Our Blog
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🌍 Arc to Time and Time to Arc Conversion – A Seafarer’s Guide
Understanding how to convert arc to time and vice versa is a timeless navigation skill rooted in celestial navigation. Long before satellites and GPS, mariners used the heavens to find their position using only a sextant, a chronometer, and the knowledge of time-angle relationships. Even with today’s advanced systems, this knowledge remains vital for navigation…
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✅ Voyage Planning Guide: Stages, Steps, & SOLAS Compliance
Everything a deck officer must know about passage planning- aligned with SOLAS, STCW, and IMO best practices. 🚢 What Is Voyage Planning? (aka Passage Planning) Voyage planning, also called passage planning, is a structured process of creating a safe, efficient, and regulation-compliant route for a ship from port of departure to port of arrival. According…
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List of Active Shipyards in the Philippines 2024
Shipyards play a significant role in the country’s robust industries of shipbuilding and repair. Our location and volume of shipping activities make it ideal for this business to prosper. With thousands of domestic and international vessels sailing around our archipelago, the demand for ship construction, maintenance, and repair has created a flourishing maritime environment. Those…
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📝 Ship’s Particulars: Definition, Importance, Usage, & Examples
If you’re a cadet filling out your Training Record Book (TRB) or a maritime professional handling operations, understanding your vessel’s particulars is a must. Ship’s particulars, also called vessel specifications, are a standardized set of data that describe the vessel’s dimensions, capacities, engine power, communication equipment, and more. Whether for navigation planning, cargo operations, or…
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📐 What is a Ship’s Air Draft and Why It Matters in Navigation
A ship’s air draft (also spelled air draught) is the vertical distance from the waterline to the highest point of the vessel– usually the top of the radar mast, funnel, or bridge structure. It determines whether a vessel can safely pass under bridges, power lines, and other overhead obstructions. While most seafarers are familiar with…
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🛡️ What You Should Do If You Become the Ship Security Officer (SSO)
Becoming the Ship Security Officer (SSO) is a critical responsibility on board any merchant vessel. Under the ISPS Code and SOLAS Chapter XI-2, every ship must have a designated SSO to ensure compliance with international maritime security regulations. Whether you’re a Third Officer, Second Mate, Chief Mate, or even the Master, you may be appointed…
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How to Write an Application Letter for Seafarers – Tips & Examples
Writing an application letter has become one of the most critical steps in securing a maritime job. This is true, especially for fresh graduates who are just starting out. If you want to get ahead in applying for any position on board, crafting a well-written application letter will help you stand out and get noticed!…
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🚢 Third Officer Duties and Responsibilities: The Ultimate Guide
A Third Officer (also called Third Mate or 3/O) is the entry-level licensed deck officer on board merchant ships. While often considered a junior officer, the Third Officer holds crucial responsibilities that directly impact the safety, navigation, and emergency preparedness of the vessel. Whether you’re a cadet preparing for your first contract or a newly…
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🛒 Bonded Store vs. Slop Chest on Ships: Key Differences
Onboard ships, crew members often hear the terms “slop chest” and “bonded store” used interchangeably. While both refer to shops on the vessel where seafarers can purchase personal items, they differ significantly in purpose, regulations, and types of goods sold. This article clarifies the difference between a bonded store and a slop chest, explains what…
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Seafarer Packing List – What to Bring When Joining Your Ship
Every time you join a ship for work, it’s always a must to bring all the necessary items in your luggage. I know the pain of realizing that I forgot useful items upon reaching my cabin and that’s why I created this seafarer packing list to help you as well. You don’t want to be…