Ok, so over these years ive had several thousand cliched questions asked about sailors and merchant navy. and i must admit it has become rather irritating explaining over and over again. so here are some myths about sailors and sailing, along with the reality attached to it. i solemnly swear to speak the truth. so here goes:
1. Myth: Everybody gets seasick – WRONG!!! this is usually the first question everyone asks. so ur in the merchant navy eh? dont u get sea sick?? Sea sickness is exactly like motion sickness. does everyone have motion sickness? NO!! so why would everyone get seasick? yea people do get sea sick but not as often as normally believed. personally ive never had sea sickness and ive sailed 17 months in some pretty hostile seas.
2. Myth: A sailor has a wife/girlfriend in every port – Sailors in many ways are like your travelling businessmen, off to different places to finalize deals or whatever. how come ive never heard anyone say- businessmen have wives/girlfriends in every place they visit? What many people dont know is the norms these days are extra strict. no one can board a ship without proper documentation. there may have been a few cases, but dosnt that happen in every profession? im sure doctors or lawyers cheat on their spouses too. then why are sailors branded as cheats? we are human too you know.
3. Sailor’s life is the easiest : Now people have this vision of lounge chairs, swimming pools and a ton of women in bikinis when they think about what a sailor actually does on a ship. They also think we get to go out in every port. i have been to 14 different countries and all i know about them is how their cargo cranes look like. thats it!! the fact of the matter is there is always work on a ship. what work you ask? cargo needs to be loaded, monitored, secured. routes need to be devised for the next voyage. necessary engine repairs need to be done. the need of the hour is speed. so by the time you are done with your work, it is time to depart. it is your good fortune if you get to go out. and no there are no lounge chairs and women in bikinis either.
4. Sailors can guzzle any amount of alcohol – Sure back then sailors and pirates had barrels full of ale and would get drunk at the drop of a hat. but these days that can lead to you getting sacked. Companies have a zero alcohol policy, thanks to all the drunken accidents caused by ancient mariners. alcohol upto a certain percentage is allowed, anything above that is unacceptable. which makes sense coz in that state ur a danger to yourself and your crew. so try being sober for 5-6 months and then guzzling crazy amounts of alcohol. u get the picture.
5. Sailors sail for 6 months and are off for rest of the year – now i dont know which wise guy started this myth. a standard contract would be 5 months sail, 2.5 months off and then back for 5 months. senior officers like Captains Chief Engineers Chief Officers and 2nd Engineers sail 3 months and get 3 months off and the cycle continues.
6. Sailors make a ton of money – Not really. it firstly depends on the type of ship ur on. oil tankers etc will obviously pay more thanks to the inherent risks involved. Secondly it depends on your company. obviously some companies pay more than others but even then, a decent MBA from a good college or a masters will end up paying you the same amount. sure the starting salary has a wide margin, but 5-6 years down the line it is almost the same.
7. I’ve been asked – dont u get bored just looking at the sea everyday? Riddle me this, do u get bored looking at the same roads, buildings etc each day? atleast at sea u often wake up to the sights of an island right next to you, or maybe a few dolphins swimming with your ship, or a pack of birds which fly for days along with your ship which in my opinion is fantastic. the night sky is unbelievably clear, the moonlight does wonders to the sea at night. you have to see it to believe it. i find it calming, the soft rustle of the ship cutting across the water, small ripples that run for miles. i remember this one incident, it was a full moon night and it was moderately cloudy. and in between the gaps, the moonlight shone down like a giant silver pillar over the sea. its called the tyndall effect, like when sunlight passes through a leafy tree. but this was something else. so no, i dont get bored looking at the sea.
8. Sailor eh? What about pirates? – Pirates are like a corrupt government. you know its there but not much can be done. it is an evil that exists and probably will for several decades to some. i dont know if the movie franchise ‘pirates of the caribbean’ can be blamed for it but it sure has risen over the years. what can be done?
9. Ships = Massive pollution – Ships are responsible for just 3% of the world total pollution. the rest comes from industries, automobiles etc. i know there have been a string of oil spills in the recent past but those were all accidents.
10. Sailors have horrible accommodation provided to them – Wrong again. being a cadet my room had carpeted floors, attached bath with hot water available 24×7, a mini fridge, a study table, comfortable bed with clean linen provided daily and a comfortable sofa that could seat 4 people. Every possible type of food is available. yes we too have ice creams, fruits, barbecued chicken, steaks, bacon and whatever you can possibly imagine. tons of snacking options available too, cookies, cakes, soft drinks, red bull you name it. add that to a big screen tv with good surround sound speakers, a playstation 3 and a movies that run in hundreds. it is your home, away from home.
