Ino's Covers # 4 - YOUR MAN by JOSH TURNER

Waves of Thoughts: The Academe and The High Seas

FLASHBACK

 

Prologue
My life is in shambles.
I had to get out from the cacophony of disturbances crowding my mind, sipping my energy to wastage.
I am venturing into another endeavor, hoping it would make amends with the follies of my first venture in the career world.
With an errand in hand,I entered the institution which will help me travel the world for free.
The lure of maritime world engulfed me.
Seafaring,that is...as part of the second phase in my career as a person.
As a sailor.
(©IAA,May1998)

 Chapter 1-The Voucher & The E-Form

I multi-tasked a lot during my radio years.

I volunteered a lot, suffice to say.

The voucher for unpaid ads by the local maritime school
led me to a decision to enrol in a basic seaman's course.

I did the IQ test, revealing a superior rating.One of the school's staff tried convincing me to enrol in either nautical or engine department due to my high scores in four areas (psycho test,abstract reasoning, mathematics and language).

During that time, I only wanted to escape radio, due to insufficient salary, a threat and the declared bankruptcy of the owner.

Those brick-a-brac of baggage have been nagging my mind,along with my love life and family.

I don't want to be dubbed as stagnant in this broadcasting job,with routinary tasks of field work or assignment, coverage of special event,news-writing,among other special engagements (host, speaker as invited in other places).

I got tired of talking.

Having a license to talk led me to many intrigues, more often pivoted by local political shenanigans.

I had to get out from the four corners of the announcer's booth.

Away from the hustle and bustle of public service life.

I'll namedrop one of the ditties of the King of Rock N' Roll.

"It's Now or Never."

 

Chapter 2-First Day of Classes @MPCF-Baras

(June1998)

It's nothing fancy for me.

I had to wake up as early as four in the morning because I still have to sign-on thirty minutes later for my morning show.

First off, I prepared the news items I've typewritten for our news director and station manager.

I still acted as production assistant(PA),receiving headlines from field reporters.Others were already recorded; but I still have to assist the technician for playback.

Radio works are both exciting but also energy-draining.

First period in school starts at seven. I must attend the flag ceremony and hear some.instructions from department heads and selected staff.

I already got my class cards and the search for assigned classrooms will be my little discomfort.

Familiarization of school facilities,the continuation of enrolment for late entrants were the agenda of the first day.

For me, I must submit the grades of my credited subjects from Ateneo but the registrar didn't want to issue my documents due to unsettled account.

My classmates have varying ages,from 17 to late 20s,like me.

The Catering department where I belong will have subjects,like Seamanship,Cutlery 1&2 or Cooking,Baking,Bartending,Stewarding,Firefighting, Marpol 1&2,Foreign Language,Swimming and other minor subjects.

My early demerit was my last period for the day (7:00 PM).I was late due to my difficulty finding the assigned room.

Whew! The lady instructor happens to be a civil engineer by profession but mastered the subject on Marine Pollution.

She will become my confidante in the school,later,as I hurdle the rigors of being a sailor-student.

(Engr.Armelfa'Armi'Olea is still in the school,now supervising the science laboratory.)

 Chapter 3-Corps of Midshipmen

Its the same with the responsibilities of being an officer in Supreme Student Government.

The COM,composed mainly of dedicated cadets who are voted by the student body in order to manage student activities in coordination with the program of school administration.

The COM acts as the umbrella organization of different clubs (Anchor, Propeller, Customs and Seaman's Clubs).

I belong to the Seaman's Club.

I was late for the elections for the Catering department.Funny,my co-cadets have been nominating me since the position of the Skipper up to the Vice Skipper.

I came running and before I sit down, I was already nominated as Yeoman and won, functioning as batch secretary.

We only have one year to show our dedication to the club through our responsibilities.

With the help of COM, we were able to fulfill our programs,like the Bingo Bonanza and the monthly cake raffle draw, with its proceeds as additional allowances for working students.

