RECENT FINANCIAL MISTAKES

Things are looking well for me on my usual routines , and my preparations for my next ship assignment have been ok (at least on the equipment i had to bring ) with a few notable exceptions.

 

I'm quite worried that some supplies needed wont be bought in time , like for my work clothes and medicines , not to mention some other equipment's that are being "on pending" status yearly because of budget concerns., to add more this includes long term projects.

 

To be direct the primary cause why I'm having this budget issues is because of my sister. Apparently she has been borrowing  much money from me and this year alone and she's borrowing too much. As in around 80k Php this year alone, which is horrifying on my wallet and budget and , 100 percent straining on my financial capabilities. To make matters worse there is no absolute guarantee that this large amount will be brought back , and I'm only relaying on the part "In good faith" which isn't exactly reliable to begin with . Gambling with 80k to begin with is a very risky and if something goes wrong my whole stay (and vacation here) would be disastrous ., there's a possibility that i might be stuck here for a long time because that

 

In any case , it is very foolish of me to be even trusting that huge amount in the first place - even on logical reasoning, hopefully i could walk out of this mess again like any other mess i went thru before. If this happens again by next year , I'd definitely protest and will not cooperate. This cannot continue and I don't want anymore wastefulness when it comes to money. 

 

Since mostly I'm just around the house - i mostly just go thru on the work testing my equipment or in someway improve or refine my equipment. Lately i had been fiddling around with my mac computer , and see how far can this old computer can go after being around for at least ten years., I had been also searching online for replaceable parts of this computer such as batteries ., Fortunately parts on this old mac are not that hard to find and i easily found possible battery replacements in a click of a button

 

"NEXT EVOLUTION" PROJECT

For now my career as a seafarer , is pretty stable and at now its height - Now the big question remains on how long will I be at the height of my career. Surely from my logical thinking the universal law of atrophy applies to all and that it's possible that one day my career as a seafarer will end ., On what date and time will it end is still up to be seen.

For now , like I said I'm pretty much stable on the job position and possibly I could still be around a couple of more years , but then after that will be a big problem for me . Sadly "Ratings" category on being a seafarer has an age limit meaning that the inevitable that I became too old for them (and probably out lived my usefulness) , I will be discarded just like any other seaman that got too old to work., and this is the reason why now I'm writing - what will be my next step after being a seafarer., 

One plan that I had been coming up ( out of the many possible plans ) lately is to start all over on another career. Probably jump to the aeronautical profession ., I have done a preliminary investigation (and more will be done ) on "how to be become an airline pilot" and found out recently that , it's not that difficult to be a pilot compared to being a seafarer in the Philippines. With the rising cost of education and training on seafarer's plus the limited employment opportunities offered where almost more than half of the class will not be employed anytime soon ., a student would start to think that being a airline pilot would be more than pragmatic.

Now being an airline pilot has its own share of problems ., first and foremost (and the biggest blockade) the number one reason why there aren't so many airline (Filipino) pilots to begin with is the cost of the education and training fee which is a staggering 2.6 Million Pesos to somewhere around 4.1 Million ., ( or in between that which depends on the school ) . Definitely the price tag of the training and education is NOT FOR A COMMONAIRE ., any student being educated on this type of programs should have a large pool of money to back up there education . To make it worst , the education in becoming an Airline Pilot is not on installment basis payment ., meaning a student has to pay in full the fee's for training and education. So the student should be prepared to basically drill a huge hole on they're wallets. 

The good side in being an airline pilot, is that basically anybody can be an airline pilot given that he / she completes the training education and licenses., the pre requisites are not that strict (at least on the Philippines) and rules are not that dogmatic., and to top it off , the employment opportunities are not that bleak as compared to being a seafarer.. 

