Do not choose the career of a seafarer merely because someone motivated you to do so; let it be based on the passion you have within you, says Ikenna Ebin Idika, a 4th Engineer. In fact, in his poetic words, if no one praises you, if no one claps for you, you will strongly know to your core that “I am a key essential worker, I am strong, I am a hero, I am a warrior, A seafarer, I am.”
SAFETY4SEA: What do you love the most out of your career at sea?
Ikenna Ebin Idika: The adventures of sailing, traveling around to new places and getting to meet new people of different backgrounds and culture.
A Seafarer, I am
(Written by Ikenna E. Idika)
~
Just like the secret service
Nobody knows me
Nobody knows my work
Nobody knows my fears
Nobody knows the risk
Nobody knows my worth
Nobody understands my sacrifice.
Who are am I? A Seafarer, I am
~
When I miss home
I feel cheated because of my career
I feel isolated because of my Job
I feel lonely because of my location
But one thing is sure, the job must be done
Am I a superhuman? No
Who am I? A Seafarer, I am
~
My work speaks for me
My sacrifice gives hope to world
My sadness brings joy to nations
My lonely world brightens your busy world
My joy is knowing that you are happy
Am not an entertainer,
A seafarer, I am
~
If no one praises me
If no one claps for me
If I don’t make headlines on the news
I strongly know that
I am a key essential worker
I am strong
I am a hero
I am a warrior
A seafarer, I am
S4S: What have you learned over the course of your career at sea?
IEI: I have learnt that safety is paramount in all things. I also learnt to respect and accommodate people’s views in regard to background, culture, ethnicity, religion etc. I have also learnt teamwork is paramount to achieve great results.
S4S: How would you describe your daily life at sea/ work in a few words?
IEI: Life at sea is tough, challenging, resourceful and this put together brings the warrior spirit. Working in the sea make one calculative and careful before taking any action.
Mr. Safety Proof
(Written by Ikenna E. Idika)
~
He ignores the safety signs & warnings
Like a superman he works without
Personal Protective Equipment
In his mind he is safe.
~
He doesn’t care about his life,
He doesn’t care about his environment,
He doesn’t care about his crew,
In his mind he has mastered the act of safety.
~
Just when he thought in his mind
I can cut corners to achieve results
without safety procedure
He cried out in pain with a loud voice,
yet he didn’t survive the accident
and that was the end of Mr. Safety Proof.
S4S: What is the biggest challenge that you have to face on board?
IEI: Well, as seafarer the are many challenges ranging from communication amongst the crew especially when it is a mixed Nationality who would have different views and culture from you.
S4S: What is your piece of advice to fellow crew members onboard?
IEI:
Stay safe and work safe because being safe is the greatest gift you can give to your family and loved ones. Always be cheerful.
S4S: What inspires you every day onboard?
IEI: I am inspired by the love and unity among the crew despite being from different backgrounds and far away from our families.
S4S: What has been the most extraordinary thing that you have experienced on board?
IEI: I think after having experienced three consecutive unsuccessful pirate attacks on three consecutive voyages should not be ordinary. I do not pray any seafarer to experience such. Also, Breakdown of a major machine while sailing in the deep.
S4S: What is the one thing that should change to make life better on board?
IEI: Poor Welfare of crew, which includes, providing every basic need. Delay in payment of salaries which can cause depression on crew.
S4S: What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking a career at sea?
IEI:
Be prepared emotionally, physically, mentally, and psychologically. Do not choose the career because someone motivated you to do so but let it be based on the passion you have.
S4S: What do you miss the most about your seagoing experience?
IEI: Rising and setting of the sun at sea, it is beautiful and the attention I give to my machineries.
My Ship
(Written by Ikenna E. Idika)
~
Like a beauty pageant;
She comes out where the sky meets the sea,
Endowed with the glory of the sea,
Making her way between the waves,
Assisted by the power of the wind,
Moving with the current.
~
How beautiful she is,
at the sight of her beholder
a beauty every human wants to reckon with
But only the bravest can steer her into the waves.
~
She makes her helmsman a superhuman
In the eyes of mere men
She is loving, if treated well
And becomes dangerous in the absence of safety.
~
What a wonder to see when she sails,
She gives an adventure of a lifetime
She is a lady with many husbands and suitors
Her beauty never fades in my mind
I love my ship and she loves me.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
