Proud to be a Seafarer

16 Helpful Mobile Apps For Seafarers

Typhoon Yolanda's Survivors

To God Be The Glory

Chief Officer’s Hand-over Report

We hereby declare that on the date, time and port, the signing-off chief officer delivered his duties to the signing-on chief officer. An inspection of the ship has been carried out and next voyage instructions have been clearly understood.

During this hand-over the following items were delivered in the order specified below:

1. Cargo discharge/loading plan agreed between ship and shore or other ship.
2. Fire and pollution control equipment information.
3. Next voyage and instructions on board.
4. Cargo/ballast handling and monitoring equipment information.
5. Cargo/ballast measuring tools condition.
6. Gas measuring equipment condition.
7. Status of FFE & LSA/Medicines/Medical equipment/Safety officer’s records.
8. Ship’s stores and fresh water.
9. Bridge communication/navigation equipment.
10. Inventories (quantities/condition).
11. Company’s Quality/Health/Safety/Environmental management system information.
12. Crew changes.

Note: This is only the basic information for Chief Officer’s Hand-over Report. The actual hand-over form will be more detailed.

Master’s Hand-over Report

We hereby declare that on date, time and port, the signing-off Master delivered command of the vessel, together with all certificates, to the signing-on master. An inspection of the ship has been carried out and relevant entries made in the ship’s logbook.
During this hand-over the following items were delivered in the order as specified below.
1. Does the vessel have any major defects?
2. Do all main engine functions operate correctly?
3. Does steering gear and associated equipment function correctly?
4. Does navigation equipment function properly?
5. Does radio equipment function properly?
6. Catering, provisions and feeding rate information
7. Crew Status
8. Class Status
9. Chartroom management and QHSE management system
10. Financial Data
11. Vessel operations information
12. Cargo operation information
13. Pollution preparedness
14. Pipe lines conditions
15. Mooring equipment, mooring ropes and wires conditions
16. FFE and LSA conditions
17. Cargo equipments including Cargo hoses and fenders
18. Deck tools
19. Health and safety
20. Management meetings on board
21. Other/Miscellaneous
22. Medicines on board
23. Fuel oil/Diesel oil/Water
24. ISPS implementation
25. Operation’s Department related publications Note: This is only the basic information for Master’s Hand-over Report. The actual hand-over form will be more detailed.

Making A Better Community Starts In An Individual

Basic and quality education are very important. My wife is a public school teacher and I really feel how hard her job. Even at home she has to work for the school. Sometimes we made arguments about extensions of her job at home. She said even if without extra payments she must do it for the sake of her students. Sometimes she told me that some of her students has financial problems. Some will go to school without food to eat. I may suggest to give additional wages to government employees especially to teachers. On the other hand, we have decided to promote our advocacy to share a little part of our blessings every year. We will be giving away basic needs to some of our neighbors who are less fortunate depending of our budget. I am a seafarer and presently a Chief Officer of a tanker from the year 2012 but when I will be on vacation we don't have additional income. I can also figure out some seafarers who are not officers struggled with financial problems due to the government offices for seafarers and OFWs are far away and it takes more money to be spent. I also wish to extend branches of MARINA, DFA, PRC, POEA, NTC and Maritime Training Center in Bohol or other provinces. For the reason that when a seafarer will be on vacation he can still have more time to be spent in the family. Most of the trainings and documents will be taken in Manila or other places. I believe that seafarers or OFWs contributed a great help to the country. I wish my fellow seafarers to have more time of vacation to their families. I think one solution will be the extension of government offices for the needs of seafarers or OFWs. I am from Bohol and this is really one of the needs as a seafarer or OFW. Our family supports the people of Bohol who were affected with the earthquake. Together we stand Bohol.

Best Android Apps For Oil Tanker Seafarers

Abandonship Contingency Plan

The Master has already ordered to Abandon ship due to a casualty, which results to the loss of ship.

