Toolbox Meeting – Why It Matters at Sea

What Is a Toolbox Meeting? A Toolbox Meeting (also called a Toolbox Talk) is a short, focused meeting conducted before starting any job onboard. It’s usually done by the officer or engineer in charge of the task and attended by the crew members who will carry it out. It’s not a formality. It’s a lifesaving […]

Monthly Safety Meeting – Not Just a Form, But a Forum

What Is a Monthly Safety Meeting? A Monthly Safety Meeting is a formal, structured discussion conducted onboard once every month, usually led by the Master, with participation from all senior officers and representatives from each department. But let me be honest, many seafarers treat it as a paperwork formality.Just tick the box, sign the form, […]

Anchor Dragging

Anchor Dragging: Outsmarting the Silent Threat Anchor dragging isn’t loud, but it can be deadly. Whether you’re navigating congested anchorages or weathering rough seas, the anchor is your ship’s only grip on the seabed. But what happens when that grip slips? Understanding anchor dragging goes beyond textbooks. It’s about decoding subtle clues, thinking ahead, and […]

What I Wish I Knew as a Cadet

Namaste! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve either joined as a cadet or you’re about to step onboard for your first sea job. First of all—congratulations. You’ve chosen a profession that’s not easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding journeys if you stick with it. When I joined as a cadet years ago, […]

EPIRB – The Lifeline That Shouts for Help When You Can’t

There’s one piece of equipment on board that doesn’t need your hands, doesn’t ask for power, and doesn’t wait for orders. When all else fails, it silently sends a signal across the world that you need help. That’s your EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. Sadly, many cadets and even some junior officers only […]

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet

Whether you’re cleaning the engine room with a degreaser or loading bunkers on deck, there’s one thing you must check before handling any chemical – the MSDS, also known as the Material Safety Data Sheet. This is not just paperwork. It’s your first line of defence against injury, accidents, and chemical exposure. Sadly, many cadets […]

Anchor Chain & Markings

Markings and Anchor Chain: Everything You Want to Know One of the most critical jobs on a ship is anchoring, and a safe and efficient operation relies on familiarization with the anchor chains and their markings. A crucial aspect of anchoring operations are the markings on the anchor chain, which allow the crew to keep […]

HRU – Hydrostatic Release Unit: Small Size, Big Responsibility

When you look at a life raft on deck, you mostly think of the canister, the cradle, and the lashings. But there’s a small piece of equipment in that whole arrangement that can literally make the difference between life and death, the HRU or Hydrostatic Release Unit. What Exactly is an HRU? In simple terms, […]

Ocean Currents – What Every Seafarer Should Know

For Cadets, Junior Officers, and Anyone Who Still Asks “Why is the Ship Drifting?” So What Are Ocean Currents, Really? Imagine rivers inside the sea, but huge, invisible, and slow-moving. That’s what ocean currents are. They’re basically movements of seawater that flow continuously in one direction. They affect your ship’s course, the speed over ground, […]

AMVER

AMVER: A Global Lifesaver for Mariners The Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) is a global voluntary initiative run by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). AMVER has improved maritime safety since 1958. It continues, to this day, to be one of the most valuable programs to organize rescue operations in times of crisis […]