Our Blog
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How Seamen & OFWs Can Avail of OWWA’s Php20,000 Cash Grant
If you plan to retire from working abroad due to distress, emergency, or having been displaced, you can apply for financial assistance from OWWA. OWWA’s Php20,000 Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay program is a grant that doesn’t need to be repaid. It is a monetary aid for Overseas Filipino Workers, including Seafarers, who want to start…
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How To Overtake in a Narrow Channel and Avoid Collision
Ships overtaking in a narrow channel is one of the most challenging parts of navigating inside waterways. The confined waterway, hydrodynamic forces, and the vessels’ proximity increase the risk of collision if proper precautions are not taken. While we have various navigational equipment to monitor the movement of ships in the vicinity, we can’t actually…
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When To Change From Ship’s Autopilot to Manual Steering
Transitioning from automatic steering to manual steering is a decision made based on a keen understanding of the ship’s location and the current situation. Automatic steering, often called autopilot, is a computerized navigation system that automatically maneuvers a ship at a predetermined course. It can be a valuable aid on long voyages. Manual steering, also…
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List of Shipboard Drills and Their Frequency Schedules
Safety drills are regular practice exercises on board that ensure the crew’s preparation and effective response during an emergency situation. Because these training exercises simulate real-life emergencies, vessel personnel can develop the muscle memory and critical thinking skills necessary to react effectively when a real crisis strikes. Safety drills are mandatory on board. SOLAS and…
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Top 20 Maritime Schools in the Philippines
I often receive emails from interested students asking about the best maritime school in the country. I tried looking into it and finally made criteria for my ranking, which I want to be based on facts and numbers. Many of the schools that reached the top 20 are renowned for their scholarship programs, which many…
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Minimum Requirements of STCW Training Courses Per Rank
Pursuing a career at sea requires extensive training and certification. The higher you progress through the ranks, the more courses you must take. If you want an overview of what training courses you must take for your future promotion, this article will guide you there. The requirements listed here are specified in the STCW Code…
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21 Distress Signals That Indicate a Ship is Asking for Help
Distress signals are among the most important communication tools on board every vessel. Because these emergency calls for help are universal, any seafarer should be able to tell that someone is in dire need of assistance. Over the years, the maritime industry has developed various types of distress messages from ships. If you receive any…
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6 Most Commonly Used ICS Flag Signals On Ships
Flag signals are one of the visual communication methods that many merchant vessels use today. Whenever ships visit a port, you will always see these rectangular colored cloth hoisted on the forward or aft mast. Also referred to as colors, seafarers use nautical flag signals for various reasons. Sometimes, they go with other lights and…
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Identifying Ship’s Lights, Shapes, and Sound Signals
While many ships today upgrade their navigational tools to the latest technology, knowing the lights, shapes, and sound signals is as important as ever. You will find detailed explanations in Parts C and D of COLREGS or the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. But since that regulation is rich in words and not…
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I Wrote a Message In a Bottle & Released It in the Middle of the Atlantic Ocean
I actually wrote three. But I don’t know if the bottles or the messages inside survived. The bottle probably broke and sank under the sea after getting rammed by some boats. Or maybe the cap gave in, allowing water inside the glass and eventually burying it underwater before it could reach ashore. A million things…