Actions to be taken:

1. Ensure that latest position of the vessel is known to the company - Master
2. Broadcast DISTRESS ALERT and MESSAGE on the authority of the master - GMDSS officer
3. Instruct crew to wear life-jackets and adequate/warm clothing - As per Muster list
4. Instruct crew to take extra food, water and blankets if possible - As per Muster list
5. Order crew to lifeboat stations/muster station - As per Muster list
6. Prepare to launch lifeboats/liferafts - As per Muster list
7. Consider to instruct crew to wear immersion suits - Master
8. Ensure that lifeboat sea painters are attached to the ship (where applicable) - As per Muster list
9. Activate two-way emergency radio telephone apparatus/test apparatus - As per Muster list
10. Embark all crew in the lifeboats/liferafts and launch - As per Muster list
11. Ensure lifeboats/liferafts remain in safe proximity to ship/in contact with each
other - As per Muster list
12. Commence survival procedures (including activation of relevant aids, such as
SARTS, pyrotechnics, radar reflectors, etc.) - Leader
13. Emergency lighting for mustering and abandonment shall be tested (SOLAS
chapter III/reg. 19.3.3.9) - C/E
14. Stop the VDR/S-VDR - Master
15. Retrieve and save data - Master

Ensure that officers and crew are well trained on abandon ship drill procedures as per SOLAS chapter III/reg.19.3.3.1

* Distress alert and the frequencies to be used can be found in Bridge Procedure Guide (Annex A6/Part A) available on board.

Substitutes:
Master - Chief Officer
Chief Officer - 2nd Officer
2nd Officer - 3rd Officer
Chief Engineer - 2nd Engineer
2nd Engineer - 3rd Engineer
3rd Engineer - 4th Enginner

Seafarer's Family Advocacy

Share Our Blessings

We want to extend every year what we have started to share a part of our blessings to our less fortunate neighbors. We are encouraging persons who are willing to share their blessings too. Thank you for your help.

H2S Hydrogen Sulfide

Hazards of Petroleum. Reference: ISGOTT Fifth Edition

What is the meaning of ISGOTT?

STS Transfer Checklists

SHIP TO SHIP TRANSFER CHECK-LISTS
1. PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION (BETWEEN SHIP OPERATOR/CHARTERER AND ORGANIZER)
2. BEFORE OPERATIONS COMMENCE
3. BEFORE MANOEUVERING AND MOORING
4. BEFORE CARGO TRANSFER
5. BEFORE UNMOORING
6. ISGOTT SHIP/SHORE SAFETY CHECK-LIST

Hours of Work And Hours of Rest for Seafarers

Maximum work or minimum rest hours on board. Please visit the official ILO website for more details.

Shipboard Organization Chart

5 Tips For Seafarers On Board

1. Pray before and after work.
2. Don't forget to turn on your alarm clock before sleep.
3. Work on time and enjoy your job.
4. Respect your colleagues and superiors.
5. Think and work safely.

A Sad And A Happy Seafarer

Sad because;
- Far from family
- Always longing to be with the family
- Missing in many occasions
- During vacation the money earned on board will be easily consumed if not being spent wisely. (A Seafarer And A Water Lily)

Happy because;
- Can own houses & lots
- Can own vehicles
- Can own many gadgets
- Can give many things to the family which never had before
- Can support daily needs

Strongest Earthquake In Bohol

On October 15, 2013 the 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Bohol. My wife and our 2 sons were sleeping outside our house for how many weeks. I was on board a ship on that time. I could not sleep well while thinking of the safety of my family. I could not discribe my feelings towards my family at home during that moments. Seafarer's Place family supports Bohol after 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Bohol last year. #TogetherWeStandBohol #BangonBohol

How to go to Bohol?

Bohol is a unique place that once you visit, you will keep on coming back. Explore the different places in Bohol that fits your moods, styles and wants. There are many ways on how to visit Bohol by sea or by air. For more information you can visit this site. How to go Bohol?

