If you noticed in my recent blog post remembering my cadetship days, I didn’t mention people who helped me in my journey. I need to create a whole new blog post dedicated to teachers and mentors of ours in the maritime industry. Because no ship captain or chief engineers reached the pinnacle of their career without those who molded them and fed them valuable knowledge. So more as a fresh cadet who wish to embark on his first vessel or a rating who keep doing some of the toughest job around or a junior officer who worked their way up to be promoted and use their hard-earned license. Behind all this drive in a sailor’s life lies mentors and teachers who imparted their knowledge unwillingly without a cost.
To all teachers in uniform and all members of maritime school who picked us up during one of the most confusing times of our lives. Can I do this? Can I embark on a ship? What ships looks like? My God I do not know nothing about ships!! – They laid the most basic foundation that we need to know during those times. And from then on, we slowly build something out of it. For that and for many other things not mentioned, Gracias.
Then we came to know random seafarers in boarding houses or dormitories or in training centers who basically give us pieces of the puzzle about what seafaring life looks like. Really? That’s the life there? What about this and that? How do I do things like that? Some of our reactions to some guy sharing his experiences at sea. Now for a newbie who doesn’t embarked a ship yet, this is a bit intimidating. They open up more questions that we need to answer ourselves that can only be found when we experience what has been shared to us. From then on, we kept it at the back of our minds as reference check to what reality holds onboard. Arigato!
RELATED: Remembering the Days – Cadetship Years with NSA
To Boatswain, deck and engine ratings who were there for us when we saw a larger-than-life challenge ahead. Embarking on a ship for the first time is a huge challenge but thanks to our ka-tropa on deck and engine who thought and showed us good examples of good seamanship, taught us the actual deck and engine works and took us from a newbie to a full pledge seafarer. They’re the ones taking care of our “baby steps” onboard. For this, we salute all ratings who help, teach, mold and create young and aspiring would-be captains and chief engineers.
To deck and engine officers who thought us with what they know about ships and port operations, machinery and maintenance, troubleshooting, etc. Just by observing you doing your job means a lot to us thinking someday somehow we will be in your shoes. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and experiences to us.
Without them and all our loved ones who continuous support, we will just be an ordinary guy in the corner. But no, they propelled us to unprecedented heights that we thought we will never attain. I cannot say no more but thank you. Now it is our turn to mold new and aspiring maritime personnel. Do not worry, we will take it from here. In behalf of all seafarers onboard and ashore, a whole hearted thank you to all of you. May you inspire and change more lives ahead as what you have done to us.