Our Blog
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Why Manning Agencies Use Backer System & How to Overcome It
To get on board today, you need a backer. The backer system in our shipping agency is so entrenched that cadets without someone backing them up will have difficulty getting on board. One of the most challenging aspects of the career for fresh graduates or those aspiring to work at sea is getting into a…
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SSS Salary Loan for First Timers: One-Day Approval
The SSS or the Social Security System is a social insurance program designed to promote the welfare of its members and their families against economic hardships caused by life’s contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disability, old age, and death. I heard many stories from my fellow Filipino seafarers about how they received financial assistance from…
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The Cost of BECOMING a Seaman – Expenses from School to Ship
For the uninitiated person, becoming a seaman looks deceptively easy. Thousands of new graduates flood the seafaring industry every year hoping to fulfill their dreams of seeing the world for free while getting paid in hundreds or thousands of dollars. These new cadets, fresh from their school, aspire to help their families by becoming a seaman. This is…
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🚢 Strange Ship Terminologies and Their Surprising Maritime Origins
Ever wondered why ships have terms that sound more like jokes than serious nautical lingo? From “poop decks” to “kamote,” maritime language is filled with unusual words- some funny, some puzzling, and most with stories rooted deep in seafaring history and tradition. 🌊 Whether you’re a cadet still learning the ropes or a seasoned officer…
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How to Create and Update Your POEA/ DMW e-Registration Profile
POEA was recently renamed to DMW or the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). But still, the POEA e-Registration facilities and their functions stay the same. The layout on their eRegistration website is also similar but with a few added elements to reflect its new name. I updated the tutorial steps here to reflect the steps…
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POEA Online Registration System to Replace SRC
POEA Online Registration System will replace the old Seafarer’s Registration Certificate according to POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued guidelines on the registration of seafarers online in compliance with POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 13, Series of 2016. This move started in August 2016 and changes were made to…
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⚓ Life of a Seafarer: Hardships, Sacrifice, and Hope
The life of a seafarer is a mix of hard work, long separations from family, and the resilience to face unpredictable seas. A typical contract lasts several months, often with limited internet access, while working in shifts around the clock. It’s a profession built on discipline, sacrifice, and the hope of a better future for…
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🙏 Prayer Before a Maritime Exam
In the maritime profession, exams are more than academic tests. They are milestones that determine a seafarer’s career path. Whether it’s your Certificate of Competency (COC), Certificate of Proficiency (COP), or a promotion exam, passing requires not just knowledge, but also discipline, integrity, and mental resilience. The pressure can be intense: high expectations from family,…
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Prohibited Items Not Allowed in the Airport When Signing On or Off
You have completed all your training. You were able to vacation in Puerto Princesa with the whole family. And you even attended your child’s graduation and purchased a new vehicle. Now, you need to return to the ship to work and earn again. Or if not, your relief is already on the gangway. The Captain…
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🧪🇯🇵 Inspiring Journey of a Japanese Seawoman on a Chemical Tanker
From the decks of a chemical tanker to the cargo control room, Hiroka Suzuki has proven that women can excel in one of the most demanding sectors of the maritime industry. Rising from deck cadet to Second Officer (2/O), her career shows that skill, discipline, and resilience matter more than gender. In this article, we…