A WEB page enabling workers to gain rapid access to essential information about their health and safety rights and responsibilities has been set up by the Health and Safety Executive.

The "workers’ webpage" http://www.hse.gov.uk/ workers
- covers the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees, as well as issues such as ‘whistle-blowing’ and reporting accidents.

Tinig ng Marino welcomes letters and comments on any subject related to Filipino seafarers and the maritime industry. Please send all letters / communications to Tinig ng Marino, UFS, Rm. 311, Plaza Towers, L. Guerrero Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000 or e-mail:tinig@ufs.ph

Fr. Espino of the Seamen’s Church Institute, leads in the distribution of Christmas boxes for seafarers in New York. Receiving the gifts is a crew of M/V Olympian Highway. With Fr. Espino are Bobby Ramirez and Atty. Nilo and Mrs. Grace Maniwang.  
 
 
 

Second father to seafarers

It really feels great to reap the fruits of your labor. The feeling is indescribable. At times, you feel your on top of the world. At other times, it feels like your on the seventh cloud. This feeling of fulfillment comes to one like me who has accomplished the first major step in my chosen career. But all these, I would not have reached and felt withot one person, Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez.

You have been more that our president. You are like our second father, who’s there for us in our times of difficulties, sharing and guiding us to the rough waters called life. The  guidance and the discipline you imparted to me during my days as volunteer staff of UFS, made me a strong person willing and courageous enough to face challenges head on.

I am really thankful to God for the strength and determination that I now have because of the many lessons I learned at UFS. Also, thank you Sir Nelson for the encouragement and teachings you have given to us. I bow my head to you in gratitude and respect. You have been a second father to us. 

In my pursuit of a career, I share all my achievements with you. Without you, I could not have reached this fulfilling part of my life. You have been strict, but very supportive. You imposed discipline to the letter, but have also been very humane and kind. And beyond all these, you instilled in us a faith in the Almighty, which until now is my source of inspiration and strength through life’s journeys. 

More that ever, I pray for the success of UFS and you, Sir Nelson, for having stood for all of us – you truly are a pillar of strength of all seafarers. You give hope to the hopeless. You inspire the weak to be strong. You give meaning to lives of the restless. Because you are truly a mariner of God, steering the ship of every seafarer’s future.

To the rest of you UFS guys there, keep on hoping and you will reach your dreams. Once again, thank you Sir Nelson! I am not “hopeless” after all, because of you. – Domingo “Brix” Abrico, M/T Oriental Bouquet, Karachi, Pakistan

(Thank you. I am very proud of you because you’ve been one of the most disciplined volunteers. In spite of the difficulties you went through, you’ve never given up. Keep up the good work. – Editor)

Unpredictable, yet humble and kind

When I started my studies for Marine Transportation, somebody warned that the coco tree is too tall for me, because of my age. I didn’t mind it, because what was the most important for me is to finish the course and have education, as a preparation for a maritime career. In three years, and with God’s guidance and blessings, I graduated Associate Marine Transportation (ATM) in March year 1999 at the age of 28. 

After my graduation, I immediately underwent all the necessary training. When I finished the trainings and got my certificates, I began applying for an apprentice mate at every local shipping office. Again, with Providence, I passed my entrance examination for the cadet program of Sulpicio Lines in November of that same year and on February 23, 2000, I started my “on-the-job training” (OJT) at the Sulpicio main office in Cebu City, after which I boarded my first ship on April 20, 2000. 

As the oldest apprentice mate at Sulpicio, I gave my best, as I always do in everything I did. Without any hitch, I completed my one-year OJT and even have a few days’ excess. Disembarking on March 7, 2001, I took only a month rest and filed my application for BSMT and got my certificate two weeks later.

Focused on what I want to achieve and reach, I prepared myself for the Deck Officer Licensure Examination for several months and took the examination on October, 2001. With true grit and God’s guidance, I passed both the written and practical examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission. 

Beginning February 2002, I started to undergo all the training requirements of PRC for me to get a Certificate of Competency (COC). By June of the same year, I have complied with all the regulations relevant to the imposition of STCW ’95 and was granted the following month with my COC. Losing no time, I stayed in Manila for about a month, burning the candles and knocking on manning agencies’ doors hoping to be accepted even as an ordinary seaman. But remembering the coco tree, some agencies insulted me due to my old age and lack of experience. At times, I could only feel frustration, but the “turn me downs” didn’t stop me as it only provided greater challenge to surmount the difficulties of landing a job onboard ship. 

In my desperation and determination cycle, I met one guy with unpredictable attitude and booming voice. One, who later on, I learned to have kindness, passion and humbleness, deep in his heart and I would be one among thousands who would benefit from his goodness. On November 2002, with this man’s heart of gold, I was hired as Third Officer.

