One thing for certain every seaman does is count the days. Once their ship sets out to sea – how many days until they return? How many days do they need to stay aboard the ship to work to fulfill their obligation? On a long International voyage – how many days until the next port? “Travel brings power and love back into your life.” Rumi Meanwhile back at home there is family missing their presence too. Here are a few thoughts for the family and the seaman to think about in their … [Read more...]
Are You Prepared To Navigate Uncharted Waters?
The first time a ship goes through stormy seas with a new crew on board it’s as if it is everyone’s first storm. What needs to be battened down? Certain doors latches don’t keep the watertight seal. During the night new sounds of creaks and moans from the rolling vessel. The first clear day after the storm clears an inspection around the ship will invariably find loose gear and with good fortune no major damage or missing gear washed overboard. Now this crew will be better prepared on … [Read more...]
You’re Great at What You Know, Do You Seek Help For What You Don’t?
Sailors aboard ships all over the world know and understand the need for drills. The repetition of the various duties and roles will cement in each person’s mind what needs to be done in an emergency situation. Then, if something does happen, the thinking component is replaced by the practiced action and understanding of the specific situation. Everyone responds because they are trained as a unit and the situation is handled. What happens when a wrinkle to a situation happens? The old fly in … [Read more...]
Do You Always Follow The Rules?
There are certain people that take rules to be a challenge to their intellect. Or possibly their ego. Either way for me Elon Musk comes to mind. For example in April 2018 Elon Musk passed this on to employees – “Walk out of a meeting or drop off a call as soon as it is obvious you aren’t adding value,” the boss exhorts. “It is not rude to leave, it is rude to make someone stay and waste their time.” And there’s more: “Communication should travel via the shortest path necessary to … [Read more...]
Where Are You At Your Best?
"A ship is meant to be its best while at sea. This is what she was built for and designed to do." ~ Mitch Tublin In addition, the daily routine that everyone in the crew aboard the ship gets into is calming in and of itself. Sure there are times when Mother Nature and Neptune, the King of the Seas seem to be at war with each other. Yet, for the most part everyone is at one with nature and the safe feeling of being aboard their ship. For example, the daily watch standers at sea in the … [Read more...]
Do You Know What It’s Like To Run Out Of Water?
Did you know that of the 25 Country Populations with the least access to water – defined as having water less than 1 kilometer away from its place of use - is having access – 19 of these countries are in Africa. Do you ever even think about where your next drink of water will come from? When my kids were young they were certain I was really an old geezer, even in my thirties. “So Dad, did you vote for Abe Lincoln?” One thing for certain is growing up in the United States I never once … [Read more...]
