The term “we don’t have much time” has a literal meaning for us. We may want to spend our vacations just with families and friends, or doing what we love. But most of the time, we couldn’t. There are plenty things seafarers do on vacation that needs to be done for future employment.
In this blog, we will talk about what seafarers do on vacation that will definitely took their time away from their families. Being away for so long at sea isn’t easy. However, it is much worse if we are still far from our loved ones while on vacation.
In the context, we will list down all transactions, appointments and obligations that robbed us from spending quality time with our families.
This is what seafarers do on vacation…
As a seafarer and an OFW, it is a must that we have government-issued travel and legal documents. Some of these are the following:
Passport Processing/Renewal
Robbed Time: 1 day
Your “gate pass” to your port of joining and to the subsequent port calls of your vessel assignment. Without this, well, you can’t get out of the country in the first place.
Modernization has come and made a huge difference in processing time as well as its delivery. 10 years ago was a total nightmare. You can see your fellow aspiring OFW sleeping next to DFA offices’ doors in queue.
But thanks to government efforts to listen our burdens as OFWs and seafarers can avail of the quick passport renewal for seafarers and OFWs using OFW dedicated lanes. We set 1 day for this only since an applicant has an option to have the passport delivered in their home.
Seaman’s Book (SIRB) Processing/Renewal
Robbed Time: 1 day
This is just as important as the Passport. They’re like twins. The same fate as the passport renewal in the past years, seafarers line up in long queues. Hence, robbing precious time away from their families.
However thanks again technology for catching up! Starting late of 2018, Filipino seafarers starts to use MARINA’s newest online service. In this service, seafarers can choose when and where to renew their Seaman’s Book.
Both passport and seaman’s book processes nowadays is way much better than it was years before it.
Training Courses – Full course or Refresher
Robbed Time: 1 day up to 72 days
Maritime training courses is by far the biggest time robber of our dear seafarers. It can range from only 1 day (8 hrs) up to 72 days. It depends upon what course that they have to take.
In addition, they have to stay near or in direct access of transportation to their preferred training centers.
The training program as of this writing is somewhat streamlined and organized. For STCW related courses, new entrants take full course and then take only refresher every 5 years. Current seafarers will take updating courses to complement previous training courses. Hereafter, they will take refresher courses every 5 years.
When talking about career advancement, its a different story. Aspiring OICs and Management level examinees have to comply to MARINA’s examination requirements. We may find some of the training courses absurd or redundant, however, they are made to complement our maritime education curriculum taken before 2016.
Operational Level Courses (OLC) and Management Level Courses (MLC) are the modules that should have been included in our education curriculum way back when we were in school.
BSMT and BSMarE graduates of 2016 and above does not need to take OLC anymore. That’s an improvement, eh!
Visa Processing
Robbed Time: 1 day – 2 days
Every country has a different visa requirement for foreign entry. Some countries have made special visas for seafarers for their easy entry and exit. The most prized visas for seafarers are the US and Schengen Visa.
Processing time can run from 1-2 days once schedule is received. Your crewing officer will find the nearest available schedule for your first time application (appearance) and renewal (non-appearance).
This two visas will literally put you ahead of anyone else who does not have these. Majority of shipping agencies require applicants to be in possession of these two visas.
Pre-Employment Medical Examination
Robbed Time: 2 days – 5 days
Comprehensive medical examination for employment at sea is getting stricter and stricter. Hence, resulting in wide array of tests to be conducted. If all goes well, a seafarer can done this in 2 days.
If results are unfavorable, this can take up to 5 days in total robbed time due to follow ups, ongoing treatment and medications and clearances.
In some worst cases when an operation is required, you may lost even more time. But hey! Health is your best investment yet so don’t mind the lost time.
Filing of Examinations, COC/COE or COP
Robbed Time: 1 day
The results of MARINA’s online services prompts us to put 1 day as robbed time in this transaction. This is due to the fact that a seafarer can now finish this transaction within a day.
Compared to long queues few years back, this time is different. We may hear complaints to this transaction but to say, it is minimal.
With the help of review centers in filing for examinations, there is no doubt this can be done in less than a day.
With regards to COC/COE and COP, a seafarer can choose his or her desired schedule for verification and processing.
Unless your documents are incomplete or have a discrepancy, this can be a smooth transaction.
Review for Examinations
Robbed Time: 4 hours – 8 hours per day per 1-3 months
This might be questionable. Some review centers does not require their students to physically come to their review centers. There are some who don’t have such facilities.
As to my experience, i take the MLC from 6am to 2pm and then go to my review center up to 5pm. So that’s 11 hours robbed time for me! However, it was fine. I consider that as an investment for myself as you I increased my chances of earning more. Remember, investing in oneself always pay the best interest.
Company related events & In House Trainings
Robbed Time: 2-5 days up to a week (depends on schedule)
Crew conferences and events sometimes robbing us from precious time with our families. A seafarer can make a choice whether to come or not. However, due to courtesy, most of us do attend this events.
This range from Cadet Conferences, Ratings Conference, Junior Officer and Senior Officers Conference.
In house trainings are also being required by the company from its crew. Some of this are ISM related like Zero-Accident, Anti-Piracy Awareness, Safety and Security Awareness, etc.
In addition, when a company or shipping agency will introduce new standards or measures, they’ll organize an event to formally disclose this major changes.
Processing of Other Important documents…
Robbed Time: 1 day
This is usually the documents that are either company requirement or government mandated. Yellow fever vaccination, MARINA ID Renewal/Issuance, Computer-Based Trainings (CBTs) are some of this.
Finally, Dispatch and Departure
Robbed Time: 1-3 days
This painstakingly long process tops all the above mentioned items. Seafarers hailing from the provinces fly to Manila 2-3 days in advance of their departure flight.
This is because the final briefing and point of departure as per contract is Manila.
Good coordination from your crewing agent is vital. Confirmation to your departure is critical so that you’ll be in Manila at the nearest possible time for your departure.
Bid all goodbyes as it will be another 180 to 270 days out at sea.
Final thoughts…
Altogether, a seafarer’s total robbed time may average around 3-4 weeks minimum. There are events above that are not applicable to every Filipino seafarer. But given the timeframe, one could actually forsee how much time lost while on land.
For you to feel better, look it as your investing in yourself. You need to release capital (which in this case, your time) in order to gain profits (salary). So, all these are for you and for your family.
So be careful, be cautious on how and where you spend your precious time with.
As for our friends, please remember, seafarers came from a 180+ days of deployment, away from home and family. Yet, when they go home, they are not totally home. That’s just seafarers life are like.