4 Frequently Asked Questions in the Maritime Industry (And How They Can Help Aspiring Students Like You)

Being a seafarer is a strenuous venture. Maritime schools Philippines implement strict rules and regulations as there are hurdles you have to overcome before you become a true blue marine. You might have asked yourself these queries too; so before you pursue this kind of career, let these 4 main questions serve as your guide:


 1. What skills will help me succeed in this profession?

If you have these basic skills as early as now, then you’re one step ready to the profession of your dreams.

  • Endurance – The long hours, the emotional toll of being away from family, and vigorous physical activities are just some of the stressors that you have to endure when pursuing a career in the industry. A high tolerance for any kind of pain and passion for what you do can come a long way.

  • Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills – How you approach a problem is vital when choosing the life at sea. What would you do if there are serious emergencies like sudden severe ship damage, traumas, or medical matters? As a seaman, you have to think on your feet.

  • Interpersonal Skills – The people you will be interacting with will be your colleagues for months. Establishing a strong working relationship and getting along with your shipmates is an integral part of your survival.


2. What kind of work can I do on board?

You can consider these jobs at sea:

  • Captain – The captain usually takes care of the navigation and operation of all types of vessels. He/She also works with officers and crew to set a ship's speed and course, monitor a ship's positions, and avoid hazards. Captains also ensure their ship's engines and equipment are maintained and that proper safety procedures are up to par.

  • Ship Deck Officers – They are also referred to as the captain’s right hand. Ship officers are the people who hold a nautical or technical certificate of competence. They assure that vessel is held on its correct course for 24 hours.

  • Ship Engineers – Ships are complex machines that are divided in many parts. The ship engineers are responsible for keeping the ship and all of the machinery’s smooth running.

  • Ratings – They assist in their tasks like mooring, cleaning of the ship and its holds and repairing broken ropes. This require strong physical endurance


3. How about land-based careers?

Landing a career at this industry is not only limited to the sea. These can also be your options before considering entering a maritime school in the country:

  • Shipbuilding and repair careers – The engineering, design, construction, and ship repair fall under this category. You can choose among a roster of positions, ranging from riggers to diesel mechanics and marine engineers.

  • Port operations – Port activities like cargo loading and unloading are the main focus of port operations. The port is a busy place so make sure that you can handle the physical stress. Usual positions include port security officers and port and fleet managers.

  • Shore-based crossover – For those who don’t really prefer to go to sea, but would like to work for the industry, a shore-besd professional career is ideal for you. You can choose to be a warehouse worker, executive assistant, and chief executive among many other career options.

4. How can I cope with the stress?

 Yes, it’s been proven that life at seas has its challenges but it also has its perks! Facilities vary from ship to ship but most vessels have recreational activities available for seafarers. Employers understand your needs and they will give you the necessary resources like home theater systems, gymnasium, libraries, table tennis, and for modern ships, they even have internet options to be able to communicate with loved ones.

No one can doubt the hardships that come with entering a maritime school here in the Philippines but think of it as a small price to pay for a long term of success!

10 Study Tips for Maritime Senior High School Students

If you’re feeling fidgety about a test, don’t worry; there are certain strategies that can get you prepped in no time. Aside from not panicking, here are 10 study tips that can help senior high school for maritime like you ace your exams:

Give Yourself Enough Time to Study

(memecenter.com)

Practice effective procrastination. Yes, that’s an actual thing. There’s a good method for managing laziness. As detailed by Time, the key to productivity is to make more commitments but in a methodical way. Make a to-do list, put impossible tasks on top and then put the doable tasks down the list. The psychology behind this is to play projects off against each other, procrastinating on one by working on another. This goes to show that we are willing to pursue any vile task as long as it allows us to avoid something worse. It’s safe to say that it’s okay to procrastinate just as long you do it the right way.


Declutter Your Study Area

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Whether it be your closet or office desk, excess things in your surroundings can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information. Make sure to clear out your desk first before studying for an exam to make your brain more receptive to details.