Chief Officer's Basic Tools

A Lazy Seafarer

It is obvious to seafarer if he is a lazy. Always complaining to any works to be done. If he is done with a particular job, he will always making sounds like he is very tired. He will pretend that he is obeying his superiors but he always making nonsense story. A lazy seafarer will always compare his superiors or colleagues to somebody he think he is best. Sometimes he will taking advantage with his colleagues. He will start a job together with his colleague and then he will find a way he could scape from his job. I've have heard something rumors but I will believe if it is true until proven by myself. One day, I give a simple job order. He prepare tools for it but he left and do another job which I told him to be done after the other. A lazy seafarer always find a reasons if he don't like. But if he likes he always find ways to be done with the help of others. If he found somebody to help him. He will let his colleague to finish the job which is intended for him. Imagine how a lazy seafarer will act for his own without thinking of the others. A lazy seafarer might be called a selfish too.

A Seafarer And A Water Lily

A seafarer is working on board a ship which is floating on the water.
While water lily is a plant floating on the water.
If a water lily will be lifted up and put in a dry place. In few days, a water lily needs to be on the water again in order to be alive. If a seafarer is out of the water and going to their home sweet home for vacation. Only few months, a seafarer needs to be on board in order to support the daily living. If a seafarer or family has no other means of income is just like a water lily. When both a seafarer and a water lily are out of the water they will be in distress. A seafarer will still striving to survive by any other means. A water lily needs water. But a seafarer needs water and more.

Being a seafarer is not easy. Being far from family is the greatest sacrifice of a seafarer just to support the daily needs. Seafaring profession is worth loving for. I just hope I will be at home with my family at younger age if possible. I feel pity on my fellow seafarers who are older than me when giving job orders to them, but nothing I can do than to give orders.

Seafarer's Useful HomePage Android Apps

Seafarer's Way To Success

Seafarer's Trip Around Bohol

Seafarer on vacation with family.
Lists of towns which my dear wife remembered during our trip:

Tagbilaran
Cortes
Maribojoc
Loon
Calape
Tubigon
Clarin
Inabanga
Buenavista
Jetafe
Talibon
Trinidad
Ubay
Bien Unido
Alicia
Mabini
Candijay
Guindulman
Duero
Jagna
Garcia Hernandez
Valencia
Dimiao
Lila
Loay
Loboc
Bilar
Alburquerque
Baclayon

10 Best Android Apps Filipino Seafarers Must Have

 1. FACEBOOK
 2. SKYPE
 3. CHIKKA
 4. ENGLISH DICTIONARY OFFLINE
 5. WPS - KINGSOFT
 6. BIBLE OFFLINE
 7. SEABOOK
 8. NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS
 9. IALA BUOYS & LIGHTS
 10. FIREFOX

Filipino Seafarer's Money Distribution

 

OFW - Filipino Seafarer's Tax Exemption

You are exempt from filing income tax returns if:

You are an overseas Filipino worker whose income is derived solely from sources outside the Philippines.

If you are Filipino citizen working as an overseas seaman, your vessel must be engaged exclusively in international trade.


Sources:
GOVPH
BIR

BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE: REVENUE REGULATIONS NO. 1-2011, FEBRUARY 24, 2011

Maritime Training Center in Bohol

Many of the Boholano Seafarers are longing to have a maritime training center in Bohol. This could make more time for the family during vacation, if there will be a training to be taken. Not to go training in Cebu nor training in Manila, if there will be a maritime training center in Bohol.

The Best Seafarers Are Filipino If You Will Agree

Filipino Seafarers are heroes and work dedicated seafarers.

Ship's Officers & Crew

Which is peaceful on board, all Filipino or mixed nationalities? Why?

Seafarer's Life On Board A Ship

Share and give comments here any shipboard experiences regardless of rank or position onboard in all types of ships.

SANO - A story of a seafarer from Bohol

"SANO" - A story of a seafarer from Bohol.

