Being a member of the crew team in the fleet of Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. since 2015, Third Officer Brix John Cordova shares his experience of life onboard. He underscores that life at sea involves challenges and that all actions must ensure safety at all times.
In this regard, teamwork and effective communication among crew members are key ingredients. Skills such as resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude—which should be cultivated constantly—also help everyone onboard handle any challenge.
SAFETY4SEA: What do you love the most out of your career at sea?
Brix John Cordova: As a seafarer, I love engaging with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. I find great joy in learning about their unique histories, customs, and traditions. From this, I am seeking an opportunity to interact with people from various walks of life and immerse myself in their rich cultural experiences, understanding their distinctive cultures and discovering what makes them special.
S4S: What have you learned over the course of your career at sea?
B.J.C.: Seafaring is a lifelong profession that plays a crucial role in maintaining global trade and ensuring the efficient transportation of goods worldwide. Keeping the cargo,the vessel and crew members in good shape during transit is an essential part for the success of this mission.
S4S: How would you describe your daily life at sea/ work in a few words?
B.J.C.: Life at sea involves following routines and ensuring safety at all times. Teamwork is indeed essential for success in this line of work. It’s important to have well-coordinated crew members who can effectively handle any challenges that come with the various jobs onboard.
S4S: What is the biggest challenge that you have to face on board?
B.J.C.: Working far away from families and missing important family events can indeed be one of the biggest challenges for me. The nature of being a seafarer often means being away from loved ones for extended periods, which can be emotionally difficult.
S4S: What is your piece of advice to fellow crew members onboard?
B.J.C.: To my fellow colleagues, be proud and cultivate a sense of pride and passion for this job. And prioritizing our physical and mental well-being is of paramount importance, as it directly impacts our ability to execute our duties effectively and efficiently.
S4S: What inspires you every day onboard?
B.J.C.: Having a crew that treats each other like family and shares a strong sense of camaraderie is incredibly inspiring to me and motivates me to work every day. This bond fosters a supportive and cohesive working environment, as it can provide comfort and strength, especially during the challenges of being at sea and working far away from my family.
S4S: What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking a career at sea?
B.J.C.: Life on board can indeed be challenging and is known to test one’s character, attitude, and personality. Being prepared for the unique demands of seafarers’ life is crucial. It’s essential to cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude to be successful in facing challenges at sea.
The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
