Four books mariners should read in their lifetime
“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book,” wrote J.K. Rowling, British author and creator of the popular Harry Potter series. Although published long ago, the following sea books (in PDF format) have not lost their magic.
The allure of New York Harbor in old drawings
New York Harbor’s allure stems not only from its size or beauty. The harbor also has a long and rich maritime history.
The unseen culture of conformity in shipping
It seems paradoxical. On the one hand, the shipping industry is known for its technological and business innovations, thanks to those who follow new and independent paths. On the other hand, it has a culture of conformity that has gone unnoticed.
Six bold maritime quotes from the Barista
As a maritime writer, I follow two cardinal rules. One is to write sincerely. The other is to be brief. “Brevity is the soul of wit”, Shakespeare wrote in his play ‘Hamlet’. It’s a sage advice which writers sometimes ignore when they are seduced by the sound of words.
A damaged culture: Manila’s maritime sector uncovered
Manila’s maritime sector has a unique culture that is also, to put it bluntly, incorrigibly damaged. Filipinos are neck-deep in the environment to even notice. The signs, however, are clear
Calm seas and an ordered mind
No need to do Buddhist meditation. Just gazing at a calm sea can bring a sense of inner peace. Look long enough and your mind begins to mirror the sea—quiet, well ordered, and unperturbed by all the noise of the workaday world.
Three classic poems for the New Year
The painting ‘A Greater Morning’ (pictured above) powerfully conveys what many feel with the onset of the New Year: a sense of hope and renewal, of a new beginning. The same sentiment is expressed in different but equally engaging ways in the following poems. I hope you all enjoy reading these literary gems as much as I have.
Why I finally quit writing about seafarers’ rights
I have made up my mind to stop writing about seafarers’ rights and allied issues after my post of 25th October. This was no spur-of-the-moment decision. It was the result of an epiphany.
The shipping world’s silence on the Gaza flotilla attack
Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and detention of 462 activists plainly violated international maritime law. The incident took place from the 1st to the 3rd of October about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast in international waters. Yet, save for some unions, the global shipping community has been silent on the matter.
Marine Café Blog at 16: Highlighting the human side
It is exactly 16 years today since I started Marine Café Blog. One thought has guided me throughout: the greatest challenge faced by shipping in the 21st century is how to reclaim its humaniy. This is why the blog has been highlighting seafarers’ rights and maritine art and culture, for both themes are reminders of that humanity.
A better way to look at seafarers’ rights
Many would look at seafarers’ rights in terms of compliance or non-compliance with ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, and other laws. Such a view is rather narrow. For one, what is not explicity prohibited by law can be considered unacceptable because it is detrimental to a person’s well-being and dignity.
Life on the waterfront: Snapshots in vintage etchings
The waterfront has an atmosphere like no other. The coming and going of ships, the movement of machines on the wharves, the sounds of seagulls and salt water—all evoke a feeling of energy. But above all it is the grit and brawn of stevedores (pictured above) that give the place a certain character, a human dimension that is more interesting than machines.