Organize a Study Group with Friends

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When forming a study group, keep in mind that it’s for the sole purpose of learning. The first step to make a successful group session is to stay focused! Aside from being a great support system, it’s an opportunity to learn beyond what you know and it makes learning fun and a bit more bearable. Form a group with 4-6 members with the same goal as yours and you’ll be surprised with the outcome.

Eat Healthy

(memegenerator.net)

And by eating healthy, I mean snacking on some brain food. Before you put this idea down the drain, hear me out. Did you know that to maintain a healthy brain you need to eat whole grains, beans, and nuts? Brain food like these can benefit you not only for your upcoming test but in the long run as well! These may seem like drab food choices but they are worth every bite.

Hydrate

(memegeneration.net)

Here’s one of the most basic methods to improve brain function, memory, and focus: drinking lots of water. When your body is packed with water, you will be able to think faster, be more focused, and experience clarity and creativity!

Prepare Yourself Physically

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Maritime senior high schoolers like you need to prepare for the industry’s demanding nature. In the Philippines, trainings like SOLAS require students to be in tip-top shape. On top of these, you will also be given oral and written exams. Try engaging in specialized exercises to calm your nerves and strengthen your core for physical exams.

Make Flash cards

(memegenerator.net)

It’s just a fact: flashcards do work. These learning tools are proven to engage “active recall”, utilize metacognitive faculties (or act of self-reflection), and improves overall memory performance. The great thing is, you have the option to have it in digital form. How convenient is that?

Take Breaks
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When doing any kind of task, taking breaks is an essential part of it. Too much information can make your brain prone to fatigue. When your brain is too tired, you’ll begin to lose focus, and if done so repetitively, you yourself could start losing interest. Fun fact: brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.

Establish media-free zones

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Keep gadgets in a place where you won’t hear it. As long as you have them within arm’s reach, you will constantly check it and the next thing you know, you’re already playing Everwing.

Think of it as delaying gratification—resist temptation now, reward yourself later.

Take Practice Exams

(mememaker.net)

Taking practice tests help get you perfect scores. Studies show that mock exams are great for students’ brains. Testing yourself is an effective way to improve your knowledge and your ability to recall information. It’s also an efficient way to make mistakes while it’s still consequence free.

Don’t you want to be one of the best student, if not, the best senior maritime high school graduate in your school? If you’re aiming for more than just passing, it all starts with one thing: doing great in your exams.

7 Workout Routines to Keep Maritime Students Like You in Tip-Top Shape


In any maritime school in the Philippines, a strict regimen and rigorous physical training is a major part of a student’s journey. These are vital in maintaining a great physique and healthy lifestyle.

If you’d like a daily workout routine without having to use heavy equipment, here are some activities to keep yourself sea ready:

1. Running (at least 30 minutes)


Running sounds like an easy task, doesn’t it? But it involves proper techniques as well. You need to start out slowly, relax your upper body, breathe properly and make sure that your feet hit the ground properly. This physical activity is the “king of cardio” because every time you run, you also decrease your risk of cardiovascular diseases.

2. Side Straddle Hops (50 reps)



Also known as jumping jacks, side straddle hops not only make you burn calories, it also makes the bones stronger. Since it requires you to exercise against the forces of gravity, the muscles pull at the bones thus making them stronger and denser.

3. Flutterkicks (25 reps)



Flutterkicks is an exercise that has a number of benefits. First, it strengthens the stomach and tones it, too. Firmness of the abs and hips can also be gotten when these kicks are done on a regular routine. Lastly, it’s an efficient workout that reduces belly fat!

4. Dive Bomber Push-Up (10 reps)


This workout is sort of an advanced push-up that is great for your upper body system. The starting position is similar to a push-up except your hands and legs are further apart then you start to dive into the floor.

Divebomber push-ups turn the classic push-up into a head-to-toe body challenge. This trains your hamstring, back and shoulder flexibility, as well as strengthens your chest, triceps and core.

5. Mountain Climbers (25 reps)


Mountain climbers is a physical training that should be implemented by maritime schools in the Philippines because of its superb end results. It’s like climbing an invisible hill at a fast pace. The exercise is extremely exhausting but along with the exhaustion comes increased vascular fitness, lost calories, toned bodies, maintained ideal body weight, and a very strong core.

