Who is better – Indian or Filipino officer?

HARBORSCOPE volume 2 no. 5

In the previous edition of Harborscope, Chief Engineer Chito F. Majabague, a director of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association Inc. and senior manager at the Asea Brown Boveri (ABB), was quoted as saying that most principals he met could not help but compare Filipino officers from Indian officers.

According to Majabague, the “shipowners would choose Filipino officers when it comes to skills. When it comes to paper works, they choose Indian officers.”

Capt. Krishna Kumar Mundath of Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd based in Hong Kong confirmed Majabague’s statement.

Mundath revealed that some Indian officers tend to make job look difficult and they would do it to get more recognition.

He divulged that “when it comes to regulation and knowledge, most Indian officers are quite alright to that. When it comes to hands-on, most junior officers (deck and engine) don’t want to have hands-on skills. As early as 3rd mate ranks, they want to do white collar jobs.”

To support his statement, he cited a situation wherein an Indian 3rd mate was asked to paint a lifeboat. “He won’t do it. He will ask the lower rank employee to do it and then supervises it. Today’s time, some of them have this problem. It is a question of how you get the work done diplomatically. You have to motivate the same guy to do the job,” the young captain said.

The master said it becomes a trend. When he joined the industry 20 years back, he said very few would choose the profession. Today, there are lots of job to do ashore.

He divulged knowing an Indian officer, who after two contracts, went to London to get MBA degree. “Now, he is a part of the IMO. I know the level of his skills. Now he is drafting policy for shipping? What does he know about policy? I can understand if he is a captain or a chief engineer and then get an MBA,” he said with his head shaking.

When asked how he finds the Filipino officers, he said, “They do have out-of-the-box thinking. They don’t go by the book. They can think of different line and come up with a good solution. That makes them better.”

Will you agree? What do you think?

* * *

One good thing about watching the international news is that sometimes, you get good reports about Filipinos excelling in other countries in different fields. It makes me believe that indeed, Filipinos do shine, wherever they are in the world.

During the recently-concluded Seafarers 2009 Conference in Singapore, I happened to see a Filipino officer who presented in lieu of a personality from the Magsaysay Maritime Corporation. He is Capt. Alberto F. Dela Cruz, Jr. – a newly promoted master mariner.

His name doesn’t ring a bell to me until he started talking about his experiences, his company, and what he thinks the Filipino seafarers need and want from their employers. He became an instant personality during that moment because together with Capt. Mundath, they were lauded for their excellent presentations.

Capt. Mundath’s comment about Filipino officers has also contributed to good (‘pogi’ – handsome) points for Filipino merchant mariners. How I wish every single Filipino officer will be as smart and as intellectual as Capt. Dela Cruz and Capt. Mundath.

However, after meeting Capt. Rupnarayan Sarkar of Vanguard Ship Management (S) Pte Ltd, I was saddened by their reports (see article on page 4) about the Filipino senior officers that they have interviewed. Even his Filipino port captain, Capt. Ruz Florida, was also dismayed by the sad report.

Now I wonder. How will the world admire Filipino officers in general when a few of them doesn’t actually care to know or update themselves with the existing international laws and regulations and its changes? Is this really happening or is it just an exception to those who really prove their worth?

I guess it is high time to call on ALL the Filipino merchant marine officers, cadets, and maritime students to be their best and to do their very best all the time. I guess the seafaring profession is for the best, well-disciplined, and intellectually-good people. Being average is a handicap. They must do better and exert more efforts to become intellectually and physically fit to become ship officers.

Why am I saying this? First is maritime safety! The practical and intellectual approaches to safety of life, property, and cargo at sea cannot be set aside. No question that it is the first and foremost thing the international shipping is concern of.

Next there is communication which is also vital to successful navigation. There is piracy; there is maritime pollution; the international rules and regulations; the continuous training, among others.

This is obviously the reason why different manning agencies, including the International Maritime Employers Committee (IMEC), among others, are capitalizing on the best, cream-of-the-crop students to become their scholars. After four years, they are assured of 100% competent crew onboard.

* * *

We are glad to introduce to you our new columnist for Health section. She is Dr. Mary Jennifer D. Mendoza.

Dr. Mendoza is a consultant at the Physician’s Diagnostic Services Center. She is a graduate of the Far Eastern University- Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Center and an internist- Cardiologist from the Philippine Heart Center.

We deemed it necessary to open a health section for the medical information of our readers, our seafarers and the shipping executives.

If there is any health topic or any question concerning your health status, please feel free to send her an email at harborscope@yahoo.com and we assure you that she will be very glad to reply. So write on!

* * *

The recent Seafarers 2009 Conference organized by IBC-Asia (S) Pte Ltd saw a significant drop in attendance. Conference Manager Elsie Chen admitted that they are actually expecting some 50 participants only due to the economic crisis that most companies are experiencing. Most companies really need to make a budget cut and most people would rather refrain from traveling. The A(H1N1) virus scare has probably influenced the decision to set aside travel plans too.

Though the second Seafarers Conference saw significant drop as compared last year, the 2009 convention is far better than the first. It has tackled the present concern of the industry and most speakers have presented significant solutions and practical approaches fundamental to the needs of the stakeholders of global shipping.

The Seafarers 2009 Conference has indeed opened an avenue for intellectual exchange among stakeholders. Delegates and participants have experienced critical analysis and wholesome responses to every presentation and open forums. The conference has also paved the way for marketing opportunities, not to mention the effectiveness and cooperative nature of the organizers.

Good job Ms. Tham Rouyi, Elsie Chen, and Ryan Kumar! Keep it up.

Cheers!