A glossary of terms for the abuse of seafarers
There are more words to denote how seafarers are exploited than one reads in news reports. The following is a list of 20 verbs—single words that I hope will help broaden the discussion of seafarers’ rights to include the less obvious ways these rights are being violated.
Castaways in art and thoughts about life
Artworks depicting people who are cast ashore after a storm or shipwreck can be very moving. They are reminders, not only of the indifferent power of the sea, but of the vicissitudes of life and the human struggle. The following are five such works that tug at the heartstrings.
The L.A. wildfires: 12 powerful quotes to ponder
Pain and anguish attend all disasters. However, people react to them in different ways. Some may attribute such events to man’s folly and start pointing fingers at those they believe are responsible. Others may see them as a form of Divine retribution for man’s wrongdoings. The following are some thoughts to ponder in the wake of the wildfires that struck the Los Angeles area in early January 2025.
Seafarers’ rights: 3 simple wishes for 2025
There are any number of things one could wish for the shipping world in 2025. But out of prudence, I shall limit myself to three wishes. They all have to do with the rights and welfare of seafarers.
Three reasons I keep writing about seafarers’ rights
Why would any writer advocate seafarers’ rights for years when there’s no money in it for him? I can give three good reasons for my doing so, and none of them has to do with the fact that seafarers man the ships that transport 80% of global trade
A cup of love from appreciative readers
A number of kind-hearted readers have made donations through Buy Me a Coffee. Some have bought me one cup equiavalent to $5; others, more. The amount doesn’t really matter. I consider every donation as a cup of love, a grateful acknowledgement of my work as a writer.
Stopping awhile for the children of Gaza
I am taking time off from things maritime to spare a thought for the children of Gaza. Palestine may be thousands of miles away, but in my mind I can hear their cries amidst the genocide being carried out by the Zionist colonisers. How can anyone ignore what is happening?
21 powerful quotes for women in the maritime world
More women today work on board merchant ships than at any time in the past. On shore, women are occupying high positions in maritime companies and organisations. By and large, however, it’s still a male-dominated industry.
Seven sins of manning agents against seafarers
There are good and bad manning agents. From what I have seen up close over the years in Manila, I can confidently say that the bad ones outnumber the good ones. They have no compunction about using seafarers for their own ends, usually to fill their pockets.
Truths, lies & deceit: Great quotes for maritime people
In a materialistic world, honesty is not a common virtue. Don’t expect to find it in abundance in shipping, where folks often resort to lies, half-truths and deceit to get an advantage.
Spotlighting seafarers’ rights beyond MLC 2006
I have just published a new edition of ‘How to Protect Your Rights as a Seafarer’, a booklet which I first issued in 2020. This is my humble contribution to the worldwide campaign to promote the rights of those who toil at sea.
Waning US merchant fleet calls for new US mindset
Alarm bells continue to ring over the decline of the US-flag merchant fleet, accompanied by dire warnings that this puts national security at risk. The merchant marine-national defence connection is an old theme that harks back to World War II and the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt:
