This just might be the right place for my pieces about Seafarers’ International, my Amtrak experiences, and other travel related musings. Yes, definately, I will post them here!
So what follows is my first new Seafarers’ piece. Short and to the minute (an allusion you might smile over by the end of the article). This will be published in the next issue of the SIC newsletter.
Wave on wave
They arrived at the St. Simons airport from the Philippines in the early morning hours of February 12. Pedro Cruzat (49) and 28 year old Rodel Zembo were delivered to the International Seafarers’ Center on Newcastle St. in Brunswick, GA where they began a tedious wait for their ship, the Star Florida, scheduled to berth at 10:30 that evening.
Hesitant and obviously tired from their long cross-ocean flight, they were warmly greeted by volunteers who offered refreshment and the comfort of the Seamen’s house for the remainder of their long day.
Curious about their story, I approached and asked if they would tell me how they came to be in Brunswick, Georgia.
“I am a Chief Engineer for the ship,” Seaman Cruzat told me, and said there were only a few Chief Engineers available in the company that employed him. Because of that he explained, “I only got two month’s vacation instead of three, but,” he added with a broad smile, “I got to spend Christmas with my family in the Philippines.”
According to Cruzat, his work aboard ship will take him across yet another ocean to Germany, Rotterdam, and perhaps, Antwerp before Star Florida will reverse its journey and return to the United States.
“How many trips have you made?” I asked, “Or maybe I should ask, how long have you been doing this?”
“I began work for this company in 1990,” Cruzat replied. “I’ve made this crossing (the Atlantic) about twenty times.”
Turning to the younger man, I observed, “So you’re in good company; he really knows the ropes. How many voyages have you made?”
“This is just my second trip,” Seaman Zembro quietly replied.
Thinking that both men were probably more than ready for a long nap, I thanked them for their time, and left them to pursue their missing sleep.
At this writing, the Seafarers are stretched out on two couches.
Flying for hours across one ocean to spend several days crossing another; now, that’s a special kind of work.
February 12, 2013