PORTRAIT OF A SHIP

I was the only passenger on the cargo ship. 24 crew members and me, the only woman. It took 13 days to cross the Atlantic, 16 to touch earth again. With contracts of 4 months for the officers and 9 months for the rest of the crew, the ship becomes a floating island, a tiny nation, a moving, temporary home where time has to be constantly re-set, where running is possible only on the treadmill, where, apart of the rare visit of a bird or the sight of dolphins, the only other breathing presence is one or some of the other mates.

Andriy – Chief Engineer (Ukraina)

Engine Bottom Plates – Propeller Shaft

The only thing I knew for sure when I was seventeen is that I didn’t want to go to the army. I grew up in the Soviet Union. The only way to avoid this was marine school so I applied there. I guess I have chosen engineering instead of officer because of the bicycles… as a child I was always around bicycles, working on them was fun. Now I am used to this life, the most difficult part is missing the family. I am the opposite of my wife, she can’t sleep when it is noisy and complains about our neighbours, I wake up when there’s silence, to me it means that something is wrong.

Baja – Able Seaman (Philippines)

Navigation Deck – Bridge Wing

Usually the contracts for filipinos are of nine months, but this time I have asked for six months only. Nine months is too long, I get bored and on this ship the gym is not very furnished. As a child I dreamed of becoming a seaman, and now I am here, living the dream… but my favourite part of all is always when I can fly back home to my family.

Arnold – Messman (Philippines)

Dry Provision Store

In my free time, but sometimes also in the washroom, I listen to music. It drifts me away from here and brings me to thoughts I like thinking of. Memories, known places. I listen to very melodic music, mostly love songs. Sometimes I sing along but I don’t have a good voice for singing.

Dan – Second Officer (Romania)

Navigation Deck – Chart Space

I miss my daughter and my wife. My daughter is now nineteen, she will soon leave… at least we hope so, for her, she is a smart kid! Difficult age! They both constantly send me messages about how the one cannot understand the other. They write to me and I am here, in the middle of the ocean.

Haichao – Cadet (China)

Navigation Deck - Wheel House

I will become an officer, but I don't want to spend my entire life doing only this. Maybe one 4 month contract per year, and the rest of the time I can travel to know the world. I think I will also open an ice cream shop in China, where I serve it in half melons... they do it in Thailand, it is beautiful and very delicious!

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