Hi all, this might be a dumb question, or maybe no one else has had this situation, but i can't get a straight answer from any of the maritime centers I've called. My initial STCW was done in November of 2021. I need to renew fire and personal survival certs but I won't be able to take a class before the end of this year. I have far over 365 days of sea time in the past 5 years. But since I'm technically going to renew after the "expiration date" of these certs, do I have to take the full refresher course? Or even though it's after the 5 year point post-initial certification, am i still good for taking just the revalidation?

I'm US based so I would be taking a USCG course and getting/updating a USCG cert, but I work on a foreign flagged ship-- however i also take contracts on US ships occasionally too.

Thanks for any advice.

Hey everyone, this item literally just spawned into my life out of thin atoms and I wanted to share it with the community since it didn't even exist on Google Lens. It's a heavy 3D laser-etched crystal display block of the Nantes Knutsen LNG tanker, flying under the Knutsen O.A.S. Shipping fleet. Since the actual ship was only delivered in late 2024, I figured this must have been an exclusive corporate/shipyard launch gift for the crew or executives. Thought you guys would appreciate seeing a piece of modern maritime history that usually stays locked away in corporate offices or captain's quarters!

Another glimpse into the most unusual navigation training in the maritime world:

In this episode the trainees visit beautiful Lacey Falls and remote Minstrel Island, places on the Inside Passages that cruise ships never see. But this is no pleasure cruise. Exposed to the elements, without motor or GPS, these apprentice navigators dead-reckon their way through spectacular Canadian wilderness.

Why do we have such a rigorous navigation training program? At 2:14 the skipper explains it:

"A professional navigator uses every skill and scrap of knowledge they have to pilot a vessel safely. That’s what we’re trying to do out here: honing the skills that go beyond the technology—skills that have guided mariners for centuries and still matter today.

https://youtu.be/5_TWsBkYhlw

On getting job I do have twic trying to do inland and then eventually get mmc I’m in Texas bout about 7hrs from water I can get there but would need a couple checks to officially move 24 no family

How does this happen?

Is dark vessel detection something that is actually being done operationally? If so how is it being done currently, is it by cross checking AIS and satellite data or in a different way? and how important is it?

NMC has changed and all i can get are contractors who arent as knowledgeable or as informed as bots. up to four months is the pat answer im getting, over and over. ok, i say, but, recently, how long has it been taking for certs to be issued? up to four months again. i say, ok. that's the upper limit. obviously, not ALL certs are taking this long. what has been the recent average. it's like talking to wall. in the not so distant past, ive been able to get informed and pleasant actual Coast Guard folks on the phone at NMC.

what has anyone been experiencing timewise for their med certs?

Hey everyone! 👋🏽

I’ve been thinking about an idea and would love to hear your honest opinions, especially from single seafarers who are just starting out in their careers and trying to build their lives back home.

The idea is to create a comfortable, secure and affordable shared living space specifically for seafarers who want their own personal space without the financial burden of renting an entire house alone.

Imagine a fully furnished house where everyone has their own private, lockable bedroom, while sharing common facilities such as the kitchen, living room and laundry area.

The goal is to create a peaceful environment where you can come home after a contract, have your own space, save money and live comfortably among people who understand the seafarer lifestyle.

This could be especially helpful for those who are still building their savings, don't want to live with family indefinitely, or aren't ready to commit to renting an entire apartment on their own.

Before taking this idea further, I’d love to get your feedback:

Would you be interested in living in a seafarer-focused shared house with your own private bedroom?

What monthly amount would you consider reasonable for a furnished private room with shared facilities?

Would you prefer to keep your room and belongings while away on contract, even if it meant paying a monthly fee?

Which areas in Kenya would be most convenient for you?

This is currently an idea I'm exploring, and your feedback would help me understand whether there's a genuine need for it.

Feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions or concerns. If this sounds like something you'd genuinely consider, please let me know! 🙏🏽⚓

Let's see if we can create something practical for seafarers who are building their future, one contract at a time. ❤️

This one’s for all you engineers and ETOs out there.

I’ve always been curious, is this cert as sought after by you lot as DP Offshore Unlimited licenses are by deck officers? I don’t think I’ve ever once heard engineers talk about filling in a DPVM logbook or holding a DPVM license the same way deck officers do regarding their NI licences.

Do companies in the offshore sector require it as minimum certification for engineers/ETOs the same way they often do for deck officers or is it just a nice to have?

This is my frustration and deeply rooted answer to that question. An incident happened yesterday: the son of one of my fellow crew members passed away while the vessel was at port, with 6 hours left for cargo completion and departure. They tried every possible manner, but he was unable to sign off.

Now, he is present onboard for a 10-day sailing voyage to another country, and he doesn't have a visa for it. Now his life is a question mark!

Why am I still onboard? What's the point of earning money by staying away? How are they going to compensate him by just saying "heartfelt condolences" or "deeply saddened"? We need action! Everyone expects immediate output from seafarers, but when we expect the same in return, the reply is that you are not entitled to it.

In this modern Al and smart era, everything has changed, but the life of a seafarer is in deep trouble. We are the modern-day slaves onboard and there is no true voice for seafarers. People care for the environment, but they are seldom bothered about the fellow humans who live half of their lifetimes in the ocean for the greater good of humanity. There are no salary hikes, no shore leave, no rewards, and no care-it is all just on paper and full of false promises. But all port calls Inspection, checklist photo reports video report every arrival departure of Each US ports, Chinese ports 🥹

Simply put, have no expectations. Just do your time and turn around as if nothing happened. That is what many expect, with no more trouble from onboard. The modern-day postmaster (the Captain) needs to turn off all voices and keep them buried in the ocean. Only he can respond to the office: "All under control."

Bravo, Captain

Hey everyone,
My ship just got a new VHF radio installed, and to my surprise, it uses 4-digit channel numbers.
I've always been used to the classic 2-digit channels, like Channel 16 for hailing, or Channel 06 and 72 for ship-to-ship conversation. Now I'm seeing channels with four numbers and I'm completely lost.
Why did they change this? How does the 4-digit system work, and how do I find my usual 2-digit channels (like 16, 06, 72) on this new radio?
Thanks in advance for the help!

Hey fellow seafarers

I'll be responsible for ordering and catering for 2 month job just curious what your daily diet will be I usually work with Western Europeans on my vessels but my new assignment will be a 75% ratio of Philippines and 25% Eastern Euros about 40 POB

It will be buffet

Do you consume more fresh fruit veg snacks ,seafoods, Soda Red meat, cheeses,cereals on a day to day basis etc

What dishes/cuisines are best to avoid for both demographics

I just want to ensure happy seafarers and I know some cultures don't eat certain foods or eat alot heavier or some other items.

Any suggestions will be appreciated

I just had my interview with MSC and this is for anyone that wanted to know what questions they’re gonna ask you when they call.

To sum up the Questions:

1. Your background and how you got to this point in joining MSC

2. Name a mistake you’ve made and how did you go by fixing it

3. What skills/ personality traits do you have that would benefit you as a mariner

Good luck and Godbless!

I'm fresh 2nd and about to embark new ship, what are the essential apps you use on daily basis and in general would be useful for me ? Thank you and smooth sails ✌🏻