I may already be back in Cebu, with my wife and child, when this letter is published, but I am proud to say that this man with a thundering voice and golden heart, has touched my life so deeply that I could climb any coco tree that comes my way. Also, I vow respect and support to this man with a booming voice and a kinred heart. Thank you, Engr. Ramirez, the original “Mr. Suave.” — 3/Officer Rolando E. Batoy, M/V Safmarine Congo, Pitiousa Shipping SA, 16b Dousmani St., Glyfada, Greece

(Thank you. Always remember that we can get all the help we need to reach our dreams, but without us having the determination to succeed, help will go to naught. Even if given a crane, one can’t climb a tall coco tree without resolve and the heart to do it. A food for thought to everyone trying to build a maritime career. – Editor)  

Sikat na sikat ang Tinig

Dito sa Richard Bay sa South Africa hindi ko akalain napakalakas pala ang “Tinig ng Marino.” Sa seaman’s club dito, kapag nakakita ng Pinoy na bagong dating, hinahanapan ng kopya. Pati ang kilalang miyembro ng UFS ay ganoon din, hinihingian ng kopya. At kung may kopya, kahit luma na, pinag-aagawan pa. Kaya pati ang mga ibang marino ng ibang bansa ay nakikipag-agawan din sa pagbasa ng “Tinig ng Marino.”

I hope na lalong gumaganda at maging regular ang takbo Tinig ng Marino. Dasal ko din ang lalong paglaki at paglakas ng UFS. Nandito lang ako para tumulong at sumuporta upang lalong magsilbi sa marinong Pilipino ang Tinig ng Marino at UFS. Lalo’t higit ang aking suporta kay Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, ang presidente ng UFS at editor in chief ng Tinig ng Marino. 

Samantala, okay lang kaming all-Filipino crew sa aming biyaheng Amerika at Africa. – A/B Francisco Borling, M/V Partfinder, Phoenix Vision MI, Akti, Miaouli, Piraeous, Greece

(Nakakataba ng puso ang iyong balita. Nagbibigay din ito ang inspirasyon upang lalong magsilbi ang Tinig ng Marino sa mga Pinoy saan man sila naroroon. Maraming salamat. – Editor) 

Hangarin sa darating na taong 2004

Isang maalab ng pagbati sa inyong lahat d’yan, lalung-lalo na kay Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, ang ating presidente. Lahat sana kayo d’yan ay nasa mabuting kalagayan.

Ang UFS ay hinding-hindi ko malilimutan. Nagdaan ako sa pagiging isang volunteer kung saan naranasan ko kung gaano kahirap magsakripisyo para maabot mo lang ang iyong pangarap. Subalit sa pagiging volunteer ay talagang nadagdagan ang aking kaalaman at tumindi ang aking pagsisikap upang umangat ang aking buhay.
Sa pagdating ng Bagong Taon, hangad ko na marami pa kayong matulungan na tulad ko upang makasakay sa barko. Hangad ko rin po na mapabuti ang sitwasyon sa industriya maritima, maayos ang mga problema at mawala ang mga katiwalian. At alam kong malaki ang papel ninyo dito. Kaya lagi kong ipinagdarasal ko na lagi kayong patnubayan at tulungan ng Diyos sa lahat ng inyong ginagawa para sa kabutihan ng bawat marinong Pilipino. 

Para naman sa aking na first time lang makasakay ng barko, mahirap sa una ang mag-adjust. Pero habang tumatagal, nagagamay na rin ako at ang tanging kalaban lamang ay ang lungkot, ang homesickness. Kaya lang, napaglalabanan ko rin ito dahil sa aking pamilya, ang UFS.

Sa mga “brothers” ko d’yan, huwag na huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa at tulungan nating lalong paunlarin at palakihin ang UFS dahil ‘yan din ang tutulong sa atin sa lahat nang ating problema. Bukod pa dito, malaking tulong ang naibibigay ng UFS sa mga bagitong marino na walang kakilala at experyensiya. — O/S Tommy C. Carbonilla, M/V Delmas Acacia, Limassol, Durban, South Africa

(Maraming salamat sa sulat mo. Tulad mo, hangad ko rin ang tunay na pagbabago sa ating industriya. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, patuloy ang ating pakikipaglaban sa mga mangungurakot at di rin ako tumitigil upang tuluyan nang maibsan ang mga problema ng mga marino. Marami pang problema, pero di tayo tutugot hanggat nariyan ang mga iyan. – Editor) 

‘Common sense, lots of it always’

We are now here at Jebel Ali, a part also UAE. Our route is only UAE to India and back. 

In the course of my work, I’ve met many Filipinos working in and near the ports. Most of them are engineers and others work in the department stores. Even in port, some stevedores are Pinoys. Now, I believe that many Filipinos like to work abroad for the benefit of their family. Because one time, I asked a Filipino who works as stevedore why he works abroad and he told me that there are no job opportunities in the Philippines and if ever there is one, the salary is not enough to provide the needs of his family. 

