Seafarers have long been subjected to increasing mental problems due to the demands of their work and lifestyle onboard. According to the Seafarers Happiness Index, a report published by The Mission of Seafarers, "feelings of isolation and loneliness are increasingly impacting seafarers... where there is a lack of camaraderie, friendship, and interaction, then seafarers report feeling alone, homesick, and depressed."
In line with the objective of JBLFMU to prepare its students for the foreseen challenges onboard, CEO Dr. Ronald Raymond L. Sebastian and Unit Administrators welcomed Rev. Martin Otto, Hamburg Port Chaplain, director of training for the Seamen’s Christian Friend Society (SCFC) and the Church on the Oceans project in the Philippines.
Rev. Otto, along with Capt. Nelson Sotelo, Vessel Performance Manager (Berge Bulk Maritime Pte. Ltd.), Capt. Kenneth Clavel, Vice President for Operations (Ventis Maritime), Mr. Marcel Mangold, Rev. Mark Lozañes, Ms. Joanna Ruth Genoveza, shared a few life-changing lessons to guide BSMarE students on their quest to become seafarers. As attested by their experiences, life on board would put to the test seamen’s physical, mental, and spiritual stability, and the importance of laying a foundation on one’s faith in God has given seafarers the hope to strive and persist regardless of the perils of the seas.
To convene with more of these uplifting insights, you may check out Rev. Otto’s books entitled "Help! How to Overcome Temptation" and "The Seafarer’s Mind."
Caption: Dave Tubio