My early inquires on aeronautical schools reveal that airline pilots education and training are in four stages ., two are compulsory and the other two are optional.  First is PPL (private pilot license) which is equivalent like a "student license" in driving a car., Second is CPL ( Commercial Pilot license) which is equivalent to "professional driver's license" ., These two are compulsory and imperative to be taken ., 

The other two license are optional and these are ATPL (airline transport pilot license) , basically I have no information about this yet but I do know it’s a "hardcore" mode of sorts . Flight instructor license , which practically means you're a teacher in a aeronautical school and building up flight hours experience. 

Anyway on my case….. 

Probably I should have started preparing on this project years ago., in fact I should have started on this year's back and possibly a decade back when I was still a rookie seafarer and should have been one of the "Back up" professions incase my career as a seafarer would not materialize (or materialize) or met some disastrous event. Targeting 4.1 Million pesos is a tall order and therefore will take time to accomplish, even my rough current estimates would take me at least half a decade to accomplish ., let alone the time it takes for the implementation of the training.

FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS

 Continuing on the work i left off on my last entry on this journal, I have already finishing updating some software apps on my Dell gaming computer and have already added a few games from the steam library.  So basically the only left work for me there is to do a few minor cosmetic clean up the dell laptop and it will be packed back to my luggage. 

(Due to budget constrictions ., I can only produce 2 MGP units , ("mobile gadgets platform") out of three intended for my electronic equipment. )

Another thing I had to update is my Nintendo Switch gaming console ., I added a couple more games that Nintendo offers for free . Unfortunately for me expanding my library games on Nintendo switch is limited due to two reasons , One is the cost of each Nintendo games purchased is expensive and can only buy a few games once in a while, Second reason is the limited memory I have on my gaming console which up to now I'm still having problems buying a bigger SD cards due to availability. Probably updating my Nintendo Switch will be finished sometime today.  

And another thing I had been up to, is to reuse again my old HP gaming laptop which I bought way back 2013. Strangely to my surprise this old laptop functions well for its age and still performs good. Although I still haven't tested this old computer yet for playing games on steam and if it still can perform like an old gaming laptop years back. I remember I stopped using this computer years back when its power systems started to fail for some reason and upon further checking I found out that the root of the problem was the battery , and to complicate the problem further is that this HP's computer battery was internal and not external . Meaning it cannot be removed without opening the casing of this computer and taking a look inside. I stopped using this computer sometime in 2016 and it was "on the box" for some years up until now when I finally figured out on how to remove the internal battery of the computer (or got an idea on how to exactly remove it). As soon the battery was removed ., I factory reset the computer back to its  windows 8 operating system state and started working there . 

Another thing that I had updated recently , is this journal and for the first time ever I might be entirely relaying on a cloud service (courtesy of Microsoft Onedrive ) to integrate and centralize my entries on this blog. Basically all my notes on all my devices ., no central or main hard drives to work with , just some storage up in the internet . Therefore , my entries here will be similar to all my numerous devices as long as it is connected and on sync in a Microsoft user account . All my notes and entries will be the same regardless of what kind of platform or device I will be using.  

Of course having an offline journal doesn’t mean its going to be obsolete , I'm still keeping an offline journal on my hard drives as a redundant form of journaling incase being online and sync  will be limited (as such on my case being a seafarer were internet connection would be scarce) . 

MGP Project

In a couple of past few days i was busy on a lot of things ., mostly stuff related to my work . I'm not exactly on work right now but I'm mostly developing equipment that might be of use on my next ship assigned , which includes both software and hardware type of equipment.

 

One such project i had been working out is a "Mobile Gadgets Platform" ., which is more like a fancy name for a foldable laptop desk. Basically my idea is more like having my electronic gadgets be put up on a small portable (and foldable) desk for a laptop. Anyway for now i cant really give much detail about this since its in the "prototype" phase and will have to do some more refining and test . Its final trial (if this project ever makes it) will be the actual usage when i'm working onboard on a ship.

