The Seafarer's Mind E-Book

Martin Otto

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

The Seafarer’s Mind is a wonderful resource for seafarers. The book is rich in narrative and case studies and covers a wide range of issues and challenges facing sailors on the high seas. A hard hitting account which unpacks the realities of a modern version of indentured labour, the author provides hope in the often harsh world of seafaring. This is a practical guide to living in isolating and confined situations where temptations abound and moral compasses are often abandoned.

Martin Otto is the world’s leader in serving seafarers through his international mission work. He is to be commended for being God’s advocate in such an insightful, humble and practical manner. This book will become a widely read text and is sure to become a key reference for all seafarers seeking to live a Godly life in an often harsh and unforgiving environment. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Professor Ross Dowling AM
Global Cruise Ship Lecturer
Perth, Australia

Leseprobe

Martin Otto

The Seafarer's Mind

The Questions I’ve Always Wanted to Ask

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Title

Martin Otto

The Seafarer’s Mind

Seamen’s Christian Friend Society Edition

Vol. 7

Vol. 1 Volker Lamaack. The Prision at Sea (English, German, Taglish)

Vol. 2 Martin Otto. Seafarers – a strategic missionary vision (English, German, Spanish, Tagalog)

Vol. 3 Martin Otto. HELP! How Can I Overcome Temptation? (Englisch, Taglish)

Vol. 4 Martin Otto. Faith at Sea (English, Taglish)

Vol. 5 Martin Otto. Church on the Oceans (English, Tagalog)

Vol. 6 Volker Lamaack. The only Bridge – A basic Bible Course for Group Work (German, English, Tagalog)

Vol. 7 Martin Otto. The Seafarer’s Mind (English)

Seamen’s Christian Friend Society www.scfs.org

Martin Otto

The Seafarer’s Mind

RVB

Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek

The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de

Copyright © 2020 by Martin Otto [email protected]

Reformatorischer Verlag Beese Friedensallee 76, D-22765 Hamburg [email protected]

ISBN 978-3-944472-23-2

Printed in Germany

Cover: HCB Verlagsservice Beese, Friedensallee 76, 22765 Hamburg www.rvbeese.de / [email protected]

Layout: Titus Vogt

Production: CPI / Clausen & Bosse GmbH, 25917 Leck www.cpi-print.de / info @cpi-print.de

Introduction

During many of my conversations with seafarers, on countless ships, it has become clear that certain problems are common to the seafaring life. Undoubtedly the primary “problem” is the need, the financial circumstances, which drive so many people in so many countries to enter into this way of life in order to support their family.

Let us take for example the young Filipino in his densely populated city who has listened into the conversations of seafaring friends and relatives and has decided, perhaps from his early years to follow their example and ‘go to sea’. He is aware of the need to develop his English language skills and has tried to do so at school, but this proves to be quite hard in daily social life where he is most probably continually required to respond in Tagalog, Cebuano or a local dialect. He is also much blessed if his family has been able to afford to keep him at school through all his grades, and he needs these basic literacy and numeracy skills to qualify him for a foothold on the examinations ladder leading to a basic registration as a seaman. Perhaps he is blessed by a seafaring relative helping him through the financial barriers of primary education to climb the wall of secondary education in preparation for the ‘hurdles’ of a tertiary marine college education.

In the Philippines alone one can find several maritime schools, which offer a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, and even a basic seaman’s course. After receiving the Bachelor degree, the candidates are required to take the seaman’s state board exam. In order to become a registered seaman in the Philippines, an applicant should have a valid Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), which is a document proving the applicant has passed the minimum standard requirements as a licensed mariner for the seamanship profession and trade.

Many seafarers put great effort into joining the ranks of seafaring relatives and friends. They sacrifice their time, money and energy, and leave their homes just to become a seafarer. However, they often do not anticipate the many problems, which will arise once they have reached their goal and found employment working for a shipping company. The lifestyle, they worked so hard to achieve, is a whole new world of unimagined problems and troubles. The newly recruited seafarer is often surprised at the length of their working day and its physical and emotional demands. They perhaps never considered how much they were themselves sustained by friends and family, and only come to realize this in the course of their lives away from home. Even after ten or twenty years at sea many seafarers continue to find loneliness to be problem. Yes, of course, they were aware of these possibilities. But now once on board, they are facing reality and it all feels so different. The possibility and the reality are really two different pairs of shoes.