Well, as for me, I am in good stead and will probably finish my contract in about two months. So, I can be at UFS again, see old friends, especially those at “Selda 203.”

To all UFS volunteer out there, I can only tell you that if you dream of becoming a seafarer, gain the virtues of determination, courage, faith and discipline. These are the  things you need to reach your dreams plus, of course, Engr. Ramirez, who is always ready to help and who keeps on telling us that it’s not necessary to be a genius to board a ship, one only needs common sense, lots of it and always. – Conrad Lee B. Almarza, M/V Marchallenger, c/o Sea Consortium Shipping, LLC Rais Hassan, Seadi Bldg., Dubai, UAE

(Thank you. It seems you’re enjoying your work, keep it up. – Editor)

Pahabol na pagbati

Marami na akong utang. Una, hindi ko kayo nabati sa inyong kaarawan. Ngayon, di na naman ako nakapagpadala ng greetings para sa kapaskuhan. Di bale, huli man daw at magaling naihahabol pa rin. Belated Happy Birthday to you, Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez at pahabol na Merry Christmas and Happy New Year sa lahat sa inyo d’yan.

Ako po ay muling walang sawa na magpapasalamat sa inyo at sa mga crewing staff ng Maersk sa nakapalaking tulong na ibinigay niyo sa akin. Hanggang sa ngayon ay nasa C/S Lodbrog ako, isa sa mga barko na mina-manage ng Maersk-Filipinas Crewing Inc. Sa kasalukuyan po, nandito kami sa port of Avon Mounth sa Bristol, England. Pangatlong sakay ko na po ito sa barkong ito at presently, I am working as steward. Tatlo lang kaming Pinoy sa crew, puro steward.

Sa ngayon po, naka standby lang kami dito, waiting for the next job, kasi po Cable Ship ito. Minsan I feel bored, pero kung maisip ko ang paghihirap sa Luneta noon, mawala agad, and I always remember ang mga sinasabi mo sa amin noon, na sipag at tiyaga lang talaga ang kailangan, para makamit ang mga pangarap sa buhay. — Narciso C. Albiso, C/S Lodbrog

(Tama ka, better late than never. Maraming salamat! – Editor)

Adjusting to onboard duties

I am onboard the containership M/S Leda Maersk. The crew is off mixed nationality – Danish and Thais – and we are eight Filipinos.  

During my first week, it’s quite easy as a steward. Although I hear other stewards complain of their difficulties in adjusting to the work onboard, I find it a little easy with my training at UFS. Having learned a lot, particularly those not taught in school, while a volunteer at UFS, I encountered difficulties with positive thought and happy resolve – I may now on a journey towards my dreams and I’ll give everything I’ve got to get it!

But of course, these things would not have happened without the light shining on me and the door opening for me. Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, you gave me light and opened the door, thank you. — Julius Cilmar, M/S Leda Maersk, Esplanaden, Copenhagen

(Go on young man and pursue your dreams. Thank you too for such wonderful words. – Editor)

Photo at right is Porto de Santos, one of the busiest ports in Spain, photo sent by UFS volunteer Julius Cilmar.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Alam n’yo, kaming mga Pinoy dito sa M/V Ace Dragon ay sabik na sabik sa mga balitang marino at kung ano ang nangyayari sa ating bansa. Kahit na para kaming namamasyal sa paglalagare ng aming barko dito sa Amerika at Asya, hindi maalis ang aming damdaming Pinoy. 

Sana ay padalhan ninyo kami lagi ng kopya ng Tinig ng Marino. Napakahalaga sa amin ito. Ang Tinig ng Marino ay isang dyaryong subok na at talaga namang mapagkakatiwalaan, di tulad ng iba d’yan na dyaryo-dyaryuhan lamang at nagmamaang-maangan pang pang-marino. 

Kalakip nitong sulat ang isang paumanhin dahil ngayon lang ako nakasulat. Kahit magkagayon, palagi naman kayo sa isip at puso ko. 

Kasama ko sa barko ang anak ni Joey Dizon, at ipinararating din niya ang mainit na pagbati sa inyong lahat d’yan.  — Ramon Bautista, M/V Ace Dragon

(Maraming salamat sa iyo dahil kahit alam naming bising-bisi ka ay humanap ka ng paraan upang iparating mo sa amin ang iyong mensahe. Tungkol sa Tinig ng Marino, ginagawa namin ang lahat nang makakayanan namin upang mapadalhan ang lahat ng marinong Pinoy, kahit nasaan man sila, sa karagatan man o sa puerto. – Editor)

The crew of M/V Ace pose while in Vancouver, Canada. From right, R. Bautista, OS A. dela Cruz, Oiler C. Abrina, 1/E M. Popes, AB A. Amorte, and OS R. Mores
 
 
 
 
 
 

I’m here in Kobe, Japan discharging caster oil, after which we will proceed to Ulsan, Korea, to discharge ethanol. Our ship is a newly-built 5,376-ton tanker with 18 crew members, 14 Filipino and 4 Koreans – master, chief mate, chief engineer and bosun.