 

another thing i had been working on is upgrading of the vintage MacBook i got on an online buy and sell site. The MacBook i bought is apparently vintage and obsolete now in todays MacBook's standards and yet surprisingly it still works fine (software wise) despite being around for at least over a decade. I tried to upgrade this Mac on the software and at least put it on the nearest usable operating system it has to offer. "El Capitan" Operating System is the nearest i could upgrade without hacking the system ., I'm worried that if i hacked on the system and upgraded it to the latest O.S. (High Sierra or Catalina) , there would be some functions on its hardware that would be unusable like for example its "trackpad" or the "WIFI device". Apparently this was mentioned by the hacker i saw on YouTube when he showed it in his channel. He explained that it has something to do with the hardware and that Mac's have problems when it comes to backward compatibility issue when it comes to hardware unlike Microsoft windows.

 

In any case i didn't bother to upgrade the mac any further than "El Capitan" ., I figured that its too much of a hassle (and risk) in sacrificing a trackpad or the WIFI device - it will be better off when i buy a much more better Mac next year and that i only bought a MacBook for the reasons of being familiar with the in's and out of using apple software.  Speaking of software upgrades ., I did purchase an app in the apps store in Mac unfortunately when the time came to "activate" the app ., it simply ceased to function and a pop message keeps coming up telling me to "purchase" the app. hmpf ., i have already purchased the app and the only thing I'm wondering is why this app hasn't been activated yet ??? i already wrote a number of emails on the developer of the app and i didn't get a single reply. Really serves me a lesson on not to trust apps and hand out my credit card details because of this ., totally a waste of money.

 

In other news ...

 

I'm also into upgrading a few software's on my regular windows 10 device ., one of these upgrades that i had been doing is also expanding my steam games library by purchasing a few new games ., Thankfully steam platform always offers discounted games or promo sales which make buying of video games a lot less costly. Aside from that I had also upgrades some few games on my Nintendo switch , although to be frank games in Nintendo switch are expensive which results of me buying a few games on that console.

 

In other news ....

 

Aside from my task of a ton of upgrades and maintenance work on my electronic equipment ., I have also unpacked the stuff i have ordered from shopee online store months ago when i was still onboard. Materials and equipment related specifically for my work as a seafarer involved in maintenance. I unpacked a lot of equipment just stored on my closet,  There's a ton of set of tools i bought and even a whole gas mask set (3m 6800 gas mask) for use in work especially nowadays when there's a pandemic around which probably will last a year or two. I also included  to upgrade my the med kit i have and bought a whole new set for replacement.  

INTEGRATION OSX

A lot has gone by this few months that passed by , and id have to write a separate journal entry on that …  but before I wrote that , I should be writing up first on my most recent progress now that I'm back in the Philippines

 

First off , as soon as I arrived on my house , I immediately came to work on my luggage and replaced equipment that is already deemed obsolete or unnecessary. I replaced some major equipment and checked everything . Fortunately enough for me , I had already prepared the equipment I would be needing for my later work which I had already ordered those equipment in advance and bought them online while I was still onboard . It didn’t took me long to unpack all the stuff I ordered online.

 

Within days , My luggage was ready and the all of the equipment I will be needing for the next ship assignment was in place. Probably on the next ship assignment., I'd be more equip and ready than ever before.

 

Aside from the preparations I had made .. I was also into upgrading and purchasing the recent Mac computer I just bought, ( Its not brand new and I think I wont be buying any brand new mac computers at all) . Basically the Mac computer I bought is around somewhere on the 2009 model ., so hardware wise , its already on the "obsolete" spectrum. Despite of this the mac I bought is not totally a useless junk and believe it or not ., the software inside (and probably hardware as well ) was still intact and in good shape. I spent days in upgrading its software capabilities and testing also its hardware , just to ensure that it can still do "offline" apps the way its supposed to do .

 

So far this mac computer would probably end up being my  "work" computer , since mac computers are more suitable in doing Office apps, Social media,  and light computing task than heavy duty work like based on reviews I just read online , Mac's are not by designed for gaming in the first place. So I guess I would be retiring my Acer tablet computer soon., (assuming that this mac trail will succeed)

 

I guess that’s it for now and will later update this journal about my progress in the days to come. 

