Last Saturday, the 25th of August, Marine Café Blog marked its third anniversary sans wine and sweet words, to borrow a phrase from the Roman playwright, Plautus (c. 254–184 BC). This is not to say that there was nothing to celebrate. We’ve lasted for three years, and for this we heartily thank our many readers worldwide and our handful of advertisers. An Indian woman taking up masteral studies in marine transportation at a European university recently wrote in to say that she has recommended the blog to her classmates. Given such faith from our loyal readers, how can we not keep going?
We have our detractors, of course. Some of our blog posts have raised blood pressures – as when we talked about the Filipino seafarer factory, the orgy of maritime conferences or the International Maritime Organisation holding the copyright to the STCW Convention. Who else would touch such issues? The alternative is for us to please everyone by pretending that all is well and writing only about the positive. Surely, that would be a disservice to our readers as well as to the seafarers for whom so many hearts seem to bleed.
Maverick as it may seem, the Marine Café Blog has nonetheless striven to provide some balance, editorially speaking. We have been highlighting maritime safety and piracy; seafarer training; the environment; new products and marine technology; women in the maritime sector; maritime media and communications; nautical art and culture; and, not least of all, the thing called “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR). We will continue to do so in the hope that our readers will better appreciate the richness and unity of the maritime world and perchance see things in a different light.
Sorry, no decaf on the menu. ~Barista Uno
Well Cheers to you and your blog, in this day and age of fast everything, a 3 year old blog is quite a feat to do and maintain. Balance is what keeps me coming back to your blog, I may not agree with your thoughts and ideas 100% but at least it gets to see the light of day.
Here hoping for a good many more years to come, best regards and cheers! HPE
What this “who else would touch such issues?” Well now try NAUTICAL LOG which is a long time critic of the IMO and its leadership. We have also touched on the Filipino issue and been abused on your website about that!! However we shall continue to be an activist Blog even if your readers do not like it.
Keep up the good work your environment does not really encourage critical comments whereas mine is protected and supported by our Constitution. Continued success!!
Good Watch.
Congratulations! A milestone is a milestone and shipping being an international industry your blog gets the same international recognition it merits. Locally? It looks like calling a spade a spade is taboo. Keep the good faith and roll on. One cannot be a hero in life but one (can be) in death as Jesse Robredo has proven. “Good Watch” as one of your readers comments.
congratulations, Marine-Café!
straight up and straight from the heart, thank you!
xo c
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed your blog since I found it, less than a year ago.
I’d feel cheated if you threw in the towel now, so keep throwing those punches and telling it like you see it! It’s worthwhile work.
Thanks for all you’ve done – I look forward to much more in the future!
Thank you all for your kind words. It is readers like you who make writing and maintaining this blog a pleasure and not a chore.
Congratulations… Continue with your blog.. good source of info and analysis on maritime matters.
Great reading and insight beyond borders.
It’s so kind of you to describe the blog in such positive terms. Thanks very much indeed.