Out at sea, out of sight, out of mind

Here is the rewritten blog post in a polished and professional tone

Behind the Scenes Out at Sea, out of sight, out of mind

Part 1 of 2

The allure of life at sea can be captivating, but for many young Filipinos who venture onto the oceans, it's a harsh reality marked by grueling labor, isolation, and exploitation. The story of Nante Maglangit, a fisherman who worked on a Chinese-flagged industrial fishing vessel, serves as a stark reminder of the darker side of life at sea.

A Life of Enduring Hardship

Maglangit's experience was far from idyllic. His salary was withheld for most of his employment, leaving him struggling to make ends meet. He was fed substandard rations, often going hungry, and sleeping was a luxury he couldn't afford due to the constant demands of the ship's crew.

When Maglangit fell ill and was unable to get out of bed, the Chinese crew simply starved him for the day. The then-29-year-old fisherman felt trapped, with no choice but to endure the abuse.

A Binding Contract

Maglangit signed a contract that disclosed the poor living conditions, limited communication with family and friends, and long working hours. He was also forced to agree to pay his manning agency, Global Marine and Offshore Resources, $1,200 for his recruitment and repatriation costs.

His meager monthly salary of around $300 made it challenging for him to cover these expenses, let alone send money back home to his loved ones.

The Unsettling Reality

When Maglangit began applying for jobs at sea, he was initially thrilled about the prospect of a new adventure. However, as he heard stories from other Filipino fishermen who had recently returned from their stints on Chinese vessels, he started to feel uneasy.

Despite his growing concerns, he ignored his intuition and pursued the job application, hoping that things would be different for him. Unfortunately, his fears were confirmed when he started working onboard the Fu Yuan Yu 058.

A Desperate Plea

In October 2021, Maglangit and another Filipino fisherman appeared in a video by Migrante International, pleading for rescue as their manning agency abandoned them and the ship captain threatened to throw them into lifeboats. They had no food, water, or communication devices.

Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced by many young Filipinos who take to the seas in search of a better life.

To Be Continued...

Stay tuned for part two of this blog post, where we'll delve deeper into Maglangit's story and explore the challenges faced by Filipino fishermen working onboard Chinese-flagged vessels.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.