Born in a very far away hills. Studied in elementary school by walking of more than 6 kilometers each day to the next barangay. Scared of cars, trucks and buses because it was seldom to see these vehicles before. Don't even know how to ride a bicycle. Ignorant and bullied with schoolmates when in high school. Bullying words "Taga bukid" which they meant poor and ignorant. Because the home was very far and it takes almost 2 hours of walking. There were no means of transportation even a motorcycle before. No electricity, using only a gas lamp called "Lamparilya". Graduated in college with many carabaos sold by parents just to supply the needs. There it comes, the opportunity to board an Oil/Chemical tanker as a deck cadet. Never made any complaint about the hard job. Working very hard in the same way with other colleagues without complaining. It does not matter if receives less salary than the others. Just imagine during discharging, pushing the liquid cargo inside a dark tank with a cargo temperature of more than 60 degrees Celsius. When going out of the tank the outside temperature will be less than 10 degrees Celsius. Shared with bosun and pump man that might give up and can't complete the contract. But bosun and pump man gave advice and encouragement. "Never give up". Luckily, when reached until 12 months on board, became an Able-bodied seaman. Remains on board a total of more than 24 months. Sometimes sweat, tears and runny nose met together during those days. But survived all those hardships because of strong determination, courage, patience, prayers, plans and ambitions for the family and girlfriend. (A girlfriend before and a wife now). There were times very tired, but "never said that can't do the tasks given". There have been times deep within already complaining and colleagues never knew it. When became a deck rating, at first never been complaining to the colleagues or superiors. But then, realized that sometimes need to complain if necessary. Two of fellow able-bodied seamen were veterans so they knew more about any job. But these two were unfair. They will not help most the tasks during cargo operations. One day, during cargo operation, taking the cargo level every hour, making soundings of ballast tanks and making rounds on main deck checking leaks. Two colleagues were talking and laughing at the manifold. Brought a bucket of tools and thrown over near of them as a joke. But it was the sign of complaint. At that time, if one of them reacted, maybe got in trouble and dreams might be disappeared. None of the officers and other crew knew what had happened. Later on, realized that by doing so, it was not good. But from that time on, fellow colleagues realized that it must be fair to all, if keep helping each other. Some of the knowledges learned came from them. The hardships urged to study and continue to learn. When became an officer, never compared own self to any of the seafarer on how to work hard when still in a deck rating position. Thankful to all masters, officers and crew on every ship that has been boarded. Some of the previous colleagues are now officers and master mariners. Surely they will forget the real name, but they might still remember the nickname for Boholano seafarers known as " SANO ". A friendly advice to every seafarer to have a very broad patience as far as they can. It's very nice to enjoy the job without complaining. Everyone has the right to complain. But, it must be in a right time, in a right way and not to offend other seafarers due to self interests. All must take part to help improve self discipline and knowledge. For the health and safety to everyone, to the ship and to the environment. There will be a God's reward for those hard working seafarers. Keep on learning and sharing knowledge that is freely learned from others or even knowledge of your own. Everyone shall take the prayer, patience, courage, determination and respect to others anywhere at anytime for the love of family and children. "Elums"

Filipino Seafarers Masters And Mates

Write here any maritime related suggestions or comments for the better future.

Filipino Seafarers Deck And Engine Ratings

Write here any maritime related suggestions or comments for the better future.

Best Android Apps For Seafarers

Click, try and give comments for improvements to help our fellow seafarers.

1. SeaBook

2. ILO MLC 2006 Checklist

3. Maritime World Ports

4. Celestial Navigation

5. Collision Regulations

6. IALA Buoyage System

7. Cardinal Marks

8. Sun Surveyor 

9. Oil Calculation

10. Star Chart

How To Calculate Fresh Water Allowance

FWA = W / 40 x TPI (English System)

FWA = W / 4 x TPC (Metric System)

How To Calculate Dock Water Allowance

DWA = Fresh Water Allowance x (1025 – Density of Dock Water ) / 25

How To Calculate Parallel Sinkage

PS = w / TPI  (English System)
PS = w / TPC  (Metric System

w = weight loaded