"Every seaman is not only a navigator but a merchant and also a soldier" from the freshquotes.
I get to have a chance to experience my husband's job for a week. Lucky for me after their voyage from China their next port is Manila. Right after he told me about this I directly booked a flight to Manila and filed a leave from work.
Form a 45 minute flight from Cebu to Manila I was anticipating to see him. Execited you'd say we've been distant for 5 months instead of seeing him after 10 months it was cut short. Yehey!!
Manila bay, unfortunately it was dirty at that time because of the heavy rain so the garbage were washed out by the waves.
Wow check out my ride, this small boat will be my form of Transportation in reaching my forever. Don't worry this bangka has engine, it's gonna be a 3 hour ride from Manila bay to my destination. So might as well take picture..!
After a long ride the sight of the huge cargo ship was magical.. Finally I'm gonna see my husband..
Same as those who haven't been to a cargo ship i was ecstatic, I wanna see the place.
Let's start with the cabin, each crew has their cabin. This is were they rest after a tiring shift.!
This hallway is my husband's additional assignment. Each crew has their cleaning area that they have to keep clean or else they will be fined if not maintained clean.
This area is where they held meetings. If there are important matter to be discussed its held here.
Do I look execited?
This is the engine room, looks cool huh.. The engine room is located at the bottom of the ship. This part of the ship is actually the hottest place, not warm not humid. I mean really scorching hot. So if you have a boyfriend or husband who works in the engine think again in spending the money they send you. You should spent it wisely coz it's not easy being there.One can't stay long in this place, its like my sweat was dripping every second. But for the sake of getting good picture, SMILE!!
This room is part of the engine room, its for those higher rank to stay. And its air conditioned, so lucky for those who have higher ranks.
If you wanna listen to music they have this too.. No, actually this is used to protect their ear from pressure and noise.. But they don't use this anymore, there is a smaller version of that.
Have you seen the movie Captain Philips? Well let me enlighten those who haven't seen the movie. Captain Philips was the captain of a cargo ship, pirates attacked them when they passed by Somalia. This orange thing here was captain Philips escape.
They call this the free fall life boat. Lifeboat is one of the most important life-saving equipments onboard a ship, which is used at the time of extreme emergencies for abandoning a ship. Lifeboat is a smaller rigid vessel, secured onboard into davits so that it can be launched over the side of the ship with least time and mechanical assistance possible for an early escape of the crew from the ship. So since I'm not trained for emergency escapes I should know where the lifeboats are. haha
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This lifeboat was the one used in the movie Titanic when the Captain of the ship decided to abandon ship. This includes rations, fresh water, first aid, compass, distress signalling equipments like rocket etc. This boat is equiped in case one can not be resqued right away.
This ship is a bulk carrier. A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or colloquially, bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement. You can identify its a bulk carrier because of that thingy behind me. That portion behind me is where they store their cargo.
No cargo's yet, this deserves a jumpshot.haha
I don't know what they call this place but it's some kind of a storage room. My estimation it's equivalent to 3-5 basketball court. And they have to clean it.
Whoah I couldn't imagine the time and effort they give everyday just earn dollars and be able to send it to their families. And do you see those cable wires on top, they have clean it too. They have to climb up using a harness. The only protection they have.
Now we are on the way to the Kitchen, it starving just being able to tour the place. In the Kitchen it's self service. The food are ready all you have to do is get your food and eat. You also have to clean the area you are eating. And wash the utensils you used.
This place is the bridge, this is where the navigating happens.
This is where the captain stays so as the other officials. It's were they plot how many Nautical miles it takes to go to the next destination.
This binoculars gives me a clear view of my forever. haha
Smile from our brave seafearers. While I was on board I had to work together with my husband. From 8-12 in the morning and 8-12 in the evening. It was really hard for me speacially I'm not used to working late.
Every Saturday is the only time for them to relax and enjoy. They have parties on Saturdays. Food and drinks are prepared. Karaoke is their favorite pastime. So when your on board your singing skills will be developed.haha
This is me with the wife and girlfriend of the crew on board. They have stayed on board for more than a month since they live in Manila and they don't have a work unlike me I was allowed to be absent for a week..
Being a seafearer is what most filipino want.. We think having this job is better for they earn dollars. My stay there made me realize alot. It was tough, you only get to see islands, fish, waves and other boats for several days. You have longer time with your co worker than with your family.
It takes a lot of courage, to be far from your family or loved ones. Seeing the sunrise while I was on board made me feel that despite the distance just seeing the person you love through video call means alot. Knowing that they are happy gives them hope that one day they will be able to hug their kids or family.
This was far the best experience that I had. It was short but having to know the kind of job my husband has made me think that everything he does is all for us. I salute all seafearers, life on board is 50/50 you don't know when accidents happen. Plus the fact they become stranger to their children because their kids don't get to see them.
My realization is that a strong relationship starts with two people who are ready to sacrifice anything for each other.
Thank you Steemians! I hope you enjoyed.
