As the Etiho-Ertrean political tension gets deflated the people of the two nations have resumed their relationship, which was in a doldrums for two decades. Following the peace agreement, several bilateral issues are discussed and family reunions have touched the heart of several people.
Besides, as people of a landlocked country, the relationship of the two sisterly countries has also sparked the interest of several Ethiopians to know more about life on the sea. The writer of this piece is among them. Using the current peaceful relation as a ground on behalf of The Ethiopian Herald, he had a chance to contact Eritrean Seamen Union founder, Eritrean Marine Chief Engineer, Paulo Anton, and asked him about life in the sea.
Ethiopian Herald: What does ship mean for seafarer? Chief Engineer, Paulo Antoni: Apart from a task to handle, a ship for a seafarer is his lodging for the period of his occupational activity. Maritime vocation is not just a job; it is a style of life. From the moment of leaving the home-town the seafarer lives in a closed society with behavioral norms and social values different from those of the outside world.
The seafarer experiences variable weathers and climatic conditions, has a home that is a noisy metal body which vibrates and often is not a fixed base but one that is moved and tossed about by sudden movements. A ship is an extreme example of a structure that is isolated from the rest of the world. Life at sea during a typical four/six-hour shift, the navigating officer has normally little to do, while the engineer has to do no more than watch the dials. Deck ratings spend day after day chipping paint and repainting.
Periods of work are followed by periods of rest, the rhythm is repeated for days and months. Herald: How do you explain life at a sea? Paulo: Life at sea is challenging and tough, particularly, after you build your own family. You will be away from loved ones for months. However, thanks to technology we are connected 24/7 year round, but still, not enough for seafarers. A married seaman has an extra challenge, also a married woman who is trained to work onboard ships.
The family is very important to all, but leaving your family behind is not easy. Most seamen in the past never get families when they were young. They enjoy the sea life first and when they change their job or stop, then they start a family life where they live with their families. Whatever kind job you do, risks are always there. At the sea, there are specific risks. But nowadays, with the development of modern technology there is less risk.
Modern ships have more safety and comfort so you get enough possibilities to avoid risks. “Safety First” is the motto of the Crew and officer’s onboard ships. Fire and other hazards are handled by the crew themselves because they are well trained regularly. Seafarers are always moving from place to place and they enjoy life onboard because of its variations.
You travel from one port to the other and meet different people in the Harbor and you learn their culture and sometimes their languages if you get to know them well. Salaries and monthly wages are important but the life onboard can be also attractive for so many seamen. The economic advantage sometimes makes it attractive but there are many reasons why seamen like it.
Everyone has something to love it and that is why so many sailors like onboard. They like to stay long working at sea. Herald: How do you explain challenges on the sea? Paulo: Before mid-20th century, working at sea was an adventure, however now, life at sea is no more an adventure because the risks are minimized dramatically. But, still in many ways sea life has lots of challenges.
Ships are always in a state of motion be it the usual swaying movement or heavy rolling or pitching. This constant motion leads many to motion sickness which is not a very simple issue to deal with, even for those with the best sea legs. Accidents tend to occur frequently on ships and are a part and parcel of shipping jobs. The most frequent ones are often related to people falling into the sea, falling onto the deck, in the engine room, or from any of the ship structures while working.
Moreover, there are large numbers of mechanical and electrical equipment on the ship’s deck and the engine room and they have to be used very carefully. With advancement of technology, ships now have several machinery systems and tools on board. Seafarers are thus required to deal with such complex and hazardous machinery on a daily basis. According to a classification, shipping jobs or working at sea has been classified as one of the ten most dangerous jobs in the world.
In every kind of profession there are a variety of professional hazards to deal with and person’s ability to perform any particular job is tested on the basis of his response to these hazards. Similarly, there are ways to deal with the professional problems faced on ships. Personally, I never had sad experience at sea since I joined shipping 20 years ago.
As a farmer who sow, irrigate and reaps a harvest to ensure the sustenance of his family, seafarers are also responsible in carrying and delivering the most desirable commodities for people who live in a very distance places. In this regard, I can say for sure that there are few unique qualities that are only found in a seafarer. The following are some of the things I believe the world can learn from seafarers.
Punctuality is one of the qualities of every seafarer. Every seafarer sacrifices several important occasions to meet the interest of others. The other quality of seafarer is that they are always ready to face every challenge that come from nature. Working against the forces of nature at sea is extremely difficult. Accidents and emergencies happen frequently. But a seafarer is trained to find courage in the toughest situation possible and move ahead. The sea is a great teacher and the seafarers know it well.
Adaptability is the other unique character of seaman. They are one of the most adaptive professionals. Mutual understanding and respect between seafarers and family members is the other most significant qualities of seamen. Being at sea for a few months makes a seafarer long more for his family and as a result, the bond grows stronger as years pass by. The family too respects his decision to be away for few months to ensure a well-placed life in the society.
This mutual sacrifice brings more respect and faith in the institution of family. In the process, seafarers learn not only to manage personal life but also to handle the rigorous and monotonous life at sea. Seafarer believes in enjoying in the moment because he knows his time on a particular ship is short and therefore he puts maximum effort to make the best out of it. Seafarers are happy-go-lucky people who have learnt how to handle stress in life, a quality the rest of the world also needs to learn.
Sea life beyond its economic advantage, you will travel around the world for while earning. Herald: How did you see the peaceful relationship of Ethiopia and Eritrea? Paulo: The Eritrean Seaman Union and I have seen the peace agreement of the two countries with warm heart. But, as I observed, majority Eritreans are still asking how far our sovereignty and our national interest will be protected. The current relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea should be seen in its true reality.
Personally, with all doubt, I support peace with the ultimate goal to create a new condition of peace and prosperity between the two neighboring countries. Herald: Before I windup my questions please tell me about Eritrean Seaman Union: Paulo: Eriterian Seaman Union is a Labor organization that promotes the wellbeing of our seamen. It encourages and motivates our members to have a better skill through training and achieving experiences onboard.
It is understood that in Eritrea, a seaman Union existed sometime back in the 1960th and before it. Eritrean seamen were in Somali, Italy, Israel and Greece in the 20th Century. They had a wealth of experience in Fishing vessels, Cargo ships and foreign Flag ships. During the 70s they worked and sailed with different flags including Ethiopian Shipping Lines, Swedish and other countries’ vessels.
So, they had early Seaman Union. We are following the footsteps of our senior Seamen and Dock workers. We Eritrean seaman union members have engaged in different type of vessels and docks. We use to meet and work with our brother Ethiopian onboard of ship. Generally, we have good relationship with all Sudanese, Somali seamen and Yemeni sailors. Our relationship with Seaman’s neighbor’s country is strong and many of them participate in our official social Medias.
Like all seamen we follow the regulations of our ships and we treat all friendly. Working together is required onboard ships always for our advantages and theirs. Seamen are as friendly as other workers on land.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 10/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
