I went back to sea after a gap of almost 25 years, and partly out of ignorance and mostly out of stupidity, landed up on an Indian flag dredger plying the Indian Coast.
It took me less than two days to realise why I had chucked up a profession I loved and still love. This is mainly an account of both aspects. Told by way of personal anecdotes and essays explaining the larger picture.
In addition, if you ever wanted to work on a dredger, then you may want to go through this book. Especially if it is on the Indian coast.
Or, if you were thinking of joining the Merchant Navy, then also it may be worth your while.
I offer no solutions, just observations, and mostly with sadness, for what were the best days of my life and now appear to be, gone. Or worse, destroyed.
But then, all is not lost - there are some, many, good parts too. They are there, too.
A mix of personal experiences, narratives from other seafarers, interspersed with articles of professional interest, this book is an offering, a labour of love, dedicated to those who toil on the oceanic wastes to keep the world afloat.
A tribute to what is actually still the most exclusive profession in the world - reserved for a handful of people enabled to cover that 2/3rds of the earth's surface which others would not dream or dare to enter.
The oceans, sea, waterways of the world. The key to economies, power, religion, military might and more - where would all of them be without merchant ships?
Still and always will be the best way to become an adult and really see the world.
Feedback is certainly invited and welcome. Also suggested corrections, improvements and critiques. Please do leave a review?
Thank you for reading my book!!
It took me less than two days to realise why I had chucked up a profession I loved and still love. This is mainly an account of both aspects. Told by way of personal anecdotes and essays explaining the larger picture.
In addition, if you ever wanted to work on a dredger, then you may want to go through this book. Especially if it is on the Indian coast.
Or, if you were thinking of joining the Merchant Navy, then also it may be worth your while.
I offer no solutions, just observations, and mostly with sadness, for what were the best days of my life and now appear to be, gone. Or worse, destroyed.
But then, all is not lost - there are some, many, good parts too. They are there, too.
A mix of personal experiences, narratives from other seafarers, interspersed with articles of professional interest, this book is an offering, a labour of love, dedicated to those who toil on the oceanic wastes to keep the world afloat.
A tribute to what is actually still the most exclusive profession in the world - reserved for a handful of people enabled to cover that 2/3rds of the earth's surface which others would not dream or dare to enter.
The oceans, sea, waterways of the world. The key to economies, power, religion, military might and more - where would all of them be without merchant ships?
Still and always will be the best way to become an adult and really see the world.
Feedback is certainly invited and welcome. Also suggested corrections, improvements and critiques. Please do leave a review?
Thank you for reading my book!!