6. Squat Thrusts (20 reps)

A squat thrust may be a more complicated version of a normal squat but it has a great deal of positive effects, too. Although it mainly affects the leg muscles, it can also be considered a “full-body exercise” because it utilizes the triceps, pecs, abs and core muscles.

7. Eight Count Body Builders (25 reps)



It highlights eight fast movements performed to a counting beat. This is one of the most important trainings for future seafarers. The U.S. Navy devised the 8-count bodybuilder, a multi-part exercise that employs intense cardio with resistance training to promote weight loss, build lean muscle and improve overall fitness.

These exercises can increase the body’s tolerance against cold, heat, stress, and pain. Being a student at a maritime school here in the Philippines is a tough endeavor but with determination, right attitude, and passion, being a mariner will all be well worth it.

The Lifesaving Role of Education and Training in the Maritime Industry

(manila.locanto.ph)
The Philippines has become a newly industrialized country and one of Southeast Asia’s growth leaders thanks to thoughtful reforms and stable finances. In the beginning of 2016, the Philippine economy was the fastest growing economy in Asia and even overtook China for a few months.

Due to the country’s booming success, the demand for consumer products and tourism has risen. One sector that plays a vital role in their transportation is the maritime industry.

This poses pressure to several maritime schools in the Philippines. As the nation soars to greater heights, the expectations also rise.

What’s the challenge?

One of the main areas that explicitly need to be addressed is proper education and training. Around 80 to 90 percent of maritime accidents are ascribed to human error. Hence, it is critical that seafarers be well-educated and trained, able to follow orders, manage risks, solve problems, and must be psychologically and emotionally happy to ensure safe, secure, clean and efficient operations for your life at sea.

The lack of proper training should greatly be emphasized because it can cost you your life. If you’re an aspiring mariner looking for a position at sea, make sure to opt for a maritime school in the country that offers state-of-the-art facilities, skilled instructors and top-notch training courses.

Solutions

Several training courses pave the way to a safer, cleaner and more competent environment and one of which is the implementation of the 2010 revised Standard Training and Certificate Watch keeping (STCW) Convention and Code.

In 2010, several amendments were adopted to ensure that the industry is well-regulated. Some of the most notable amendments were: revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers; new requirements for marine environment awareness training and training in leadership and teamwork; and new requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope if their ship comes under attack. On top of these, you also have to undergo SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) training, basic safety training for aspiring maritime workers. The course syllabus includes Personal Survival Training, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. This is a prerequisite before fulfilling your dream of becoming a full-fledged mariner.

There are only a number of school and colleges that offer these maritime training courses. Make sure that your chosen institution is accredited by the Maritime Training Council of the Philippines and MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority).

The increasing demand from the shipping industry requires high-quality of manpower at all times. Maritime schools in the Philippines should also take note of this because they primarily contribute to the role of proper education and training of every maritime student and, eventually, future maritime workers.

5 Ways to Make Maritime Senior High Schoolers Back-to-School Ready

(pntc.edu.ph)
Being in senior high school is being on one of the most important stages in your life.  It’s that time where you start contemplating on life’s huge decisions: should you start immersing yourself in the “real world” or should you pursue a higher education degree program? Either way, preparing yourself for these monumental career steps will start off great if you have yourself prepared first. Let’s start with getting off on the right foot for the coming school year. Here are basic ways how:

Explore your options

                This phase of high school is all about exploration and discovery. Senior High School (SHS) covers the last two years of the K-12 program. During this time, students will get through a core curriculum under a track of your choice.

                There are seven Learning Areas under the Core Curriculum. These are Languages, Literature, Communication, Mathematics, Philosophy, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. Each student can choose among three tracks: Academic; Technical-Vocational-Livelihood; and Sports and Arts. The Academic track includes three strands: Business, Accountancy, Management (BAM); Humanities, Education, Social Sciences (HESS); and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM).
                With these information, uncovering the right fit for you wouldn’t be much of a laborious process. Plus, you’ll be more in tune with where you’d want to grow as an individual or a maritime professional.

