National Maritime Day

Photo c/o askideas.com

According to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) there are 1.6-million seafarers worldwide. I come from a family of seafarers. My father was a marine engineer, a younger brother was a ship captain, and my youngest brother used to work in a cruise ship.

Today is their day, it's National Maritime Day. My dad and brothers were just an example of a long line of seafarers in my family.  I had uncles, grandfathers, cousins, nephews, and other distant relatives who were seafarers.  It was the go-to job back then---the pay was good and you get to travel and visit all these exotic places.  I was always enthralled and amazed when these family members would come home for their yearly R&R, and be regaled by tales of adventure.

I too wanted to be a part of that maritime world but my father said it was a lonely life.  There was the fact that you would be away from your family and loved ones most of the time.  My brothers also mentioned the loneliness I'll experience out at sea for days without seeing any land.  In the end, I didn't get to study and become a marine engineer nor a ship officer.  Up to this day, I still feel a sense of wonder and adventure every time I see a ship.

The ICS says that the five largest supply countries for seafarers are Ukraine, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Russian Federation.  It seems natural for the Philippines and Indonesia to produce seafarers because they are composed of islands, who would naturally have good navigators and seafarers.  But I'm surprised of the inclusion of China, Russia and Ukraine.  Nevertheless, here's a salute to the men and women who sail the seven seas.