins “barya” on his pockets before stepping on the weighing scale. It adds more kilos to his weight. He was underweight then. If you are underweight and you will have your medical exam soon… that is an option, hehehe.


Suggestion: If you are wearing eyeglasses, you need to bring at least 2 pairs onboard, masira o mahulog man sa dagat yung isa, may reserba ka pa.

Para sa mga datihan nang sumasakay, kung plano mong magbakasyon ng tatlong buwan, may 2 o 3 tatlong linggo ka na kumain at uminom ng gusto mo. Pagkatapos nun, maghigpit ka na ng sinturon. Dahil baka kapusin ka na sa budget, mag dieta ka na rin. Isama mo na rin buong pamilya mo. Tama na ang painom at fiestang kainan.  It is time to get medically fit once again.

Actually according to what I’ve read, which I can no longer remember where and when, you need at least 2 months to prepare to be PEME-ready. (Three-month vacation then 2 months preparation for PEME?! ) Kill joy (KJ) ko naman, alam kong hihirit ka kaya, sige 2 weeks prep(aration) na lang. Hopefully by that time, no more birthdays, fiestas and tambay sa kanto that will call you for a shot or two that will end up inumang magdamagan.

Give your liver a break! Isama mo na rin mga baga mo at buong katawan sa masasamang bisyo.

Sure it is your money (kung ikaw ang taya sa inuman, yung iba kasi malakas sa inuman at pulutan pero sagot lang ay pagiging bangka sa kwentuhan) that you are spending for those vices but that money and time spent with your katomas should be better well spent with your family. Ilang buwan ka na nga lang nagbakasyon barkada pa uunahin mo. Tubig at tsaa inumin mo bro.

Bawas-bawasin din ang yosi kung hindi mo kayang mag totally quit. Let your lungs heal faster by lessening your sunog baga habit. Mahirap sumabit sa X-ray, ikaw rin.

Eat natural and healthy food

Avoid junk and processed food. Instead of eating potato chips eat sweet potato instead. Huwag naman yung camote que na sobrang daming asukal. Nilagang kamote ang ipalit mo sa puting kanin na kinakain mo.  If you can’t live without rice, switch to brown rice instead of camote or white rice. Samahan mo na rin ng prutas at gulay para panlinis sa bituka. If you are too bloody lazy to chew your food, put it in a blender and gulp it! Wala ka ng rason para hindi kumain, este lumunok ng gulay at prutas. Parang Reboot ba ni Joe Cross (Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead).

Dahil thuma-thunderbolts na ang lolo (getting older) ka na, hinay hinay sa fatty and salty foods. Go for lean meat. Isaw, kwek-kwek, one day old chick, PAL, Adidas at iba pang street food na hindi kasama sa lean meat category kahit na sabihin mo pang pagkanipis nipis ng hiwa ng karne ng baboy na tinuhog for barbeque.  Iwas parekoy sa Hepatitis B, ikaw na lang gumawa ng sarili mong sawsawan kung hindi mo maiwasan bumili at kumain ng mga yun.

Sabi rin ng nabasa ko, taba ang nagbibigay ng lasa sa karne kaya pag lean meat ang kakainin mo lagyan mo ng herbs and spices para magkaroon ng lasa. Hindi naman kailangang magpagutom ka para lang makapasa sa PEME. There are many cookbooks that you can use as references for different healthy recipes or you can ask a nutritionist or if you can afford… hire a chef!

If you have weight issue, don’t worry you are not alone. You need cardio and strength training. Get your ass off that chair and start moving. Pag sinabing weight issues, bakit ang unang papasok sa utak ay overweight? Weight issue rin naman ang pagiging patpatin, hindi po ba? Nakakapagod at nakakagutom ang mag exercise ba kamo. Natural!!!

If you reach a certain age, you will need to pass stress-test which mean you need to spend at least 10 minutes on the treadmill. If you can do brisk walking, jumping jack and a little bit of jogging 20 minutes daily for two weeks before your PEME, that will suffice but if you need to lose weight, sad to say, you need to give more effort. Add strength training to burn more calories. Start with the basic, use your body weight. You can do plank, push up, chin up, tricep dip and squat then you can start adding bench press and other exercises with free weights. Don’t procrastinate on exercise kasi if you cannot find 20 minutes today, how sure are you that makakabawi ka at mag e-exercise ka ng 40 minutes kinabukasan?

Push Up Level of Fitness

  Age     Excellent     Average     Poor
20-29      54              35-44         20
30-39      44              25-34         15
40-49      39              20-29         12
50-59      34              15-24           8

I’m not an exercise expert. Just find physical activities that you enjoy like swimming, biking, hiking, mountain climbing or even working in your vegetable garden. Pwede ka ring maglampaso ng sahig gamit ang bunot at maglaba ng mga damit, mag plantsa, magbuhat ng timba na may lamang tubig para magdilig ng mga halaman at iba pang gawaing bahay. Otherwise if you have the budget enroll in a gym or invest in some gym equipments, pwede rin.

