Dose of comedy for a charitable cause
Local maritime folks should take a break from mundane matters and watch the Broadway comedy ‘Defending the Caveman’ on 6th May in Makati City. Written by Rob Becker, the longest running solo play in...
View ArticleGreat tips for maritime expats (updated)
Our original 10 tips for maritime expats in Manila, which came out in May 2010, drew some positive reactions from the foreign maritime community. Said one expat after reading the article: “Actually we...
View ArticleThe house of the flag administration
It is, to use a term that was once in vogue, a Third World country. Yet surely the Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority deserves a more decent home. The Parkview Plaza along Taft Avenue in Manila...
View ArticleA prayer for the Day of the Seafarer
In Manila, the authorities will give free rides to seafarers on the Metro Rail Transit in the early morning and late afternoon. In London, the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy will offer discounts on some of...
View ArticleA cat’s view of training centres in Manila
Frankie the Philosopher Cat asked to be let out of our house when the weather cleared up after two recent storms. He said he wanted to check out the maritime training centres in Manila. He was gone for...
View ArticleA foray into maritime book writing
No, I have not joined a monastic order. The reason this blog was not updated for more than a fortnight is that I have been immersing myself like a 15th-century monk in an exciting new project. I am...
View ArticleIs it really the Year of the Seafarer?
We’ve had some doubts on the matter, and they were reinforced yesterday. A young man who’s due to join a cruise ship complained to us about he and others being… Continue reading "Is it really the Year...
View ArticleWhere human life is very cheap
The nationally televised bus hijack and hostage drama in Manila ended on the same day it began on Monday (23rd August) with the death of eight Chinese tourists from Hong… Continue reading "Where human...
View ArticleWhat a difference two decades make
Earlier this week, The Economist online edition posted the 2009 list of the world’s largest container ports side by side with the list of 20 years ealier. Never mind the… Continue reading "What a...
View ArticleShall we dare look at the mirror?
A few days ago, we got hold of a copy of “Top 100 Container Ports 2010” produced by Cargo Systems, a publication of the UK-based Informa. Our eyes instinctively darted… Continue reading "Shall we dare...
View ArticleBiggest obstacle to a clean planet
The celebration of Clean Up the World Weekend 2010 (17th-19th September) reminded us of how the late Filipino writer Nick Joaquin, writing under his pen name, Quijano de Manila, once… Continue reading...
View ArticleGetting on board an ECDIS bandwagon
We’ve just received word from Transas St Petersburg that EPSILON Hellas and its Manila-based Epsilon Maritime Services have signed up for GET-Net, Transas’ global ECDIS training network. Their...
View ArticleDose of comedy for a charitable cause
Local maritime folks should take a break from mundane matters and watch the Broadway comedy ‘Defending the Caveman’ on 6th May in Makati City. Written by Rob Becker, the longest… Continue reading "Dose...
View ArticleGreat tips for maritime expats (updated)
Our original 10 tips for maritime expats in Manila, which came out in May 2010, drew some positive reactions from the foreign maritime community. Said one expat after reading the… Continue reading...
View Article10 tips for maritime expats in Manila
No matter its reputation in the international press, Metro Manila is still one of the best places in Asia for foreigners to work and live in. The folks are friendly. The women are beautiful. And food...
View ArticleIMO biggies and Filipino hospitality
Manila’s maritime sector is in a tizzy. An IMO Diplomatic Conference will take place in the Philippine capital from 21st to 25th June to adopt proposed amendments to the STCW Convention and Code....
View ArticleThe golden goose known as STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, is not just a treaty. It’s also a money-spinner or, if you’re a fan of Aesop’s Fables, the...
View ArticleWhen Saturday becomes sheer fun
The “Party in the Park” held on 26th June at Manila’s Rizal Park (a.k.a. Luneta) was a tremendous success, according to Roger Harris, executive director of the organising body, International Committee...
View ArticleIs it really the Year of the Seafarer?
We’ve had some doubts on the matter, and they were reinforced yesterday. A young man who’s due to join a cruise ship complained to us about he and others being required by their agency to undergo...
View ArticleWhere human life is very cheap
The nationally televised bus hijack and hostage drama in Manila ended on the same day it began on Monday (23rd August) with the death of eight Chinese tourists from Hong Kong and the hostage-taker, a...
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