Talk out your plans

Seek help and share goals. Making your goals visible boosts accountability, motivation and progress calculation. Not only can you track your progress but others can also remind you if ever you get derailed. Being a senior maritime high school student can become a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry; you don't have to climb this mountain all on your own. You have your parents, siblings, friends, classmates and even teachers to help you through it!

Know the importance of your senior years

Yes, it can get tiring especially with all these senior responsibilities on your shoulders. In addition to this, you will now be faced with a choice: are you simply going to trudge along or are you going to grab every opportunity that comes your way?  

                Setbacks and failures are inevitable but you can overcome them and even use them to your advantage. Highly successful people are the ones who have failed the most. So if you have failed during your former years, it’s about time to step your game up for what lies ahead.

Attend Orientations

                Before you skip that orientation class, keep in mind that it always pays to be prepared. Attending initiation courses can make you learn more about the journey you are venturing on. It sparks confidence and gives you insight on your chosen field. If you’re feeling unsure as to why you picked a certain maritime school and course, maybe you should consider going to those briefings instead.             
      
Make sure to have adequate amount of sleep

Having an adequate amount of sleep is imperative to a successful high school career. Students who tend to sleep less than eight hours a night may not be as awake or alert during the day.

Being in a maritime school is quite challenging. From its strict diet down to intense physical training, getting enough rest is just rudimentary. Make sure to sleep for at least 8 hours and wake up energized! 

These are just some among many other ways to be prepared for your next chapter. Now that your priorities are in order, make sure to pick the best maritime institution that best suits the needs of incoming senior high school graduates.  


4 Technologies That Will Shape the Face of the Maritime Industry in 2017


maritime ships
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The global maritime industry is going through a lot of technological breakthroughs this 2017 and the Philippines is no exception. Enroling in a maritime school would be a fun and engaging experience with the emergence of these modernizations.

Here’s a glimpse of what trends you should look out for in today’s maritime industry:

IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)




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IoT is a 2017 buzzword in almost all industries. The industrial “internet of things” has found its way to sea, with connected sensors and unified platforms designed to provide increased visibility for crews. Its significant impact on areas likes route optimization, maintenance costs, asset tracking (or tracking the location of a ship) and communications provide increased visibility and overall efficiency. The internet’s role is more than just the technical aspects. For seafarers, internet is also a means of communicating with family and friends.

Big Data Analytics
data analytics
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Big Data Analytics is the process of examining large data sets to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends, customer preferences and other useful business information. Imagine all the large volumes of transaction data that every maritime warehouse has to manually store. Big Data Analytics systems have more edge than traditional ones especially in a generation where convenience is well within reach. It also adds to an error-free data analysis.

Shippers will also benefit from better forecasts with the increased availability of shipping data and advances in big data analytics, providing shippers with greater visibility into market and pricing trends.



Robotics
robotics
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Machines have been an integral part of evolution. They make it easier for humans to perform everything. Hull cleaning robots and robot ship inspectors are just some of the robotic technologies for the maritime industry this 2017. When marine organisms pile up on the ship’s hull, called bio-fouling, the ship’s speed is reduced by 10%. Hull cleaning robots are attached to the bottom of the ship and start scrubbing the grime off the surface. Ship inspection is a tedious and dangerous task for surveyors but with the aid of robot ship inspectors, cracks and corrosion can be examined while saving time and improving efficiency.

How fun would it be if maritime schools in the Philippines start adopting these advanced marine technologies?



Autonomous Technology

autonomous technology
(maritimeindustries.org)

With the rise of Big Data Analytics comes the autonomous technology. Autonomous systems have been around since the turn of the 21st century. According to Webopedia, an autonomous system is a group of networks under mutual administration that share the same routing methodology. This trend has finally caught up with the maritime industry.

The use of maritime autonomous systems is developing at a fast pace will continue to grow as technology and research opens new opportunities and affects maritime aspects such as offshore resource exploitation, transport, security, operations and survey.

The maritime industry is growing fast and its technological breakthroughs just keep on getting better and better. Students opt for a maritime school here in the Philippines because of its versatile nature. These innovations pave the way for seafarers to be more technologically adept and informed.
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