WILL RESUME WRITING

took in a couple of months break from writing anything .... hopefully id be back again and resume my updates on this blog ., For now i'm still busy doing some hardware upgrades and doing my best to migrate the old files i have to a new company ...


I'd be in touch as soon as i have finished on this work

CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT STYLE

New rumors are flying again that a crew change (for most filipino crew) will happen somewhere around 2nd of august in Reunion Islands , a French territory island somewhere near Madagascar. "Merk" just gave us the details on what might be a possible crew change ., Of course it’s a "WHAT MIGHT" part - may come true or may not come thru based on the news coming from the office . If this rumor is true then I'd be more than relieved to be getting rid of this principal , GOOD RIDDANCE. !!!

I had been already requesting that I'd be out on this ship as far as back in January and so far nothing is done yet on this and my contract has already went beyond that and going longer than expected because of this COVID pandemic lockdown ., (which in turn left me stranded on this ship). I'd be a dream come thru to be disposing this principal once and for all ., Besides who would want to stay on a company that doesn’t pay crew salaries for the whole 9 months ?? Absolutely no seafarer on their right mind would be willing enough to stay on that kind of treatment .,  Not anyone I know of.

Maybe for now., I just consider this as a rumor and I don’t want to get my hopes up.

In other news .…

As expected "Merk" being fully in charge on deck affairs, has tighten up some work policies. Aside from that being a Filipino with an unpredictable nature., he is also shown us his arrogance and mood swings . There was one instance during the discharge operations that he yelled over the two way radio ,without any reason or warning. It was loud enough to be heard all over the channel 2 frequency and probably any nearby ships who are using that channel. I myself am surprise on that sudden outburst .

Anyway I expected no less , on this kind of behavior when it comes to Filipino ship officers - its predictable that they have a nasty rude manners when it comes to radio conversations . Obviously a toxic and poisonous person in a working environment and anyone caught in the middle of his tantrum will certainly suffer. Another instance of his tantrum , was when someone used a mop on the SOPEP Equipment. He immediately called everyone on the crew to attend his "urgent meeting" and gave everyone a scolding over a trivial matter. Aside from that , he is also seen hovering around like a helicopter and keeping an eye on the deck work area like a jail guard , probably monitoring people.

From what it looks ., "Merk" will be problematic in the long term as a ships official ., but I guess thats another story to be told and a different crew will be a witness to that ., As far as I know "merk's" reign here will be short lived and will only a few months , maybe a two months or three before disembarkation.

After this ships finishes its discharging operations in Rotterdam Netherlands, it will be headed for brazil for a loading operations..  

CREW MOVEMENT

Earlier thinking that this will be a long and arduous campaign., Miraculous news has reached me that Pump Man Carnaje will be going home on grounds of medical leave. Based on the rumors I had been hearing , It’s a case of abdominal hernia which will need surgery for him. Making him leave this ship.

I was over joyed to hear the hear the news that such a misfortune happened to him and this threat to me has ended for the foreseeable future . As long as he is out of the way , rest assured that existence here on this ship will be smooth and probably tolerable.

Oh and I do wish that his intestines would drop and get mixed up like a spaghetti thing when he boards a plane home. Good bye and I hope I will not ever get to  see a monster like him again EVER

In any case during the unloading operation in Netherlands , a new A.B. arrived to replace A.B. jun which is now promoted to pump man (replacing Pump man Carnaje). The new A.B. is a Romanian and is about roughly at least 50 plus years old, So basically he's an oldie. From the looks of it he's not that much of a trouble in the work place so I guess he won't be a problem at all.

Aside from the crew movement ., apparently "Merk" will also be promoted to full chief mate after our Russian chief mate "Smolev" will leave as well here on Netherlands (finish contract). For now I don’t think "Merk" will be a big threat or problem on the deck but there are signs that he's not to be taken lightly ., and based as far as I know when it comes to this kind of work , usually filipino chief mates are disagreeable to work with over numerous reasons.

