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Brilliant Advance and My First Command

Captain BBAV

“Gone are the days when the ships were made of wood and men were made of steel”. My Old man once told me this quote when I was a Chief Officer describing the new generation of vessels being built equipped with latest technology, yet sadly, the present and future generation of seafarers – soft and feeble.

Brilliant Advance belongs to this new era, she’s a 229 meter-long bulk carrier built by Tsuneishi Heavy Indus. in Cebu. Launched in 2004, she’s been through the high winds and survived the roughest of the seas. But more than the attributes of the ship, what sets it apart from the old saying is the people onboard, they are no ordinary seafarers. They are men of courage who give utmost diligence to safety and who treat each other like brothers. This ship will always have a special place in my heart as this is where I took my first command.

“A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder”.

Growing up in an underprivileged family taught me many lessons in life. One of which is to pursue my dreams and have a sense of destination. For it is true that without a definite aim, one can never succeed and will just be like a ship drifting, lost in the middle of nowhere.

My hometown, Jose Panganiban, was both a fishing and a mining village. I was used to seeing motorized bancas with names of owners printed on it. I remember how fun it was as a kid being able to ride those small pumpboats. The boat ride only took a few minutes but it left an indelible impression on me.  Back then, I was curious as to how those little boats made of wood and bamboo could float and sail on the sea. Little did I know that later in life, I would be maneuvering a ship made of steel and hundred times bigger than the bancas I had come to know in my childhood.

It may seem that I have reached the peak of my career but becoming a Master is not a walk in the park. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance to get to where I am now. My seafaring career started in 2000 when I first enrolled in Baliwag Maritime Academy where I took up Marine Transportation. I joined my first vessel as a Deck Cadet in 2002. A year after, I went back to school and then graduated in 2004. I then joined my second vessel in 2005 as Ordinary Seaman and the rest is history.

I never stopped learning from the time I started as an Ordinary seaman. Every vacation, I made it a point to further my knowledge. I attended trainings and seminars even if that meant time away from my family.  I took exams to prepare myself for bigger responsibilities.  The trainings and exams were never easy. But as I have a goal at the back of my mind, I kept going. Once, I had to take an exam just a few days after my mom passed away. I was grieving and I did not have a chance to review. But my sheer perseverance coupled with my strong faith pulled me through.

Allow me then to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to Magsaysay MOL Ship Management for the trust and confidence and for allowing me to take my first command on this vessel. I am equally thankful to my one and only manning company, the Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc., for finally giving me this wonderful opportunity that we all dreamed of, to our Creator for giving me the gallantry to face trials in life and to my family for the support and inspiration.

Once only a dream, now it is a reality. I can’t help but recall the important lessons I have learned in every turning point of my career. I would like to share some with the next generation and my fellow colleagues who might find this useful in their own pursuits.

As a Deck Cadet – Solid background, strong roots. The foundation of your career starts when you are a Cadet. You should be well-trained as you cope with the day to day activities on board. Start from maintaining the cleanliness of your cabin, it’s the reflection of your own personality. Keep on learning new things. Convert your free time to learning time. Don’t wait for someone to teach you how to do things for not everyone is open to sharing their knowledge with you. Read the ship’s manuals and books and as you keep on reading those books, make your own notes of the things that you have learned. It’s worth mentioning that until now, I still have that book that I started to write on when I was a Cadet. I am using it now to share my thoughts with you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even about a minor detail, for it is the perfect time to do so. Build the dream of becoming a Master and instill that in your subconscious mind.

As a Rating – If you are lucky enough, you would immediately jump from a Cadet to a Junior Officer. But that wasn’t my case. I served my time as Ordinary Seaman and Able Seaman. If you take the same path, focus on obtaining your license for operational level as fast as you could. Exams are investment worth taking.  Prove yourself worthy of being an officer while you excel in your present rank as a rating. Do not just use advance studies for promotion. It’s just a bonus. Start by learning the Third officer’s job by learning the basic Noon calculation and maintenance of LSA and FFE. Bring out the confidence in you as you develop yourself to the most important job of all – keeping a safe navigational watch.

As a Junior Officer – “Welcome to the Bridge”. That single stripe on your shoulder is just the beginning, but the lives of all crew onboard, the precious ship and cargo rest on it. It’s not a joke anymore. Prove yourself worth it of that position. All those extra time you used for studying when you were just a Cadet and Rating will now be put to good use.  Again, learning doesn’t stop here. Once you have mastered your job as a Third officer, dedicate again your free time in learning the Second and Chief Officer’s job. Don’t wait till you become a Second Officer before you learn a Chief Officer’s job. Observe how your Master is taking the con as you work with him side by side at this time.

When you get the 2^nd stripe, learn how to handle and manage your crew. Show them at this stage what kind of leader you will be when you become their Head and Master’s deputy. Again, make sure you are fully acquainted with your new job before you proceed to the next level. You have to do it fast, work even harder than you used to. Tell your Chief Officer that you would be glad to learn and do his job. Practice makes perfect.

As a Senior Officer – You are almost there, it’s just a matter of time. Sadly, some would stay in this position and let time decide on their fate. Others would want to immediately become a Master. It is neither a race nor a competition. Prepare yourself and walk the extra mile. If you would be given a chance, acquire more experience on other types of ships – whether on a car carrier, container vessel or bulk carrier. Be a jack of all trades – it’s a confidence booster once you know other types of ships. Yes, promotion to Master might take time, yet it’s unprecedented when you equip yourself of knowledge that others don’t have. It will be your advantage once you get to the top. As the head of Deck Department, accept and bear the full responsibility of any mistakes committed by your crew while being resilient to rise and correct it. Respect begets respect, blaming-culture should never exist.  Master yourself to become a Master, learn how to safely maneuver the ship. Do the honor of sending and receiving messages and communicate to Operators, Managers and other parties involved in the ship business. Do the job for your Old man and for some time, let him be paid because of what he thinks and not because of what he does.

As a Master – It’s time for you to walk the talk, share your knowledge and motivate your crew. Be at the forefront and an inspiration. You are the leading light of your crew. Show them that you really are one and even more than that. Set a good example and influence your crew members to be the best that they can be. Talk to them and feel them, have a heart. Remember that you don’t belong to the Deck Department anymore, the entire crew look upon you. Their safety is your top priority. Be a leader, not a boss. Think outside the box and innovate new ideas. Throw away the bad practices that you have seen from your past and improve the good ones. Embrace the change and make a difference.  As the owner’s representative, have also that sense of ownership and think of your ship as yours to protect, yours to keep, bring pride and profit.

This story is not just about me or the experiences that shaped my career, it’s about you. The key to pursuing our dreams is hard work. Always stay at the top of your game by mastering skills and growing your knowledge. As you continue your journey, don’t let your age define you. Age is just a number, for us, it is just a guideline. Even if you are way older or younger than 35, always give your best and show that you are more capable than what they think you are. Never stop believing and aiming for something you really want even if that means getting out of your comfort zone.  Steer the wheel and take the con. We are the Captain of our fate and the Master of our destiny.

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