What Seafarers Really Think About Shore Leave

From safety to sightseeing, seafarers from across the world share their thoughts on the topic on everyone’s lips: shore leave.

“A ship can be repaired in dry dock, but a sailor is restored on shore. Leave is the essential medicine for the mental strain of isolation. It is the moment a mariner ceases to be a gear in a machine and becomes a person again.”
3rd Officer John Mark Cartagenas

“In the constant pursuit of meeting targets and completing voyages, seafarers are often pushed deep into routine and pressure. Shore leave is a seafarer’s chance to rise to the surface and take a breath.”
3rd Officer Jay Daquila

“To us seafarers, the meaning of shore leave is more than just a rest or a break. It is a reminder that we are human beings, not just a cogwheel needed to run these enormous floating steel machines.”
Ordinary Seaman Marck Joenie Cambonga

“Just the sight of land makes a seafarer giddy. Shore leave brings vitality to crew – a reset. But more than that, shore leave allows you to see the world for free”.
3rd Officer Danica Mae Madela

“After long days or weeks onboard, it is one of the few chances to reset. It becomes even better when spent with crewmates, helping build camaraderie before returning onboard calmer, more focused, and safer at work.”
Chief Mate Josue P. Nituda

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to go ashore and experience Osaka’s culture, food, and beauty. For me, this shore leave was not just a break; it was a dream come true.”
Able Bodied Seaman Marvin Pagoyo Acedo