Bottom line after all this is that Sailors are human too. we too work hard, we too have families to think about and no sailing does not imply living on a cruise ship. it sucks ad hurts that sailors are branded as people who just love to while away time and are not really serious about life. working on a ship is no piece of cake. ive had cuts, bruises, burns almost daily. the work environment is hostile, and it requires competence to survive at sea. the sea does not forgive incompetence. i know most of you cant help it coz this seems to be the general opinion for everyone. my mum still hasnt got a complete idea as to what i actually do on a ship and ive tried explaining it to her several times. sure it is hard to picture what a ship must be like and what is done over there, but dont speculate. dont believe myths and dont judge people based on myths.
i’d be glad to answer any other myths that need attending to. feel free to ask. thanks
Hello, its was a nice article………… my bf is in merchant navy & i alwez was keen to know abt merchant navys lifestyle n d nature…. Thank u
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Your welcome…i hope you understand him a lot better…ciao
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well my bf is in merchant navy n according me only 20% are good n remaining 80% are worst thn sluts…Some people boast about girlfriends in various ports but they are actually referring to their favourite prostitutes… I dnt undrstand y major percent of merchnt navy is so sex starved???? why???
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Hello
Nice and bold…i appreciate your thought, just one thing,are we(mariners) any diffrent from others.me myself hav encountred these conditions,but i controlled and moved forward.considering ‘sl*ts’ is harsh.every human has needs.
Have a nice future.Again thankyou for your time.ciao
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kya karu yaar gussa control hi nhi honda hahhahhah 😛
btw tc and be among dose 20% 😛
and dere r 3 kind of peple live in Earth 1. good 2.bad 3. mariner…. last typ(80%) focus on 3W…
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As you say lady….take care..
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omg 0 cmnt 0 like and no follower,,, haye haye jhut likhoge to aisa hi hoga na :P:P:P hhehehhehehehhe
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Oh !
Thanx but i’m new..not finished yet…watch me…
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Hey,……… sana u r right,,,,,, but it also depends upon the
persons thinking & Nature…….This Merchant navy do lots of hard
work,,,,,, sometimes they are treated like a donkey worker by the
arrogant superiors….they miss der family a lot…..but they cant
express .. I used to have fights & misunderstanding with my partner on
phone ….. coz of less time communication , frustration, etc ……
But his friend from d same field explain me abt der process, way of
working, dey also faces accidents on deck while working…… No
seasonal work schedule…… but the only enjoyment is trip all over
the country & visit new places……
But if the mariner really loves his career as a passion, he will neva
go for those bitches else he is doing a shit…… yes, it is a human
need……but shouldn’t be so cheap ….. Arey, prostitutes target is
only money, money & money . …….they know very well merchant navys
earns a lot & some guys just waste der half of the hardworking salary
for such worst things …just for sex ????? …& wht abt d partner /
spouse feelings, loyalty……..??
Actually Rajeev, sorry to be harsh…… but u know its scary n
worried situation for the partner, who really loves her bf /
husband… ok , can u answer to my que ? … The guy who go for this,
will tell his partner abt this, port sex business, etc ….so frankly
??
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First of all hats off to your real experience.yes you are absolutely right.it depends upon person to person.u know its as hard for the girl/lady waiting as for the guy.About your question which is a rhetorical one.u know my answer.lets say if humanity exist no betrayel can be done.
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let see 😉 good luck:D
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Thankyou..:-)
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I asked u deliberately that que . coz my bf himself had told me abt this port condition…. 🙂
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It’s allright dear.may god be wid him with your love.Its difficult life we live but by choice…’Juice worths squeezing’.I’m writing a book on real and shocking experiences i had.wish me luck..Tc
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sure, all d best………. dont forget to publish dat book …
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Thankyou..will give my best.
Hey join me at facebook.i would like being friends.
http://www.facebook.com/rajeevshankersharma.
If its fine with you.
Tc n stay safe
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I knew every line u wrote in this write -up & its true !! I have my love in the same profession and i trust him utmost.And i dnt believe all are like that. Its a tough life , tough money…..and i hv no doubts on what u wrote…excellent and true 🙂
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appreciated.god bless u and your sailor.
