The Seaman's Journey

Seaman's Poem

2009-04-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the net one Thursday morning and found this simple short poem from http://ofw-bagongbayani.com.

Kung may sariling tula kayo na maibahagi para sa lahat, pakisulat lang sa komento ng artikulong ito.

SEAMAN

Noon ay sabik ka sa pagbabalita
Ayon sa telegram
tanggap na't sa Linggo
ang iyong simula;

Ngayon ay sabik kang matanaw ang lupa
Kalaban sa barko,
hindi pagod kundi
ang pangungulila...

Marina SIRB Express Application System (SEAS)

2009-04-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

SIRB Express Application System

SEAS or the SIRB Express Application System is an information technology program by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), aimed to produce a much faster processing of SIRB application forms. It’s good news, for the seafarers, for new applicants, and for renewals of seaman’s book. This program is in team-up with Filipinas Teleserv, Inc. (FilTeleserv) as the company developed the SEAS service.

Finally, Marina has come-up with a good program to lessen the hassle of the application, and ease the burden of people wanting to apply for seaman’s book, especially for the new applicants. Both the new and renewal applications for SIRBs can now be done without having to proceed to the Marina office at Trida Building in Taft Avenue corner Kalaw, Manila. Seafarers now have a big comfort and saves time in their SIRB application. It is an action made by Marina that is highly favorable to the people who wanted and need to apply for SIRB.

Napakalaking tulong nito sa ating mga marino. Biruin nyo, noong pumunta ako sa Marina at mag-apply ng Seaman’s Book ay binigyan lang ang mga aplikante ng form at may nakakatatak doon na petsa tatlong linggo pa mula sa araw na yon. Ang buong akala ko’y sandali lang ang pagkuha ng SIRB, ‘yon pala ay i-schedule ka pa ng dalawa o tatlong liggo pa. Ito raw ay dahilana sa napakahabang pila ng mga applikasyon at mayroon lang yata silang limitasyon sa loob ng isang araw na ipoproseso na SIRB.

It’s really a good new for all of us seafarers na mayroon ng ganitong hakbang na ginawa ang Marina. At least, maibsan na ang pagkainis ng mga marino na pumipila sa loob ng Trina bldg. para makakuha ng bagong SIRB.

TESTA COC FINALLY RELEASED

2009-03-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

Finally, I was able to get my Certificate of Competency (COC) as a Messman at TESDA Manila. The competency exam was taken by me two weeks before this release. As of this time, COC will be I think is the last certification I will be getting.

COC FEE

I don’t expect that still there is something that I’ll be paying when this paper is released. During the competency exam, the assessor did mention about this. All I thought is that when I get there and handed the competency receipt copy, there will no added fee for it because we are already paying for that at the center. This is not clearly explained at the assessment center. They are not telling that aside from the assessment fee, trainee will be paying 50 pesos COC release fee. I think this is also what happened in the other assessment center because there’s one mariner whom I talk to and he’s from other assessment center. And also did not expect to be collected by TESDA fee again.

THE UNITS OF COMPETENCY

> These are the units of competency written in the certificate

> Preparing food

> Maintaining cleanliness in the accommodation areas

> Performing victualing services

> Performing dining hall services

> Maintaining galley equipment & utensils

> Taking precautions to protect marine environment

> Launching lifeboat/liferaft

> Performing survival techniques during ship abandonment

> Preventing and fighting fire

These units here written are the overall summary of the two previous trainings that a trainee is required before he take the assessment for the position as a messman. The last 4 units written here were taken during the Basic Safety Training (BSC/PSSR) course. And the first 4 units written were taken during the Messman Course training.

The certificate’s validity good for 5 years and after these you need to renew your certificate. That is if you’re still working on board in the same position as messman.

TESDA COC ASSESSMENT

2009-03-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

COC is the must have competency test for every man or woman wanted to work on board ship. It is a skill test of a kind of position that you’re aiming for to work with on board. I don’t know if how many are there positions TESDA have, but I think in every position there is a corresponding competency test.

