by: Jonathan T. Calope (class 2008)

               Five days before Christmas, we were at the Pacific Ocean heading for Quintero, Chile. It was a typical Monday morning and everyone was doing routine jobs onboard M/T Walnut Express. Rhay, one of the A/B’s and I were washing the poop deck, the open floor located at the rear of the ship in layman’s term, when I struck a conversation about his life.  You see, during this time, I have been wondering if being a seafarer was really my call. I still was not sure then so I asked Rhay if he is satisfied with the profession he chose. Well, I actually remember asking him first about his relationship with his late father who was a seaman himself, a chief officer to be exact.  He said that it was kind of different compared to those who have their father with them at home every day after work.