Have your prophylaxis done

Ano raw? Ibig kong sabihin, pumunta ka sa dentista at magpalinis ka ng ngipin. Pa pasta mo na rin yung mga dapat pastahan o pabunot ang dapat pabunot. Ask for a dental certificate before you leave your family dental office, you will need it to show to the medical clinic dentist. I suggest do your dental treatment a day before your PEME (at least a week or two kung may bunot para healed na at least).

Go and Donate Blood

Kumain ka na kamo ng kilo-kilong bawang.  One of the best ways to lower your blood cholesterol level and to renew the blood in your circulatory system is to donate blood. Nabawasan na ang cholesterol mo sa dugo, nakatulong ka pa sa nangngangailangan ng dugo. That is if you forego eating cholesterol rich foods from the previous weeks. Wa effect kung ang huling hapunan mo bago ka mag PEME ay bulalo at pinakbet na maraming sahog na bagnet (chicaron ng Ilocos)! Sigurado akong sasabit ka sa PEME. Nangyari na sa akin yun eh. So go pa-member na at maging donor sa Red Cross.


Fasting

May kadete akong kasama, tinanong siya ng nurse kung nag fasting ba siya bago pumunta sa medical clinic. Sumagot siya ng alanganing “Oo”.  Tinanong siya ng nurse, “Alam mo ba ang ibig sabihin ng fasting?” Sagot si cadet, “Hindi”. Nagalit daw ang nurse sa kanya, hahaha.

Ano nga ba ang fasting?

Yung iba nag a-after 6 diet. Hindi na sila kumakain pag nag 6 pm na. The logic is that physical activities after 6 pm don’t need further food sustenance. (Sampol: Pagkatapos mong makipagbalyahan para makasakay, na traffic ka, so nakaupo ka lang o kaya pag minalas-malas ka nakatayo ka sa MRT o bus).  Ewan ko kung effective ba ang after 6 diet kasi pag sa nagreport ka lalo na kung ang office ng crewing agency mo ay sa bandang Makati, mga after 8 pm ka na makakarating pauwi ng bahay. Sa PEME naman pagsinabihan ka na No Oral after 7 pm, hindi ka dapat kumain o uminom pag 7 pm hanggang kinabukasan ng umaga na makunan ka ng blood sample. Fasting ang tawag dun. Hindi po yun pag mamadali na maka-pumunta sa medical clinic, hindi fast-ing yun, hurrying yun (corny ko.)

Stool sample (Pasintabi po – NSWE – not safe when eating)

Merong nabibili sa mga drugstores na stool sample bottle (or container). Ang stool sample na ipapasa mo sa medical clinic ay pea size lang dapat. Ibig sabihin kasing laki lang ng monggo. Hindi dapat punuin yung lagayan. Yucky yung iba, sobrang dami ang dalang sample.  Meron akong kakilala, para makatipid sa lagayan pinaghalo nya ang ang stool at urine sample nya. (Don’t do that or else your sample will be rejected).

Sleep

Get enough sleep. One medical clinic prescribed to take 3 tablets of laxative the night before PEME. The purpose is to clean the digestive system. Dahil masunurin ako at first time ko sa medical clinic na ito, sinunod ko naman. First and last ko na yung gagawin. Why? I lose precious nap time because I keep going back and forth to the toilet. Hindi tuloy ako nakatulog ng maayos. (Note: Lack of sleep can raise your Blood Pressure). Sino kayang henyo ang nakapag-isip nun? Na-try nya kaya yung prescribe nya?

Be Ready for Psych Test

First thing they going to ask you when you will go for a Psych Test is if you ate already. Magtataka ka tuloy kung ano ang relasyon ng isasagot mo sa Psych Test sa pagkalam ng sikmura mo? Aba pag gutom ka, magmamadali kang sagutin ang mga tanong, pero kapag busog ka eh makapag iisip ka ng maayos. Ayus- ayusin mo rin ang pagsagot sa test at pag-drawing mo, bawal ang stickman at yung kulang kulang ang mga daliri sa mga kamay, walang tenga, etc.  Dapat kumpleto ang external body parts. Kwento ni Third Mate Richard Enriquez, noong nag pa PEME siya, Psych Test lang ang naipasa nya. Sagot naman ng isang kasama namin dito sa barko, “Mas mabuti na yun kaysa naipasa mo lahat tapos sa Psych Test ka bumagsak!” May tama ka!

There are some (unscrupulous) medical clinics that will say you have high blood pressure (BP). But everything will be okay after buying a month supply of medicines from them. So, you just need to show the receipt that you already bought those medications from their own pharmacy, okey na blood pressure mo (sana lang hindi ka na high blood sa inis sa kanilang panloloko).