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Hi Rajeev, loved the post, especially the part where you have aptly described the so called myth about a girlfriend at every port. Practically, sailors don’t have the time to go hunting for girls, they do have lots of work on deck or engine even after reaching the port, isn’t it? My sailor hasn’t gone on board yet, but with his support and his friends, I am understanding the difficult life you guys have on board. People have pre-concieved notions about mariners being Casanovas but as far as my personal experience goes, these guys are the most family oriented people you will come across any profession. They know he value of their families and life, sea teaches them every thing. For them, one trust worthy woman is a goddess in front of thousands of girls on every port. Also, even if a majority has girlfriends, whats the harm if you are single? To each, his own. Trust works from both the sides my ladies, if he loves you, he would never go behind any one else even in the most tempting situations.
I have just started blogging about being a mariners girlfriend, please do share your thoughts and stories, will be appreciated 🙂
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Well..in short..Deeply Appreciated…really loved it.
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🙂 I will keep writing about MN’s and my experiences as an MNO. Thanks for liking my post, do share your experiences and comments on my blog too 🙂
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I’m sorry for my prompt and short reply for your detailed comment…i just loved it…
thanks again.i wish a lot of strength and patience for you as your sailor is about to join his first ship.
and yes I’ll be writing….tc
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Dear Kaur, how can i share ur blog..?
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Reblogged this on A Room of One's Own.
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thanks Rajeev…u solved 80% of the questions we mariner’s are frequently asked.
now its very easy for me too,i hve kept the copy of this article and show it to evertone who ask’s me same shitty kinda questions.
cheer’s man!!
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Honored !!
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Sir I am a girl and wish to join merchant navy but have heard that its an extremely difficult task for women and generally they are not accepted.pls tell me if there exists any truth in it and pls also suggest a few top rated colleges for admission .
Thank you
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I don’t know what others have to say about females joining merchant navy or any other field in the world because YOU being a girl can do anything,hats off to female power,so don’t go onto others perspective do what u think is right for u and for your dreams.
lets talk about other things,it will be difficult like any other work field…yes
i have seen girls working on board…yes
female captain….yes
colleges in India for girls…yes
just Google for their entry criteria.
fill the form if u fulfill minimum requirements,pass the exam ,wait for your first ship…be patient and strong…
you will see it happening…
good luck 🙂
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Rachita …..I am also a mariner ….but still I am studing b.tch marine engineering…. and I am I third year ….I want to say that you don’t think about you are a brave girl ….many girls works as a mariner ….I my college also many girls are studing …..so…you cone in join merchant navy ….there are a bright future….. so come and join…. best of luck …..
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thanks for clearing doubts of people sir but can you suggest me the best institute of Graduate marine engineering as I am a b tech mechanical eng. im thinking about Anglo eastern and samundra which will be best
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thank you for the comment,
both are highly recognized study centers,my suggestion is .make sure u get endorsed by any o a good company before you enroll yourself in a course.like Anglo eastern ,which itself is a company.
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I am a mechanical engineer n I want to knw everything abt d working conditions inside the engine room. Also about both good n bad sides of sea life. So dat I can judge myself better for d merchant navy job.
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Working conditions inside an engine room depends on many factors such as type,built,size and age of the ship.But one thing which is common in all ships for engine side guys is that we all have a system,for ex. duties and jobs to be done daily in engine and mechanical side is almost fixed and you have professional senior engineers to guide through.You will be keeping watches on functioning of different machines and systems such as boilers,filters,main engine,different types of pump, etc.,and will be assisting in service and rectification of problems.
Good n bad sides of,i’m not sure if i can fathom both i’ll try to write what i have seen and felt in my upcoming post…stay tuned 🙂
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Hey,
Rajeev…really it’s a appreciable work and 100% true I’m also aware coz…I’m also in this field.
And hope you again write.
Thank you so much
Good luck
Happy Sailing⚓️⛵️
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Thanx Mate !! Follow me and stay tuned, there’s a lot to come.Tc & have a great sailing 🙂
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As a guy interested in this field and an engineering graduate from Electronics and Communication stream, Sir I have a dream of travelling whole world. I would be happy if you tell me the relevant courses for me and then institutes and their pros and cons.
Thanks in advance
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Check the latest post.
Tc
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Sir , what is the environment in the engine room , I have heard that the junior engineers are pressurised , to do a lot of work and on the other hand deck officers work in a calm and quiet air conditioned room , and last but not the least are marine engineers are to leave the port more often than deck officers
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That’s a big one for an answer here , but that gives me a chance to write about it too, so give me some time , subscribe my blog , i will post about it real soon , but one thing i’ll tell u . in this profession you reach a position where you get paid for what u know not for what you do, i’m talking about Chief Engineers and Masters, so the higher you go lesser the physical work and greater the salary and responsibility.
ciao !!