Once the problem of loneliness is somehow faced and accepted, another problem arises. The question being, how to continue as a good spouse when separated from loved ones, thousands of miles away. Yes, modern technical solutions such as smart phones, tablets, and laptops do enable the family to keep in touch, but inevitably the limitations of these communications challenge a seafarer to question his contribution to his family as a husband and parent. However, compared to the past, when communication was only possible through letters (long distance telephone calls were only possible when the ship was docked and were also very expensive), these mobile phone technologies are a definite improvement.

Seafarers are very challenged by questions regarding their responsibilities as fathers in raising their children. They themselves miss being away from their children and mobile phone conversations are no substitute for the physical warmth of being together as a family.

The seafarer is torn between being unable to be the provider of both financial and emotional stability for his family. However, the family financial circumstances prevent him from remaining at home where he knows he should be contributing to the emotional stability and growth of his family. Being at sea on the long contracts, which are usual, he perhaps sees his children only once a year during a very short vacation. The seafarers’ children grow up with their friends, their mother, grandma etc., but where is the father who can model good behavior, teach them, train them up and guide them in finding their path for the future? Where is the love and care of the father that children long for? More questions take shape, such as: “What kind of school should I send my children to?” What will be the quality of the education?” And, “where should we live – which place provides the best environment for growing up?”

Some seafarers might also ask themselves: Was it a mistake to become a seafarer? How can I prepare for old age? How can I even bring up my children when I am not home? Is there anything I can pass on to them even though I live separated from them? There’s no end to all the questions and doubts that can plague seafarers. I don’t know the answers to these questions, and I realize that some questions are very hard to answer. However, I hope to help and encourage you with a few ideas, suggestions and guidelines and the testimonies of other seafarers from which there is much to be learned. Moreover, I will show you a few guidelines from the Bible. We have received numerous emails from seafarers confirming that such biblically based guidelines are indeed helpful. The Creator of all mankind passed on to us these guidelines. It is Jesus who understands seafarers better than anyone else. He spent more than 30 years on this earth separated from his Father in Heaven. He experienced and understands loneliness. He understands how it feels to be separated from home. He understands you very well because he made the greatest sacrifice of all time. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus gives us encouragement: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” There is no problem that Jesus cannot handle. It makes him happy when we come to him, because he cares for us. Did you know that in the Old Testament there is a passage about the perilous lives of seafarers? Psalm 107:23-30 describes seafaring in these ancient times: “Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.”

It is my hope this book will hearten, encourage and strengthen you. May God bless you as you sail on the vast oceans of the world!

Finally, I would encourage you to respond with your comments, questions and ideas. Please let me know if you were helped by this book and if so, in what way. I will do my best to answer your mails as soon as possible. My email address is: [email protected]

Acknowledgements

This book has been made possible only through God’s grace and the help of many seafarers, especially Melody Julian, who sent me interviews, ideas, proposals, prayers and who encouraged me to continue writing. The list would be too long to mention everyone, but I still want to name Captain Kennette Clavel, Captain Danilo Bueno and Captain Rodrigo Failma, Captain Nelson Sotelo, as well as Chief Cook Geovanie Daleon, whose wonderful contributions enhance this book. Mrs. Jessica Segundo, the secretary of the Seamen’s Christian Friend Society in Manila, also deserves heartfelt thanks for taking the time to interview the children of seafarers. Mike Burleigh from Sailor Society did a great job in proofreading. And lastly, I would like to thank Marcy Schoenke, who put this book into readable English. Without her efforts my labors would have been in vain. This is the fourth book she has helped me with. May the Lord reward you Marcy for by so helping this one person you have helped, God only knows how many seafarers?

Endorsements

I have read with great interest The Seafarer’s Mind, the new book from Reverend Martin Otto. Martin’s books, of which this is the fifth, are written in such a way that Christian seafarers, and ship visitors like myself, can easily identify with the very real challenges seafarers face with a life at sea.

Personally, the thing I like the most about Martin’s books, is the fact that they contain plenty of testimonies from seafarers themselves. These testimonies give the reader insight into how seafarers are helped by their Christian faith.

I thoroughly recommend The Seafarer’s Mind.

May you, as the reader, find guidance with the support of other seafarers who have found help from Christ. Martin, thank you for this new gift in seafarer ministry – may our Lord bless you in your ship visiting and writing ministry in the port of Hamburg.