In any case as long as he is out of my way ., I don’t think he will pose a threat or a problem for the long term.

This is currently what i'm feeling right now , after months without being paid a single cent on my onboard salary ., I have no idea why this company hasnt paid me at all . To duke out my frustration and anger., I simply vandalized a ships equipment 

Crew changes and repatriation are allowed (and even encourage in passenger ships) , although since im not in a passenger ship and working an oil tanker ., I am essential stuck and trapped on this boat until further notice . Sometimes i feel jealous over passenger crews because they workers rights are more monitored compared to any cargo ships around 

BROKE BUT NOT POOR

Just another shitty , penniless day at work . employed but no cash

UNCERTAIN CREW CHANGE

It's been a quiet month for the month of May and this ship has been here for almost a month now in Netherland anchorage area and up to now there is no sign yet that this ship will go to berth yet.

A couple of weeks ago , This ship's Captain told the deck cadet to write down names of any of the crew who wish to go home. Deck cadet wandered around on the crew mess during lunch and asked each crew who's interested . I told him I'm interested to go home early, Now weeks have passed since I said to deck cadet that I'm interested , and there is still no reply coming from OSM nor any news coming from the principal "hartree" about any crew change. Perhaps there will be no reply at all and that "Hartree" (or maybe OSM ) doesn’t have any plan or intention to have a crew change here in netherlands. 

A week ago and by surprise , OSM management along with the principal "hartree" made a video conference to the whole crew at the CCR. From my perception, the video conference was all about the management wanted to know our opinion regarding about being put up here on this ship on a much longer period , and from the way on how conversation went out , it looks like that OSM and Hartree did not have any solid plans yet for a crew change.

Most of the crew never spoke their opinion about this matter during the video conference and those who did spoke , was not actually speaking about crew change issue or crew welfare topic but rather spoke flattery to the company, basically sucking up to the management .

The funny part about this video conference was that , Senior ship officers do the best they can on sucking up - To the point that I get the impression and was astonished that these people are basically "Company man" to the core. From what I saw with my own eyes I'm disgusted on how Filipino ship officer's really sucking up to the company, and that they never really care about the welfare of their fellow Filipino crew or their workers' rights matter . Anyway it's not surprising ,on how my fellow Filipino would behave like this infront of the management (and everyone in general ) , After all it’s the FILIPINO way and that is a fact . having really no shame on having no dignity at all or backbone to stand up with workers rights

filipino ship officer would look like this in a comical way

Filipino seafarers are efficient workers but the dark side is that they are mentally unstable , ruthless, coldhearted , and basically a threat to every fellow filipino around the workplace. Even Filipino Senior ship officers are ruthless enough to be intolerant of minor faults and imposes severe punishments to their Filipino subordinate, they are highly power hungry, Selfish , cruel , ruthlessly sadistic and hot tempered .  Make no mistake , Filipino Chief mate's and Filipino captains shows utter ruthlessness and bloodlust just to accomplish their goals and strongly disapproves failure and disobedience in any form on their subordinates . It is  a Fact that Filipino's are hostile to their own countrymen Period. A person who betrays his fellow country men cannot be fully trusted at all. 

During the video conference , I choose to remain silent and just listen to what was going on . I really wanted to speak and ask the management , if they have any plans at all for a crew change, however i held my tongue and  knew better that if ever I spoke at all about this , It might end up as a "public execution" for me for questioning the management. Being mindful to what happened to me several years back in CF Sharp company were I spoke openly against the management ., It would be rational to just keep my mouth shut on this situation ., Speaking against or questioning the management in front of the crowd of "Company mans" would be as safe as being in the front lines of the battle field - A TOTAL KILL ZONE AREA.  Based on experience as a sailor , having an "open conversation / conference" amongst the crew doesn't really end up good  and never works out . If the company is sincere enough to fix the problem and wants to know the truth about how people think without any fear of persecution or repression , then they should ask the crew one by one without any supervision or any one monitoring the conversation - anything beyond that is PURE BULLSHIT.