Understanding your sea

Ms. Flower Liu (anonym), a postgraduate student and also the wife of Alone Ma (anonym), Alone is Chief engineer of the bulk cargo. I get the opportunity to be boarded the “MV Strong” vessel (anonym) to visit my husband on eve of New Year’s Day 20

I am very exciting and curiosity on boarding on such giant ship. Following the crew’s instructions, I boarded the gangway and finally went into Alone’s sea life. It is not as luxury and romantic as Titanic in movie, but room was clean and well-equipped. Alone answers that Titanic is cruiser, however, “MV Strong” is bulk cargo, quite different ship type, thus different interior decoration.

The next day, he guides me a visit to engine room and steering room. The precise instruments, dynamic data convince me that responsibility of sailor. He introduces me his close friends, crankshaft, cylinder head, turbocharger, piston, propeller, fuel injection, this word are quite new for me. The roar and smell of oil in the engine room also improves my understanding on my husband’s common word “no signal in the engine room” and “just changing a light bulb” were. His salary is full of sweat and hard working.

I used to complain him his slow connection and job nature of far distance with family, but now I understood that he was the quickest response during his busy schedule.

Before departure, we took the food back to our room and quietly shared this short reunion. He said, “I know you’ve suffered a lot on your own shoulder.” At that moment, I suddenly understood: love isn’t simply staying together forever, but also mutual shining on each other and supporting each other. He takes responsibility on voyage, support family, I take care of our home, this tactic agreement is deep love by us.

Departure moment finally come. We took a group photo under the ship’s name on the deck, waiting for the pick-up vehicle. Alone was wearing uniform so he could start work immediately; I packed my bags so I could go back to our home. But this farewell is not like Rose and Jack in Titanic, they are farewell forever , we are farewell for have a reunion.

This visit enables me to better understanding Alone’s job and  his “sea”. Thanks to the crew of the “MV Strong” for showing me job nature of maritime workers.