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Hello Sir,
A very well written article, found it exactly in the right time! my bf is in mn! oly thing i can say is hats off to your article, that gave me loads of strength 🙂
sir btw i had a question, i heard its a 18 month period dco is supposed to go on sail, my guy completed 10 of 18, and 8 remaining. but his shipping company extended the period from 8 to 10. i still did not get why it happened. i d be glad if you can throw some light on this? this 2 months exxtension freaked me out! 😦
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Hello there,
First of all, i wish lots of strength and patience for u, you’re gonna need it believe me.
Coming down to your question, i am sorry but i cant answer it with the information you gave me, i’m gonna need more info on that like from where did he pass his pre-sea, which course and position he is working on etc etc , but let me tell you, if your guy loves you and get the same in return, he may be doing the right thing…and that 2 month extension will come to u round the way with interest…:)
Thanx for appreciating, stay tuned ,
ciao !!
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SIr, i sent you a friend req in fb, i’d message you the details there if its not a problem!
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Very nicely explained.
good job mate.
Only one thing I can’t understand is that in the comments one lady got some 20% & 80% ratio, from where she got these statistics ?
Quote ” navy n according me only 20% are good n remaining 80% are worst thn sluts…” Unquote.
I bet she hasn’t met more than 20-30 seafarers and she can accuse 80% of more than 1.2 million seafarers of being worst than sluts.
I am an active seafarer for more than 12 years and I agree with the writer’s view.
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Hi Rajeev,
A very nice blog indeed!! i myslf m planning to write a blog about mariners!!! and as u have mentioned in ur blog, its not a peice of cake!!! its sheer hard work, loads of tensions esp when u handle inflammable liquid and complete concentration. For one small mistake can jeopardize safety of evryone on board. My husband is sailing right now and he is having a tough time coping with the situation. Hardly gets to sleep for 4 hrs a day, every 5 hrs he needs to go for a check, machine parts that break down frequently. Infact he told me he is feeling let down and upset. its so difficult sitting thousand miles apart and not being able to do anythng. And yes he has told me a lot about ur lives onboard!!! All i can say at the end is, i respect you guys a lot!!! And its only tough steel guys like u who can handle it!!! Hats off to all the mariners!!!
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Good luck for your blog mam,
Honored.
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which company are you sailing with and whats your rank…???
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Well, currently i’m spending some quality time with my family, last sailing was as a 2nd Officer. Sorry i cant tel you the name of my company.
tc.
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Hi sir, I am pursuing mechanical engineering and wud like to join merchant navy through GME.. Wat r d future prospects and carreer progession in dis field. .. Thanks in advance..
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If you follow my blog , which i hope you do, getting sponsorship from a good company, after passing the entrance exam, is the main part. The reason to insist is , MN is already a difficult field (as compared to other fields) entering it without getting sponsorship will make it more difficult.
Future prospects and progression depends on your sailings, you sail more , give exams on each level and will definitely reach out there for the best of it.Feel free to ask more.
Good Luck
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hello..i m in 12th standard…and i had red ur article…its was superb…i want to ask ..what is the processor to aply for merchant navy in a cruise ship
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hello…i had red ur article nd i just want to ask…what is the procedure after +2 to aplly in navy…in cruise ships..
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Hello Chirag
It seems you want to join Merchant Navy well I have given all the information in the blog try searching for your answer and if you didn’t get it you can reply
Good luck
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Hi …I wanna please my husband since he successfully completed his contract of four months as 2nd engineer after our marriage this is first contract….any tips
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Hi Roopashri
First of all congratulations for your wedding…you are a queen now, please find a group on facebook if you haven’t done that, which is ” being a merchant navy gf/fiancee/wife”… you will find it amazing.
Now
Actually i cant do justice with your question because i am going to be married this December, but yes me and my queen are dating since 3 years and with that experience, All i can say that its not easy being a mariner and mariners wife, but whats easy in life then ??
Goodluck and feel free to ask AnD tell.
