Bow Aquarius
Bow Cedar
Bow Condor
Bow Orion
Bow Persistent
Bow Pioneer
Bow Star
By Kent Hortillosa, Ordinary Seaman
According to International Chamber of Shipping, roughly ninety percent of the world's goods are transported by sea (2019).
But seafaring is not all about traveling the world for free while earning a huge amount of money, as some think. In fact, the traveling part is not even free; it is paid for by the time we spend away from our loved ones.
We are born for rough seas and other hardships. We are used to contractual employment: some of us are on board for four months, some stay for nine months, and there are others who serve longer contracts. We are friends with stress and fatigue. Getting three to four hours of quality sleep is something we are accustomed to.
Perhaps our biggest challenge is the longing for our loved ones, wishing for them to be around especially when we need them the most, or when they need us to be by their side. And so we remind ourselves that most of us chose this profession because we want to provide our loved ones with their needs, and give them a better life.
Enter the Covid-19 pandemic: Crew change remains to be an unresolved crisis. Most of us are serving extended contracts, while some have stayed on board for more than a year. It has been physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. But we endure, striving to be resilient, keeping our optimism, and perservering despite all the odds. And as Captain Luisito Cantona always reminds us: Presence of mind, and safety above everything.
The best gift we can give our loved ones is not money nor luxury, but our life: Staying alive and going back home with complete limbs, safe and sound.
As we continue to sail through this pandemic, we learn to cherish and seize every bit of moment we have. We are reminded to stay strong and find reasons to be happy. And with the grace of the Almighty, we will surpass this—together.
And so we translate these lessons into a short music video: How we continue to strive amidst all the challenges and uncertainties that we are facing. To rephrase a line from the song we used in the video: Shining through the seas with a little funk and soul—and some basketball, gym time, food, movies, and bonding time with colleagues.
But while we enjoy the company of our fellow crewmembers, a simple how are you from family and friends is what we cherish the most.
Bow Sun