Revd. Alexander Eberson, Sailors’ Society Port chaplain Terneuzen (Netherlands) and Ghent (Belgium)

Martin Otto has written several books that have been a blessing for both seafarers and those interested in working with them. This book is a practical look at many of the key issues that seafarers deal with on a regular basis. He has the ability to help us understand the complexities of working at sea. As a port chaplain I was able to gain a greater understanding of what seafarers are going through both on the ships and back at home with their families.

I was surprised to know of many of their struggles, but I think it’s wonderful how God is working through them to bring seafarers into his kingdom and closer to him. I pray that many seafarers will read this book so they can better understand how to deal with the ship’s life and more quickly find God’s presence to help them navigate through life at sea.

Mark Wodka Port Chaplain Canaveral – USA Port Ministry International (PMI)

Ensuring that you have your firm foundation anchored on Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make as a seafarer. Diligently and faithfully seek to know Him and His will for your life. Be equipped and ready when the storms of life are come rushing to push you down. At the end of the day, no matter what threats, storms or waves of ocean may overwhelm you, you can rest assured that He is still in control.

This book aims to help you by inspiring you with real accounts of seafarers onboard who would like to give light and hope to those who need it most. They are offering you sound advice, encouragement, guidance and sense of direction to point you to the Only True God, the Living God who has power over the seas and winds to keep you standing firm on your Christian faith. I pray that this book will bless you as much as it has blessed me.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Capt. Joel Abutal MM. MSc, President Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Philippines

Bro. Martin’s compilation of seafarer’s experiences, are authentic and real life experiences. Congratulations again on your new book which I believe will be used to encourage other seafarers to serve more in the vineyard of the Lord. God’s anointing is on the author of this book. Continue to be a blessing to us seafarers Bro. Martin. You are a blessing indeed!!

Your brother, in His grace!

Capt. Nestor M. Vargas Fleet Manager Michaelmar Philippines Inc.

In this book Martin Otto shows with empathy and a deep understanding what the concerns and challenges are that is constantly weighing on the minds of many seafarers. Best of all, seafarers are speaking for themselves and explain the dilemmas they are facing every day, such as doing what they are doing for their families, but at the same time, in many ways, sacrificing their families. The price for being a seafarer is often very high and leads to a sense of being trapped. What for many seafarers begins as a dream, ends up as a nightmare.

Well done to Martin for weaving together a rich description of the problem, but also for pointing out and showing with compassion and understanding the way to the Solution: The God of relationship, friendship and not the God of religion. Christ’s forgiveness and grace are presented as the answer that will lead to healing and restoration. This includes very practical help with important aspects of the seafarers’ lives such as marriage, parenting, improving communication, overcoming temptations and so much more.

I enjoyed reading the book very much. Well done for writing another excellent book!

Thank you, Martin, and all the seafarers who participated in making this wonderful book possible. I strongly recommend this book to seafarers, families and friends of seafarers as well as anyone involved in the wonderful ministry to seafarers.

Chris Viljoen PhD Port Chaplain, Durban, South-Africa Christian Seaman’s Organisation

I just finished reading your impressive book about the life and struggles of the seafarers.

Your new book “The Seafarers’ Mind” is more than a narration of what is going inside the minds of seafarers on board. It is a collection of both dramatic and inspiring real-life stories of seafarers in their hearts as they traverse the seas and return to land. It is a thought-provoking book, which opened my eyes and touched my heart to the human struggles and spiritual victories of seafarers, how they work on the ship despite loneliness and sickness, how they try to keep marriage and family together at home. The book shows the reader the human side of seafarers, who are not anonymous machines, but human beings with hope despite despair, faith despite temptations. The life-situation of seafarers shows the dark side of globalized commerce and world-wide poverty today: how people are forced to abandon their homes for survival, how they endure inhuman working conditions for the sake of their loved ones left behind. This book gives tribute and respect to the challenging life of seafarers, which is often ignored and forgotten. It also gives bible-based spiritual guidance to Christian seafarers and workers in the maritime industry. I recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand the plight of the seafarers, as well as their faith and hope.

Fr. Simon Boiser SVD Port Chaplain Stella Maris – Hamburg Germany

As a Port Chaplain myself, this is a must read. ‘The Seafarer’s Mind’ will be a reminder for me for many years to come. Like Martin’s previous work, this book has guided my missionary work and seafarers are moved by it. It’s such an emotional piece of work too! The author was able to touch my heart as he shared about some common life challenges. It is an inspiring book, which I have recommended to my fellow Chaplains.

Mark Classen Port Chaplain, Richards Bay – South-Africa Mission to Seafarers (MtS)