Was it fair..?

In July 2010, Capt. Bernadino Santos was committed for trial in Queensland due to 270 tonnes of oil spilt off Queensland coast caused by a ship under his command.

The beauty she commanded suffered from severe storm which caused her 31 containers to go overboard, these fallen containers punctured bunker tanks leading to oil spill.

Protection of the Crew

The highest order of priority when in dire situation. Responsible for the protection of the ship, her cargo and the marine environment. With us the maritime industry progresses, transportation of goods and products made possible.

Protection of the Ship

The moment we left home to start seafaring, ship became our second home. Aside from the fact that she is multi-million dollars worth, she is our fortress against the wrath of angry seas and dreaded unstable weather. Maintaining her seaworthiness is our duty. Saltwater, different climates and weathers all contributes for her fast deterioration. De-rusting and repainting was her defense.

Protection of the marine environment

The international convention for the prevention of oil pollution from ships stipulates strict guidelines in which failure to do so can cause heavy fines for the owner, imprisonment for the crew plus revocation of license to operate plus the eternal association of your name as the marine environment destroyer.

Protection of the Cargo

Maritime industry mainly revolves in the global transport of products/goods form one place to another. The import and export of products is handled by ships circumnavigating the world. Cargoes vary from precious oil on tankers, high end cars, heavy machineries for construction skyscrapers as well as machineries for ro-ros’, general cargoes for bulk carriers. Different types of ship, different types of cargo they carry from simple to a complicated one. Our role is to transport these products from one place to another safely with no zero tolerance for damage or contamination.

When an airplane landed at sea the pilot was commended for his ability to do so. He was being adored, praised and idolized. Some hailed him as a hero.

But when a ship grounded or stranded the Master is a criminal. Instead of honoring him for his cleverness to safely bring the ship to shore with no harm to his crew he is despised for causing the damage to the marine environment.

I understand when they adored the airplane’s pilot if he managed to crash the plane to the sea. What I don’t understand is how they criticize the captain of the ship if an accident met her ship. Maybe because these critics are so use in flying with plane in 2 hours, 12 hour max. Or maybe because when they are a plane passenger the likes of Victoria’s Secret models flight stewardess treat them like kings and queens bringing them foods and drinks. Isn’t it their job?

I hope that one day they can be a cargo ship’s passenger too. First call, transiting Gulf of Aden, off Somalia Coast. A pirate infested area, where up to now ships and her crew were held captives of these bastard pirates. I hope they can feel the worry of our loved ones left at home every time we transit this place.

Next call 30 days voyage form Pacific to Atlantic with no other soul nearby just an endless horizon which seems unreachable. No phone signals and no internet connection, the only to way to communicate ashore is through satellite phones costing 3 to 4 times higher.

I will let these bunch of critics and skeptics experienced eating with their plate dancing on the table to the tune of rough seas and heavy swells. I will let them sleep in a cradle swaying, throwing their body while lying from one end of the bed to another; they will vomit their stomach out, they will be drunk with zero alcohol on their system while they missed the opportunity to sing happy birthday to their kids, or to march with them on their graduation or to exchange gift on Christmas or to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

In Capt. Santos case it seemed that the marine environment is more important than the life of his crew. He was not given a credit for saving the lives, he was butchered for not protecting the environment. It is not that I am not grateful to the sea. I love and thank the sea for giving me a chance to work to feed my family its just that we are talking about the lives that were saved, we are talking about husbands, fathers , sons and friends.

To whom are we protecting the marine environment anyways? To the predators of the sea? I know they would say to the future generations to come. Oh wait, isn’t it a future is yet to come? Means there is still more time to prepare. 

Why not focus on the present?