ONLY THE BEST MEN CAN GO TO SEA

As we celebrate the International Day of Seafarers, we have compelling reasons to share stories of success, hardship and perseverance of a man who have embraced the world of seafaring. Success comes in many forms, but for our featured seafarer, it flows from his passion and evident  on his actions. He used the tried and tested formula for success and  it didn't prove him wrong. 

Engr. Emmanuel S. Se, is one of the hundreds  successful electro technical officers who emerged from NTC-M's Electro Cadet Program. He was part of Batch 6 and sponsored  by DSD Shipping under the management of Barbers Smith Bell.  

My  tete'-a-tete' with Emman bares his hardship and how his perseverance -nature served him well.

GETTING INTO THE PROGRAM

"It wasn't easy"  says Emman. He had to pass one of the major crossroads of his life. Prior joining the program he was Quality Control/Assurance Engineer in an electronics manufacturing company and was  nominated for promotion. The ETO program was endorsed to him by one of his college pals, also a proud NTC-M electro cadet. 

Getting into the  ETO program is like passing through a needle's head, not just one needle but several needles so to speak. To get the best candidate for the program, applicants had to pass numerous exams, ability profiling test, basic safety and brainteasers interview. Only the highly suitable and technical -savvy individual gets into the first base. Company selection is another long story. Qualified candidates are endorsed  to sponsoring principal. Applicants had to undergo the specific company screening process and interview where they have to prove themselves worthy of the training investment; a good sum of money   and   pricey   investment   if  not compensated back.  Once selected, applicants are endorsed for medical and psychological exams, a tedious but necessary and mandatory for seafarer wannabe. 

Emman had surpassed it all, and his journey to seafaring has started. 

CADETSHIP  AND  FAMILY VALUES  

As a cadet, Emman is a follower. Serious type, he treats his training courses as written code that will form part of his success. His batch mates have seen him qualities of a good  leader thus elected as VP of batch 6. Eighteen cadets, 3 of them are married and he's the one who preaches about family values, an innate nature he's fond of sharing. 

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE 

Module 2 ( Shipboard Training )  is one  of the challenging parts of the Electro Cadet Program. Cadets are required to undergo 6 months shipboard training on their sponsoring companies. 

Emman's shipboard training was one of his greatest  experiences so far.  He was only 1 week on-board when their  vessel collided with other vessel. He also experience a long voyage of 45 days from South Korea going to Corpus Christi, Texas. During the said voyage there was too much rolling and pitching of the vessel.  

And while he was adjusting to new phase of his life, he needs to learn and understand how different machineries work on-board. Time bound, he doubled his effort  to  read instruction manuals and compare them to the actual machineries. 

ON CHALLENGES AND COPING UP 

But prior to his shipboard training, Emman faced a lot more challenges  for his Module 2.  He was denied of a US Visa due to his pending Non-immigrant US Visa application, his Module 2 was then delayed for about 4 to 5 more months. As advised by DSD Shipping, he needs to wait for their vessel  that is not trading in US to fulfill his shipboard training.  During the waiting period he spent his time well by working as Laboratory Technician at the Norwegian Training Center-Manila. 

During his 6 months on-board at MT Stavanger Blossom, he whole-heartedly accomplished his Training Record Book; a documented evidence of practical training and experience, duties and responsibilities of an ETO. For the record, he was the first to have had accomplished a comprehensive TRB ( Training Record Book )  and first to receive a promotion during Module 2. NTC-M recognized Emman's  exemplary performance on-board and  was exempted to take Module 3 of the Electro Cadet Program. 

But more challenges come his way, as his next vessel requires a US Visa. For the second time he was interviewed by the consul and  failed again due to the existing Non-Immigrant US Visa application. NTC-M hired him again as Laboratory  Technician and further as Guest Instructor. He handled  courses such as Basic Marine Electrical System, Pneumatics and Electro-Pneumatic courses. Aside from teaching engagement within NTC-M, he was also given the opportunity to have out of  town engagement. He was assigned to UCLM to handle courses for NSA Mar-E Cadets. 

He continuously develop himself and gained more teaching engagements in several training centers in the Philippines. 

When DSD Shipping informed him that all their vessels manned by Barbers Smith Bell  requires a US Visa, it was like his seafaring story has anchored in unplanned destination. But his brave heart and perseverance is parallel to his desire to go seafaring and he knew he will continue sailing. 

Fortunately, DSD has 2 vessels that travel within Europe and Asia, though manned by different agency - NET Ship Management Inc. He was then assigned to MT Stav Viking and MT Stavfjord and during vacation he renders teaching services to NTC-M. 

MORE CHALLENGES 

Everything runs smoothly until the removal of ETO position  on his vessel due to cost cutting measures. This has greatly affected him since he has limited vessels to go onboard. And despite the fact that he's  performing very well the US Visa problem has slowed him down. 

Capt. Luis Y. Tapia, EVP for operations/ Crewing Manager and one of his greatest advisers from NET Ship Management Inc. nominated him  to one of their principals – Wisby Shipmanagement AB.  Emman  was immediately accepted but  he  needed  to pass the US Visa application. By then, he made a tough decision to request to US Embassy the cancelation of his petition for non-immigrant visa. For the 3rd time, he applied for US Visa. Finally he passed.

   

Through the nomination of Capt. Gustav Modin, Area Resource Manager of Wisby Ship Management AB, whom he worked on-board for 3 times and witnessed  his capacity as an Electro Technical Officer ,  Emman is recently promoted as Electro Technical Superintendent.  

INSPIRED  TO SUCCEED 

Inspiration fuels extraordinary success. In normal circumstances, quitting is the fastest way to escape  difficulty. When faced in many challenges majority of us will sail to another destination, a different one, away from the vulnerability of challenging situations. But Emman did not quit; his wife and kids are his greatest inspiration. 

POSITIVE ATTITUDE PAID OFF 

When asked if he ever think he'll reach this far, he was modest enough to say yes because he is driven to achieve his dreams and he fuels himself with the best attitude to accomplish tasks given to him. Definitely  his positive attitude paid off. It was his armor that helped him overcome all challenges that came and will come along his way. 

As a piece of advice to upcoming electro cadets, he emphasized the importance of positive attitude. " A very knowledgeable person is still incompetent without the right attitude; shipping companies are not just after your technical know-how, attitude will still be your passport to success"

FULL-PLEDGED SEAFARER 

Emman Se is a licensed ECE; he  graduated from Technological Institute of the Philippines in 2003 and now a full-pledged seafarer.  Given a chance to turn back time, he will study Marine Engineering and hopes to become a Chief Engineer someday. 

" I am not successful yet, I still have a long way to go" says Emman.

NTC-M's ETO Program has  opened doors of opportunity for Emman. And although, he does not consider himself successful enough,  his story is worth sharing  especially for the upcoming members of NTC-M ETO Program.