There are a lot of misconceptions and false belief in circulation with regards to the sea trade.
Being a sailor is beautiful. One gets to travel the world and get paid for it. Though, he/she is not being paid just to travel but for the services rendered to the shipping company.
The seafaring career is a glorious one, which is why sailors pride themselves in it. The nostalgia of a sailor is perfect, one could only imagine what a sailor might have seen during a voyage. Envision sailing under the Northern/Southern lights, also referred to as polar lights An aurora; a natural light display in the earth’s sky. Becoming a sailor might add sparkles and splendor to your being.
Over the years some belief has been passed directly or indirectly in regards to sailors and the marine job. Most of this belief are quite amusing while some are something worth talking about. some of such belief are put down here just for you. they include
- Grocery stores/ shopping malls at sea: There are no grocery stores or some big shopping malls at sea, there are no such markets where one can buy shoes, clothes or even restaurant.
although there is an exception to those boarding a modern day cruise ship even the the service are only rendered within the ship. Most people believe sailors can shop at big stores at sea where they can buy cloths, food items and airtime for mobile phones all this are misconceptions.daily items, food supplies are brought to the ship by food Chandler either at port or sea.
- Sailors are extremely rich: Sailors are well paid due to the high risk activities they undergo on daily basis. Sailors do not get to see loved ones for a specified period of time. it would interest you to know that not all sailors are rich.
it is the belief of most people that sailors are rebirth with gold spoons whenever they are at sea. Sailors have organized ranks and flow of command from the Captain to the cadet.
As the rank progresses upward, the responsibilities increases which makes room for higher pay. Some companies may not pay their ship staffs well. The ever increasing wants and needs of a sailor’s family entrenches his ability to save or even have money at hand. This misconception has led to friends and families mounting their individual liabilities, desires and wants on a sailor.
3.Multiple sex partners: It is believed that sailors are have multiple sex partners Such a belief is unethical. An individual is entitled to his/her own choices, such a decision should not be used to generalize the behavioral traits of all sailors.It would interest you to know that sailors spend most of their time onboard ships with little or no physical contact with the outside world. hypothetically sailors are faithful. although, a sailor may decide to involve in a sexual relationship upon an agreement with his or her spouse, which of course is a choice between the sailor and it sex partner. Female sailors are not left out when it comes to such an unethical and affront belief. In time past, having women onboard spelt doom (a superstitious belief). This superstition has been debunked; modern day ships are manned by eligible and purpose driven women.
4.sailors are drunkards and smokers: The extreme chilling cold experienced at sea is a nightmare to many sailors. Archaic and some modern day sailors smoke pipes and cigarettes to keep warm. This fact is true for only a percentage of sailor there is a greater percentage of sailors that do not smoke at sea due to the adverse effects it has on the health of an individual. it is also believed that all sailors are drunkards and are always with a bottle of whiskey at hand. it might interest you to know that drinking alcohol onboard is a grievous offence and it can lead to immediate termination of contract. This is the major reason for the implementation of the alcohol policy by shipping companies. Smoking onboard a ship is restricted to designated areas visibly marked with a sign- “Smoking Area” spending weeks and months at sea usually takes it tolls on a sailor’s wellbeing. Signing off becomes a time for spending and leisure. When you see a sailor at a drinking spot, you could easily write him off as a drunkard because of their joyful mood and loose tongues.
5.Absence of accomodations and sanitary space: Overtime sailors are used to been asked by a loved one about where they sleep or bath? people wonder where sailors sleep at sea or where they take their baths. Do they swim in the seas to clean themselves? The sea is salty as a result of rain which washes mineral ions from the land into the water bodies.
Onboard ships, sanitary spaces are called “heads” while accommodations are called “cabins”. Be rest assured, sailors have where to sleep after the day’s activities.
