Our Blog
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🚢 Essential Parts of a Merchant Ship and Their Functions
All merchant ships, regardless of type, share a set of core structural components essential for navigation, propulsion, safety, and daily operations. Understanding these parts is fundamental for every seafarer, especially cadets and junior officers preparing for life at sea. This guide breaks down the most important ship parts and explains their functions based on real-world…
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What is Beaching or Intentional Grounding & Why Do Ships Do It?
Imagine you are out to sea in a merchant vessel. The weather is fine and the tide is low. While enjoying the breeze, cruise, and booze, you notice that your draft is increasing! You scrambled the crew and after a few inspections, you discovered a hole in the side of the hull. You try pumping…
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What is a Hydrostatic Release Unit & How Does it Work?
If you watched many ship-sinking movies before, you might have already indirectly seen a hydrostatic release unit in action. Movies or news about a sinking vessel sometimes mention liferafts, fully inflated but without anyone inside. You may already hear of rescuers finding a locating beacon, in this case, an EPIRB, but with nobody nearby. Sounds…
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Sample Letters of Repatriation, Extension, & Early Vacation Requests You Can Use On Board
Writing letter requests is one of the many formalities seafarers will eventually face. For one, these letters can be put into black and white and sent to the company which signifies seriousness on your part rather than hanging onto spoken words and promises. The most common letters on board are Repatriation Letters, Extension Letters, and…
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🛠️ Mastering Anchor Parts, Chain, and Windlass Arrangement
Anchoring is a vital shipboard operation that ensures vessel safety while holding position at sea or during mooring. A reliable anchoring system depends on the proper function of its parts- anchor, chain, windlass, and securing gear. Seafarers must be familiar with each component to perform pre-departure checks, conduct safe anchoring, and identify faults before they…
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🚢 Second Officer Duties, Responsibilities, and Salary
A Second Officer, also known as a Second Mate or Navigational Officer, is a licensed deck officer primarily responsible for voyage planning, navigational watchkeeping, and the upkeep of navigational charts and publications. This rank is part of the ship’s deck department and holds the role of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OIC-NW) under…
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🌊 Marine Meteorology for Seafarers: Mastering Weather for Safer Navigation
Marine meteorology is the science of monitoring and predicting weather conditions at sea. For seafarers, it’s not just theory, it’s a critical tool for safety and operational efficiency. Understanding weather systems helps watchkeepers avoid storms, optimize fuel routes, protect cargo, and comply with STCW bridge watchkeeping duties. This guide covers the core elements and tools…
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How to Reschedule Your ICV Appointment in Bureau of Quarantine
The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is now part of our working life. If you are employed especially abroad, or want to travel outside the country, expect to have this kind of document. ICVP is commonly known as the Yellow Card during our previous life- the Old Normal. It was a single piece…
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How to Get Your International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV)
An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) is a document that contains the record of your vaccination history. On a positive note, member states of the World Health Organization recognize this certificate. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, seafarers and OFWs were only required to have a yellow fever vaccine. The Bureau of Quarantine will then give…
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How to Solve Your DMW eRegistration (eReg) Problems Online
Just like the previous version, some of our online accounts are also suffering from DMW eReg problems. From forgotten passwords, and account activation, to updating our eRegistration details, this has always been the case. There will no longer be POEA in the coming months. Our online accounts will not cease thought but will be forwarded…