seafarers

The quest for Sea Time, admittedly, is a global challenge to some countries which have politicians, with their stomachs and brains focused on amassing funds for future elections managing their maritime resources.

It is indeed adversity of meandering from frying pan to fire, a tale of pot calling the kettle black, that a country like Nigeria, with her vast waters filled with riches envied by many countries, continues to wallow, gallivanting from country to country in search of elusive Sea Time for youths she sent to acquire skills and education on maritime administration, shipping and technology.

“If we pay for our Cadets to get Sea Time, are we also going to pay for them to be employed? What is Sea Time without employment?

While we struggle and haggle over sea time, the world is moving on with Autonomous Ships. Are we aware?

Rolls Royce and other institutions have invested huge sums on researches that have reached very advanced stages on the possibilities of launching Autonomous Cargo Ships on the world’s oceans within 24/36 months.

It is doubtful if there are researches/findings on the aquatic nature, species, habitats, draught and environmental impacts exerted on/by our aquatic co-habitants.

A country that goes round in circles, delighting in motion without movement, doing same things over and over and expecting different results is likely to be stagnated, festering in self-delusion as grammar after grammar is mouthed.