How to Cope Up:

Webinar Series on Real

Shipboard Life Experiences
Work Pressure

• Shipboard community issues

• Shipboard workplace issues
• Overcoming Pressure due to lack of experiences
Shipboard Community Issues
 Shipboard Community Issues

“BARANGAYAN”

This is a prevalent issue onboard. Usually, this happens a lot in

ships manned by full crew Filipino.

If you are an Ilonggo, a group of Ilonggos will ask you to join them in
their inuman session or other recreational activities. If you are a
Bisaya, then another group will invite you to have fun with them.

It’s closely related to “Bata-bata System”

 Shipboard Community Issues

Scenario:

AB dela Cruz is an Ilonggo. Cadet Ochoa is also an Ilonggo. They

bonded and eventually, they became close. AB Santos, a Bisaya, is
also a good friend of Cadet Ochoa. Now, AB dela Cruz had a fight
with AB Santos. Later on, Cadet Ochoa found out that Santos is the
one at fault.

Which side should Cadet Ochoa take?

 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested answer:

NONE. He has to be neutral.

Even though, Cadet Ochoa is much closer to AB dela Cruz. He
shouldn’t meddle with the affairs of the two. If he will be asked for a
suggestion, he should answer as safely or as neutral as possible.

“Sir, baka pwede nyo namang pag-usapan ni Sir Santos yan” or

“Bahala na kayo dyan sir. Hehehe” or you can change the topic and
make the mood as funny as it can be.
 Shipboard Community Issues

“HOW TO ADDRESS A CREW”

When you are a cadet, at all times, you should address all the
personnel onboard as “sirs”.

Regardless of rank, age or nationality, or if you are close or not, or

your older than a crew…still you should use “SIR”
 Shipboard Community Issues

Scenario 1:

OS Frank is 22 years old. Deck Cadet Martinez is 23 years old. The

cadet has already been in the ship for almost eight (8) months
already. The OS has just joined the vessel.

How should cadet Martinez address the OS, by his name or as

Sir?
 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

He has to address the oiler as Sir Frank.

Even though Cadet Martinez is older, as cadets, he still is in the
lowest part of the chain, or the “lowest mammal” as they say.
However, he shouldn’t take it at heart the term “lowest mammal”.

It isn’t a term to undermine his worth, it isn’t used to depreciate his

value as a crew but rather, it’s just a means to tell him that he still
have a lot to learn. And for him to learn, he can learn from those
who already have the experience.
Workplace Issues
 Shipboard Community Issues

TAKING PART OF THE CLEANING

As cadets, you are not obligated to really take part of the cleaning
stations onboard. The cleaning stations are already designated to
every crew onboard. (Engine Department, Deck Department, Galley
Department).
 Shipboard Community Issues

Scenario:

One day, cadet was mopping the floor. His officer saw him and told
him that it isn’t his job and to let go of the mop. The next day, engine
Cadet was sitting in the chair in the ECR. The wiper, the one in-
charge of cleaning the ECR, asked the cadet to help him with
mopping the floor.

If you are the cadet, how should you act in this situation?
 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

Tell the wiper you are prohibited by your officer to take hold of
a mop.

Be honest with the wiper. Explain to him what transpired the other
day. That your officer has prohibited you to take hold of the mop as
it isn’t your job to clean. Explain to him the possible repercussions
you may get if you will be caught by that officer.

Respectfully decline the request of the wiper.

 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

Help the wiper with the cleaning.

If you are not allowed to mop, then do other things that may help
him. You can arrange the table or the chairs, wash the cups, put
water in the electric kettle and other things that could benefit the
wiper.
 Shipboard Community Issues

RUNNING ERRANDS

As cadets, you are not obligated to really take part of the cleaning
stations onboard. The cleaning stations are already designated to
every crew onboard. (Engine Department, Deck Department,
Galley).
 Shipboard Community Issues

Scenario:

An able-bodied seaman asked you to bring the garbage from the bin
in the bridge to the engine room for incineration.

How should you act in this situation?

 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

Grant the request of the AB.

If you are not busy, or if its along the way, take the garbage with
you. It is true that the Chief Officer or Chief Engineer is in charge of
your education. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will
only be taking orders from them.

In the ship, maintaining a harmonious relationship with all the

personnel onboard will greatly help you at work or even outside the
work.
 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

However, if asking favors becomes prevalent, you have to exercise

maximum tolerance and careful scrutiny of the situation. Perhaps,
you are already taken advantage of. But then again, you have to
weigh things down and avoid jumping into conclusion.

But sometimes, cadets are really exploited for their naivety

brought by their lack of experience.
Overcoming Pressure Due to
Lack of Experience
 Shipboard Community Issues

IMPLIED WAY OF TELLING YOU “BOBO”

As cadets, you may be asked to carry out various jobs and tasks. All
of these form part of your training. It is expected of all ranks,
including cadets that all on board must carry out all legal and lawful
orders of their superiors.

Sometimes, the crew and even our officers would overestimate your
capabilities, knowledge and skills. And sometimes, due to
disappointment,they may impliedly show or tell you that you are
“bobo” in a way; or worst, they may expressly say it out loud.
 Shipboard Community Issues

Scenario:

Engine cadet Martinez and 3AE Baltazar have overhauled two

purifiers already. On their 3rd overhauling of the purifier, 3AE asked
the cadet to loosen up the lock nut. However, the cadet did not know
what a lock nut is. Because of disappointment of the 3AE, he uttered
to himself the words “ambobo naman nito” without him actually
meaning to let the cadet hear those words. Unfortunately, the cadet
hear the words clearly.

If you are Cadet Martinez, how will you act in this situation?
 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

Just shrug it off.

Don’t take it at heart. It would really take a toll on your confidence

when you hear that despicable word. However, you shouldn’t let it
bring you down. Instead, make it as an inspiration to show your
officers or whoever would tell you that word, that they are wrong
about it. Show them what you really got.
 Shipboard Community Issues

Suggested Answer:

You also have to do your part. Don’t just rely on your officers alone.
Make it as a rule on yourself, “Nothing will go wrong with Instruction
Manuals”.

So keep on reading. Make it a habit. If you have a great foundation

of theoretical knowledge, you can easily obtain the practical skills.
 Shipboard Community Issues

OTHER MATTERS

BULLYING/ HARASSMENT
~Religion
~Sexual Orientation / Preference
~Physical Appearance (Height, Skin Color, Facial Features)
Open Forum