Making an ocean passage on a freighter requires a tremendous amount of leadership, decision making, and teamwork. All the officers and seamen work together to make sure that safety is paramount. Our Pacific crossing has found us with beautiful blue skies, relatively warm weather but very rolling seas. One never knows when a rogue wave might hit and suddenly everything is flying! You begin to learn the walk and talk of the brave men of the sea.

Keeping the spirit alive in their dedication to their careers, that will ultimately provide their families back home a living, is a paramount task. Crew talk of sending their checks home to provide educational opportunities for their children or needed dollars for extended family members. One seaman proudly spoke of his daughter’s ability to secure a nursing degree only because of living his life at sea and the financial stability it afforded for that educational opportunity for his children. The stories of the seamen are heart wrenching and very dedicated to sacrifice for their loved ones!
They are an inspiring group of men and always ready to lend a hand to help a fellow mate or passenger:)!

BBQ’s become a great release and an opportunity for the men to relax and enjoy each other’s company, while such a long way from their loved ones.

It is hard to believe from the middle of the Pacific that it is December 1st and the global celebration of Christmas is so close at hand.

Here are some pics that kicked off the holiday season for the Rickmer’s Shanghai crew: