Our Blog
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MARINA SID – Mandatory or Not? And Why Fixers Can Book Their Schedules
As seafarers restart their careers this year, many are in desperate situations for that single piece of card presumably required for embarkation. Well, I guess everyone already knows what we’re talking about. It’s our Seafarer’s Identity Document or SID. And we all know that it’s been infested with fixers! What is SID anyway? Before that, let’s…
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Byaheng Manila Requirements: Traveling From Province to Manila
Metro Manila is still the epicenter of jobs in our country. As the government slowly reopens the capital, many of us are planning to go back to the Metro and return to the jobs we knew. However, it’s not like we used to be. Getting out of the province is not as easy as before.…
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List of Countries Allowing and Not Allowing Crew Change for Seafarers
Crew change is very much overdue for many seafarers at sea during this pandemic. According to the IMO, there are approximately 400,000 seafarers whose contract is expired and can not go home. That figure also translates to another 400,000 sailors who can not join their ships. Governments from around the world impose restrictions to crew…
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MARINA Approves Online Application for Resit & Reschedule of Theoretical Exam
All applications for the RESIT and RESCHEDULE of Merchant Marine Officers exam are now available through MISMO under the Examination Tab. To minimize unnecessary exposure of seafarers to COVID-19, MARINA implemented an online application of theoretical examination starting January 09, 2021. This means that all requirements for the above application such as examination permit and Medical…
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Filipino Seafarers Allowed to Travel Amid New SARS-CoV-2 Variant
The Philippine Government permits Filipino Seafarers coming from countries with reported cases of the new SARS-CoV-2 strain, to enter the country provided strict and mandatory protocols are followed. Additionally, they are allowed to leave the country following the exit protocols of the Philippines, as well as entry protocols to their destination countries. In a memorandum…
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🎄 How Seafarers Celebrate Christmas on a Tanker Ship
For most people, Christmas means family and time off. For seafarers, it could be spent in port, at anchor, or sailing mid-ocean. I’ve celebrated nearly half my seagoing career onboard. Some years felt festive, others were just another busy workday. 💡 Tip: Holidays at sea depend on schedule, weather, and company policy. Keep expectations flexible.…
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🚢 Types of Tugboats and Their Functions in Maritime Operations
Tugboats may not grab headlines like giant container ships or cruise liners but these compact powerhouses are the unsung heroes of modern shipping. From guiding tankers through narrow ports to performing offshore rescues, tugboats play an indispensable role in maritime safety and logistics. Despite their size, some tugboats cost over $20 million to build. Why?…
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🚢 How Do Ships Survive Heavy Storms at Sea?
Yes, modern ships are engineered to survive extreme weather. But surviving a storm at sea isn’t just about design- it’s about smart seamanship, proactive navigation, and onboard preparedness. From merchant vessels to cruise liners, ships have faced the fury of hurricanes and typhoons. Behind every survival story is a crew following key storm protocols: maintaining…
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List of MARINA-Approved Maritime Training Centers in Luzon (NCR Excluded) 2024
Now that COVID-19 restrictions are nowhere to be found, Maritime Training Institutions (MTI) are fully opening their training centers for seafarers. MARINA implemented special regulations like the blended learning mode which is a combination of online and face-to-face classes. This improvement helped keep our seafarers in compliance with international regulations. Here are the lists of…
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Seafarers are Getting Hired Using These Seaman Jobsites & Apps
Seaman job sites have become the new normal for sea-based job applications. This was the kind of hiring process that I preferred ten years ago. Actually, I tried this approach a few years back. I emailed 100+ local manning agencies, hoping to get hired. Only a handful of them responded, and they all wanted me…