Now I realize what you’ve always been telling us – the life of a seafarer is difficult. As a first timer, I have to fulfill my duties, no matter how hard they may be. Perhaps, I am still in what you were saying as a period of adjustment. 

Anyway, thank you very much Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez for teaching us lessons in seamanship and in life that we now find very useful in hurdling the difficulties of life at sea. Without your help I may still be a banana vendor in Monumento. I sincerely appreciate what you’ve done for me and I know all of those, hundreds, perhaps thousands before me whom you’ve guided and assisted in getting their first deployment. For that and for the many things that I’ve learned while staying at UFS, I am very proud be a UFS volunteer. And to all the volunteers there in UFS: Prayers, perseverance, industry and hardwork are important in making your dreams come true. 

My best regards to the members of the UFS family and Barangay Tinig. — Rolando M. Jamero, M/T Stolt Orchid, Kobe, Japan

(Walang madali sa buhay, lalo na sa pagmamarino. Thanks for the imparting some wisdom to your fellow UFS volunteers. I am glad, you’re doing fine and you’ll always be fine as long as you do what is right. Huwag matakot sa hirap ng trabaho, ang katakutan mo ay yung wala kang trabaho. -- Editor)

Isang tagahanga, isang naniniwala

Isa lamang po ako sa maraming marinong hunahanga sa inyo. Ito ay sa kadahilang napakarami n’yo nang nagawa para sa lahat ng mga marino. That’s why I have decided na maging isang miyembro ng UFS nitong Oct. 27, 2003, and I am very proud to have you as our president. Naglakas loob po akong sumulat sa inyo dahil nais kong humingi ng tulong para matanggap sa ibang kompanya. Hindi naman po lihim sa inyo na napakahirap mag-aplay ngayon dahil na rin sa dami ng kakumpitensya. 

I’ve been inactive for the past three years, since Dec. 1999. I was diagnosed of having hemorrhoids (almoranas) and was sent home. Dala na marahil ng pressure sa trabaho, kaya ako nagkaroon nito. Pero, when I went home, I underwent minor surgery at Manila Medical Center at sa awa naman po ng Diyos, ako po ay fit to work na.

Walong taon po ako sa isang kompanya dito, since 1991. Hindi ko na po nagawang lumipat sa kadahilang buong akala ko ay hindi magbabago ang sitwasyon. I’ve tried to go back but they’d never gave me a chance na makasakay sa isang principal nila sa kadahilanang wala po akong US Visa at experience sa container. Bukod po diyan yong akin pong pinanggalingang mga barko ay isa-isa ng naibenta. Sa madaling salita taon o mahigit pa ang istambay ng mga ratings doon bago makasakay muli. Gan’on pa man wala naman akong hinanakit, katunayan nga niyan ay malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanila dahil sa kanila ako nagsimula. ‘Yun nga lang nagkasabay-sabay naman ang aking kamalasan dahil sa iyon pong nakuha kong insurance ay ipinambayad ko lang sa ospital para sa mother ko na inatake sa puso. I’ve done everything to save her, but unfortunately, she died. 

Sa ngayon ay nag-iisang naghahanapbuhay ang aking ama para may pangtustos sa araw-araw. Sa kanya po ako umaasa sa ngayon dahil po ang aking mga kapatid ay may kanya-kaniya ng pamilya. Umaasa po ako na sana’y matulungan n’yo akong maging aktibo muli. Hindi lang po ako ang inyong matutulungan, kung hindi pati na rin ang aking buong pamilya. — AB Ramon D. Saringo, Roxas District, Quezon City

(Totoo ang sinabi mo, mahirap ngayon ang sumakay sa barko. Subalit naiiintindihan ko rin ang nararamdaman mo. Bagamat wala akong maipapangako, magtungo ka na lamang sa opisina ng UFS at makipagkita sa akin. – Editor)  

Mabuhay ang Tinig ng Marino

Sa editor at mga staff ng Tinig ng Marino, ang babasahing di namin pagsasawaang tangkilikin, Mabuhay Kayong Lahat! Bunga ng pagtitiwala ko sa Tinig at UFS, gusto kong mag-subscribe dito. Ipadala lamang ito sa kalakip na address. — 2nd Mate Alberto M. Banaynal, M/T Seagrace, Intermare Maritime Agency Inc.

(Maraming salamat sa iyong pagtitiwala sa Tinig ng Marino. Makakaasa kang regular na darating ang iyong kopya nito. – Editor) 

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