Before you can take the assessment test, first you must complete the training course for MESSMAN. The training course is just a short course which only takes 4 days to complete. And the cost for this is around P2,000 up, really depend on the training center where you enrolled the course.

THE ASSESSMENT CENTER

There are many assessment centers that you can choose from to where you are going to take the competency test. And I believe that assessment centers have their own cost of payment. I heard that every center differ its test fee. I don’t know how true this is because I was not able to inquire from other centers.

The assessment center that I choose to take the test was at Blue Horizon Training Center. This is where also I complete the messman training course.

REQUIREMENTS IN TAKING THE TEST

For applicants in positions steward (chief), cook (chief, second/asst/cook), MESSMAN, waiter/waitress, bartender, housekeeping/cabin steward.

I. Performance (new)

1. 2 application forms (properly filled up)

2. 3 ID pictures Passport size, White background, White polo shirt with collar.

3. 2 copies of Medical Certificate – TESDA, DOH, POEA accredited, downloadable certification from TESDA, and valid for 3 months.

4. Training certificate on BASIC SAFETY COURSE/PSSR and messman course / stewarding course / culinary course (whichever is applicable)

5. If with work experience – Training certificate on: messman/stewarding/culinary course (whichever is applicable) – 2 copies.

6. Seaman’s Book (SIRB)

7. SRC – 2 copies.

II. TESDA FEE

Note: Bring all the original documents.

I paid P800 when I applied for the assessment test after filling up the 2 application forms together with the photocopies of all necessary requirements. After I pay the corresponding fee, I was then informed of the available exam schedule. After choosing an exam day, I was told to come back on my chosen schedule.

Sunday Shipping News (03/15/09)

2009-03-17T01:42:00.000-07:00

Overcapacity Of 10,000 Vessels In Shipping Industry

The global shipping industry is said to be facing the problem of over-capacity in ocean vessels. It estimates that up to 1,000 are lying idle.

In a startling assessment of the current situation, Det Norske Veritas said that the number of cancellations was likely to rocket over the coming months. These cancellations are the cut of “number of orders” to ship builders. The Norwegian class society has seen 43 of its own vessels canceled over the year.

DNV said that if by 2013, if the global economy remained stagnant, there could be over 3,000 ships scrapped, 1,444 canceled and over 6,000 ships either in lay-up, slow steaming, or idling.

This is happening in effect to the crisis of the global economy. If the world economy continues to decline, the figure of 10,000 vessels could skyrocket to 12,000 after 2010. But, if the economy is to increase, there still could be an overcapacity of ships.

Japan Sends Navy To Join In Somalia For Anti-pirate Patrols

Japan is sending its two naval vessels to Somalia to join the international patrols who are securing the sea near the area in the Gulf of Aden. The Japan’s action is to help protect the cargo ships passing around the area. These patrols of international naval ships are aimed to curb attacks of pirates which are getting more and more serious in the past months.

Patrols of navy ships, for mariners, are a big help and relief to their navigation in and around the Gulf of Aden. It will certainly help bring down the number of attack incidents from a peak of 37 in November 2008 to 7 in the month of February.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that “Piracy is a treat to the international community, including Japan, and its issue that should be dealt with immediately. It is the government’s important responsibility to protect the lives and property of the Japanese in these waters, which are an essential marine traffic area for our country.”

Japan’s dispatch of these navy vessels makes it easier for other naval ships patrolling around the area. The number of navy ships patrolling in the gulf is increasing as China also sent its naval ships a few months ago. Now, over 18 countries are helping to solve the piracy in and out of the gulf, as it is considered as one of the busiest shipping areas in the world.

PSCRB Training

2009-03-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

What is PSCRB?