Yung iba namang clinics, hahanapan ka talaga ng sakit. So tendency mo magpapa-second opinion ka sa ibang doctor. Pero no bearing at di nila accepted yun kung ang result ay taliwas sa kanilang diagnosis, ang rason nila hindi naman daw approved ng association at medical clinic nila yung doctor na pinuntahan mo. Mapapakamot ulo ka na lang at tatanunggin ang sarili mo, “Hindi ba lahat ng certified doctors ay members ng Philippine Medical Association (PMA)?“

Marami pang ibang diskarte para kumita sila sa mga mandaragat pero ayokong tumaas ang BP mo sa pagbasa ng sinulat ko, kaya, relax and enjoy your PEME. Go through the experience. Pero sana lang tignan ito ng ating mga mambabatas at mga nakaupo sa DOH. Kung yung mga nagpapamedical na mga OFWs papunta ng Saudi at Middle East napatigil ng pamahalaan ang monopolyo at decking system ng mga clinic ng Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Approved Medical Centers Association  (GAMCA), sana lang tignan din ang hindi magandang kalakaran at pang-aabuso na ginagawa ng nga medical clinics sa aming mga seafarers.


Sample of  PEME Package offered by clinics and required by some manning agencies:

1. Complete Physical Examination
2. Psychological Examination/Test
3. Optical test and Visual acuity
4. Dental Examination
5. Urinalysis
6. Chest x-ray
7. Fecalysis
8. Complete blood count (CBC)
9. Blood typing
10.Color vision (Ishihara Test for color-blindness)
11. Audiometry
12. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
13. Fasting blood sugar
14. Hepatitis B Antigen
15. VDRL
16. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
17. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
18. Blood Chemistry (SGOT(AST) / SGPT(ALT) / Alkaine phosphatase / Bilirubin / Total Protein BUN / Creatinine Cholesterol / Tryglycerides / Uric acid)

Other Additional Tests:
1. HIV
2. Malaria Test
3. Drug & Alcohol Test
4. Stool Culture


List of Accredited Medical Facilities for Overseas Workers and Seafarers

Department of Health (as of May 20, 2015, check POEA website for new/updated list)
http://poea.gov.ph/ofw/ofw_clinic_may202015.pdf


Dagdag kaalaman.

Check your Medical Certificate for Service At Sea. It should contain information as per Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, Section A-I/9 Medical Standards

7.3 Declaration of the recognized medical practitioner
7.3.1 Confirmation that the identification documents where checked at the point of examination: Y/N
7.3.2 Hearing meets the standards in section A-I/9? Y/N
7.3.3 Unaided hearing satisfactory? Y/N
7.3.4 Visual acuity meets standards in section A-I/9? Y/N
7.3.5 Colour vision meets standards in section A-I/9? Y/N
          7.3.5.1 Date of last colour vision test
7.3.6 Fitness for lookout duties? Y/N
7.3.7 No limitations or restrictions on fitness? Y/N (If ‘N” specify limitations or restrictions.)
7.3.8 Is the seafarer free from any medical condition likely to be aggravated by service at sea or to render the seafarer unfit for such service or to endanger the health of other persons on board? Y/N
7.3.9 Date of examination: (day/month/year)
7.3.10 Expiry date of certificate : (day/month/year)

4. Details of the issuing authority
4.1 Official stamp (including name) of the issuing authority
4.2 Signature of the authorized person

5. Seafarer’s signature- confirming that the seafarer has been informed of the content of the certificate and of the right to a review in accordance with paragraph 6 of section A-I/9.

Bago ka pumirma nakasulat doon

I have read and understood and was informed of the contents of the certificate and of the right to review in accordance with paragraph 6 of section A-I/9 of the STCW Code.

Ano ba yung paragraph 6 of section A-I/9 of the STCW Code? Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, Section A- I/9 Medical Standards

Paragraph 6. Each Party shall establish processes and procedures to enable seafarers who, after examination, do not meet the medical fitness standards or have had a limitation imposed on their ability to work, in particular with respect to time, field of work or trading area, to have their case reviewed in line with the Party’s provisions for appeal.

source -http://www.evergreenmdc.com/images/peme.png

Ayon naman pala, pwede kang umapela kung may sabit ka sa medical. Pagkailangan ng gamutan pero kailangan mo ng sumampa, papaprimahan ka ng waiver.

Balitaan mo ako kung pumasa ka na sa medical exam mo, ha.


Disclaimer: The author of the article is an active seafarer and has no formal qualification in the medical profession. Views expressed are based on his own experience and that of others. The author shall not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided herein. He may be reached through his email at pinoyseafarerako@gmail.com. You can also join the discussion by leaving your comments below.

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