Amid the COM controversies,with its ransacked office, underneath the staircase of the main building, our batch persevered.

We left our Seaman's Club with enough fund to start a fruitful year of the next batch.

©IAA

 

Chapter 4 - SEAMANSHIP

Stories of bravery while hurdling the perils of the high seas are what maritime cadets perceive when we came across with this word.

In the school, our subject instructors, two of whom were boatswains (bosun's mate or bosun) taught us the rudiments on how to jive with the waves, crests and troughs of the Seven Seas.

From the intricate knot tying (whether metal or plastic mooring lines), balancing on the bosun's chair to do paint works at the outer ship's hull, knowing how to drive or man the steering wheel at the bridge (starboard side, port side, etc.) and how to stay sane in the rigors of seaman's works...all were inculcated in our minds.

The theories being taught in the maritime school should be adopted positively on-board the sailing community or the ship.

Seamanship gave me, part and parcel about the TRUE NORTH or direction of honest-to-goodness sailors.

It's not only about giving directions to all ratings but involves the tenacity of officers to make wise and just decisions when emergency arise or the safety of the ship has been breached.

 Chapter 5 - Into the Training Ship and Apprenticeship Program

After the 10-month stay at the maritime institution, the ring-hop, salute to the seven seas ceremony,receiving of honors,special awards and.diplomas...

Naval cadets and some cadettes were all agog for the apprenticeship program of many shipping companies, including the school.

Whereas, most of our batch have to undergo OJT(on-job training) at the training ship, anchored at Legazpi City waters.

We,as part of catering department were required to have a one-month international cuisine training.

Some of us availed of the school's OJT programs while others looked for other companies in order complete the requirements as pre-requisites for commercial ship embarkation, along with passport and seaman's book.

I continued my apprenticeship program in Manila at the seaman's center of the agency.

A year after, with all the trainings and unforgettable experiences, it's time to embark on my first commercial ship.

 Chapter 6 - Seafaring: The Plunge Into The Sea World

I started writing online about my first decade in seafaring, how it affected my life (as well as my family and friends).

I became 'thesailor' on the web and became engrossed with whatever things I've learned during those years of challenges and triumphs onboard a commercial vessels as cook.

 Chapter 7 - Greeks and the Seafaring World

We owe it to them..the Greeks, who in their grandeur times have been hailed as A-1 sailors of Europe.

Their forefathers were able to invent navigational tools that were able to calculate accurate travel time and the like.

Most Greek shipping agencies are employing Filipino sailors, both officers and crew, because they trust them as they (Filipino seafarers) are both trustworthy and dependable, especially during emergency situations on-board ships.

 Chapter 8 - Seafarers and The Question of Health

Gall stones, Cirrhosis, Fatty Liver...and the worst of all, HIV/AIDS. Most seafarers are oblivious of their safety when it comes to physical health.

The usual jest among sailors, " In every port, there's a woman waiting." Or something like that...it dawned on me that this is usually true, amid the strict implementation of ISPS Code.

That's why, the risk of being inflicted of deadly disease, such as A.I.D.S. is always at bay, every time a sailor is on shore leave.

 Chapter 9 - The Views between Love and Lust

The challenge to keep sane or be tempted to try 'anything' on board ship will always be the most trying times among sailor in order to fight homesickness and boredom.

 

Like, writing poems and turning it into songs to keep away from my lustful thoughts.

 

I almost surrendered to the craving of the flesh. Thanks to the Lord Almighty for always reminding me about the true direction of life through his Words from the Bible.

 

Chapter 10 - Faith in God or Supreme Being

In all that we do, there's always Someone who's watching Us, knows our every motive and our disposition in life.

 

Author's Note:  Please read my articles on thesailor.hubpages.com and LIKE my Special Seafarers' Stories at Facebook.com

1. https://www.facebook.com/thesailor1971

2. http://thesailor.hubpages.com/