PSCRB stands for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat. At this training, we learned about Safety Guide Lines, Ship Emergencies, Abandoning the Ship, Personal Lifesaving Appliances, Rescue Operation, Life Boats, Life Boat Launching Devices / Appliances, Life Rafts, Location Aids, Signals and Signs in an Emergency.

There are lots of topics covers on this training, about 10. These are the topics I’ve mentioned above. But, are these topics all been tackled during the whole training session? Yes, but as what I had recalled was that some of the topics were not teach thoroughly, that’s what I think on my part. Maybe it’s because of the type of instructor. The teaching, I think really depends on the kind of teacher or instructor, on how he/she best delivers the topics.

My Instructor

Maybe, I was not lucky at that time to not been assigned to a good instructor. Our teacher at that time was boring. Sorry sir ??, but at that time, I see him doing not so good and not able to dig a certain topic to a point that none-marine course graduate trainees can understand. He was just too boring teacher (for me.)

The Training Sessions

The lecture session of this training took 3 days to finish and about 5-6 hours lecture each day. On the fourth day is the practicum day in which all trainees including that of other sections in the same batch will be doing the actual exercises about PSCRB. This is where the fun and excitement on what we will be encountering at time when we’re on board the ship.

After all, this training is just a little background on all trainees who are planning to go on board a ship. But, also it is important to not just take this training on an easy way. Who knows, one day when you’re on board and encounter the actual situation and you don’t know what to do just because during the training you did not give much attention on what the trainers are teaching. The important thing is that after you finished the training course, you can consider yourself as competent. If we have the knowledge on the topics, understand what we’ve learned, and apply what we have acquired at lecture sessions, then we can consider ourselves a competent one.

Competent = Knowledge + Understanding + Practical

This training is really about SURVIVAL where seafarer struggles to stay alive in time of emergency and when life is threatened on board a ship.

My Basic Safety Course or BSC/PSSR

2009-03-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Mabuhay!!!

The Basic Seaman's Course

BST or basic seaman's course is the first program for any Filipino, man or woman, who wanted to work in a ship abroad. I enrolled this course at Far East Maritime Foundation, Inc. This is not the first time that I'd to take this course because 2002, I have had taken this course already during the time of my first interest in working in cruise ships.

What is this BST?

This is an eight-day course consisting of four different modules.

1. Elementary First Aid - the trainee should be able learn how to take immediate action upon encountering an accident or medical emergency on board.
2. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting - trainee will have the knowledge about fire prevention. He is able to take appropriate measures for the safety of all crew and of the ship.
3. Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities - trainee will be able to know about marine pollution which is prevention of pollution in maritime environment and about effective human relationship on board.
4. Proficiency in Personal Survival Technique - Trainee will be able to react in a correct manner during emergency situations. Be able to use survival equipment correctly for his survival and to the survival of other crew and passengers.

The whole period of the course was full of fun. Our batch mates consist of professionals from many fields. Some are ex-abroad and I think there are eight of them, mostly from the Middle East working in hotels and restaurants. Some also are in the field not really related to maritime work including me.

What is important in this training is that we the trainees should be able to perform what we've learned during the training period, I hope so. What the ex-crews are saying is that the situation when your on ship already is very different, but at the least we have already the knowledge and skills we can apply on board.

Huh! Ang hirap mag-ingles. Ngunit susubukan kong sa ingles ang aking mga ilalathala dito.

Maraming salamat sa lahat ng makakabasa sa unang artikulo kong ito.

Kung mayroon kayong nais sasabihin (maganda man o hindi) ay huwag mag-atubiling magkumento sa aking mga inilathalang mga artikulo.

Hello World!!!

2009-02-23T01:37:00.000-08:00

Hello!!!

Welcome to the blog of not a mariner, but now will be working in a vessel at sea.

This blog is all about the experiences of a Filipino who is working as a SEAMAN.

The articles posted here will be all about my experience from the start of my quest of being a seaman working in a ship traveling around the world.

Hope you enjoy reading all the articles posted here.

ERIC