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Hello sir….n tnx for the article… Keep writing like dis sir…it will help a lot to us begineers ….sir i m a second year student (bsc nautucal science)..i wanna know wat duties does a cadet have onboard ship?…..do suggest me how can I prepare myself from now only to cope the challenge which I will be having as a beginner……
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Hello sir….n tnx for the article… Keep writing like dis sir…it will help a lot to us begineers ….sir i m a second year student (bsc nautucal science)..i wanna know wat duties does a cadet have onboard ship?…..do suggest me how can I prepare myself from now only to cope the challenge which I will be having as a beginner……
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Very nice Article Rajeev,
Tells a lot of facts about merchant shipping. May be you should also write about the risks and hardships sailors face
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Hiii sir….
Thanks For truth and reality
Now i want to know that how to join merchent navy….my eligibility is (b.tech in electrical 72% with honours and my D.o.b is 2/8/94…i want to join )
So can you suggest me the wright way…. i am waiting your mail….thanks sir
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Please refer to the post relating ETO entry. If you cant, ask me here again.
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hi rajeev do u have any information how to get on the higher post. I have 18 months experience as a engine cadet. plz do reply
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That needs a lot of information. Like where have you done your pre sea from, is your sea experience validated.etc. But in most cases you need to get your Coc.
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I wonder why sailors are branded as cassanovas..been on ship with my husband a no of times…they are so busy even in ports they hatdly get time for shore leave…so far as cheating on a partner is concerned..well yit depends not on your profesdion but the kind of person you are..
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Truth indeed !!
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I love a guy who’s an officer in merchant navy…he’s not ready to commit bcoz he had a bad experience with his ex as she was not willing to stay in LDR..I trust him…I admit that I have done lots of mistakes earlier BT even he had done em…I love him a lott n even if its for a long period of time I am willing to stay in LDR…BT this guy..!! I don’t know what’s wrong with him…he ll keep on crying for his ex who has gone now but vont accept me…he loves me(according to him) but doesn’t commit that’s y I keep on wondering whether he loves me or not..what should I do to win him over again..in between we had no contact for about six months which made everything even more worse…how do I deal with this situation? Plz tell me how exactly people on ship deal with love n relationship so that I can think from his point of view too n correct my mistakes which I had committed last time…I don’t knw if its too late to convince him…BT hez my first love n I don’t wanna give up on him..
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Hi Prerna
I hope I’m not too late to answer this. I must say that there is so much of relativity between your bfs life and mine. I lost my gf after or during my first contract and met the love of my life now my wife (after 3 yrs of LDR) during 2nd contract. All I can say that if he loves you he will contact you and call, msg you whenever he can. Also it depends on the trading area and facilities provided on ship too. But if the relationship is worth it sailors do make efforts. About that ex gf thing I cant help you sorry. But yes I can but one thing, whoever loves you will come for you. So enjoy and live. Its a big big world. Good luck
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hello sir ,sonal this side and i just want to ask you if its really true that when on sailing they dont allow to being in contact with family and all ,my bf is in merchant navy maritime deck cadet and its really irritatng to wait all day long to talk and at the end of day i just got i am tired need to sleep ,he is serious about our relation and want to marry me but this way how i convince my parents when i know aftr marriage he will be on ship and i wont be with him ,i m really stressed please help 😢😖😖😞
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Hey Sonal, Thank you for writing.
I can not answer this question correctly cuz it needs more information like which company does he works for, services provided by the company on ship,trading area of the ship.
I am not saying that he is lying, he could be tired every time cuz this job takes a lot from you. But i can fully assure you that by the time when he gain rank and excel in his career these problems will be gone. A good company allow the wife and kids on ships also. Do write to me if you want to know more.
Best Regards
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Hallo Rajeev,
thank you for the information you wrote on this blog. i was looking for this kind of information. so i just knew this guy who is working as a Merchant Navy and we are still trying to get to know more each other.
so i wonder, do this merchant navy has a maximum age for their workers? i mean do they work until they are 40 or there is some kind of contract until some age? bcs i dont know much about this Merchant Navy.
thank you 🙂
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Hey Sarah, Glad that that you like it.
As far as i know there is no such rule about Maximum age. But some companies do have it until 60 yrs because it is difficult to get work permit or working visa from certain countries(when the ships trading area is coastal) if he or she passes the medical test and has the required physical state, they’re good to work.
hope my answer serves your need.
ciao !
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Sir
The content was apt and hope would have cleared the unusual myths of stereotypes . One more myth to remove is that Merchant navy is not safe for girls. I too am a girl am in 12th standard and I too aspire to become a merchant navy officer. I don’t have any objection to it neither my parents do..But just wanted to clear that being a girl I I feel it safe for me and my parents do the same so others should better not interfere and should keep their perceptions to thenselves
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Keep it up !!
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