"Work when you are told to work and never complain, be yourself, humble, and willing to learn."
I don't remember which of the officers or captains said it to me, but those words still haunt me. Even now that I am ashore, I remember those moments on board.
I only know that the phrase comes to mind when I look out over the vast ocean from the shore. I remember the nights at sea, sailing and watching a thousand stars in the night, or the infinite horizon full of clouds and seas yet to come.
Likewise, I think it was bosun Marco Quiroz, one day when we went to work on deck.
All the other officers left your advice, and each one weighted recognition. From investing your merchant seaman's earnings well to appreciating the company of your family, to being skilled enough to know how to make sense of things.
Many of these things are still with me.
The work on board was not what I expected, but there were moments of intensity in the work, it was exhausting, and you could hardly sleep, but I like that kind of routine. Learning a new thing or skill every day. Inventorying all the stores to learn the name of each tool, helping to clean the decks and knowing the structures of the accommodations, as well as cleaning the main deck to work in coordination and teamwork. Then came the real work in the operations, being aware in the hold of how the stowage was developing in the tanks, then going to check the tanks with the UTI in case there was an error in the measuring equipment, checking the mooring lines that were not more tense than usual, carrying out the proper maintenance of the life equipment so that each of them could fulfill its purpose. They had to do it immediately and take care of the safety measures of all the equipment.
Now I have to stand in line to go shopping, wait in line to get on a bus and live with the constant difficulties of public services like water and electricity. For one year they managed to change me, but now I just want to continue to improve and get out of this area where I am.
Every time I get on the bus, I remember those words and everything I learned comes back to me. From the lifesaving and firefighting equipment to the pipes that were scattered around the main deck. What I miss the most are the six hours on the bridge positioning on the chart, it was a wonderful feeling, or the moments researching how to use the sextant and using the charts in the publications to find the altitude of the sun and stars.
Now, in the city, I stand in the middle of the street to observe the stars at night, and I can only find the planets that give off the most brightness. I can't even find Orion's belt or the star Aldebaran. The light pollution is overwhelming, while at sea it is like looking at a black canvas with white dots painted on it.
I have only been there for two weeks, but when I go to bed it is strange not to feel the movement of the ship or hear the characteristic sounds of the engine. It is also strange not to wake up and not to be given tasks for the day. I guess you end up suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and wishing you were back.
The loneliness on board was not so intense until I talked to my girlfriend and felt the desire to get off, to be back on land and share with my family. It's strange that now that I'm ashore, I want to get back on board to help them all, not just myself. I guess I miss the feeling of doing something and not just lying back and staring at the ceiling waiting for the days to pass. I am certain that when I ship out again, I will be just as scattered and long for the company of my girlfriend and friends.
Sometimes you don't think about the moments you're living until they're gone.
Those internships as a deck cadet were crazy and exciting, but also moments of sadness and difficulty. From the first day, I went from the tugboat to the ship to the last, I left the same way.
"Work when you are told and never complain, be yourself, humble, and willing to learn."
That was what the bosun told me, and I stayed true to that ideal. No matter what job I was given, I did it without reproach, whether it was cleaning the sewage treatment plant or collecting garbage to be compacted and stored in a cofferdam. No job diminished me, and everyone could see that. No matter what job the people sent me to, they wanted to help or accompany me. Even when they got off, they kept in touch with me.
Being a cadet is not easy, I was not the worst, but I have heard many stories of mistreatment where we are treated as mere slaves. In my case it was not like that, there was always respect. However, it was hard to leave without having made a single profit after a full year of sailing. I had come off worse off than when I went aboard, without even a steady job to support me while I awaited the trial of the act of graduation.
The bosun's words still linger in my mind as I wonder if I have learned enough. My answer is that it will never be enough, I must keep learning and keep sailing the seas.
Cover and Banner made in Canva; Author's own image taken with Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 S, Separators made in photoshop
