Good day everyone
I’m Benedict Cruz
I am Benedict R. Cruz, 29 years old, married, Second Officer onboard MV Vil Atlantic.
I started at Peter Döhle back in 2015. I am a proud product of Döhle Corporate Academy batch 4 – Masigasig. 2015 feels like yesterday. I still remember the advice of Capt. Rainer Starke to us before finishing the Cadetship programme. He told us not to forget what we have learned and never stop learning. I also kept in mind what the previous President of DSPC, Mr Cliff Davis, said in his speech at our graduation: „Do not rush things and focus on becoming an officer, do not side-step to gain ratings just to earn money.”
Being a product of Döhle Corporate Academy really prepared me well to become a Deck Officer,not only physically and mentally, but also emotionally. The programme taught us what a Deck Officer must know, not only theoretically but also practically, thanks to the state-of-the-art facilities they had back then. In September 2015 I joined my first vessel, the MV LUDOLF OLDENDORFF, as a Deck Officer and, thanks to the endless support of my previous Masters, I was able to do the duties and responsibilities of a Deck Officer. On that contract I figured out that I had to familiarise myself with the duties and responsibilities of the next rank. So back when I was a Deck Cadet, whenever I had the chance, my initiative was to try, learn and practice the duties and responsibilities of the Third Officer. I chose to stay on the bridge even after my duty, and even used my rest hours to stay on the bridge with a 3rd mate, especially during his evening navigational watch. There was not much happening on the bridge then, especially in the open seas, but I still chose to stay because “there is never nothing” and there will always be something to learn. All we need to do is to have a deeper interest in learning. That experience really prepared me to become an effective OOW, and after two contracts as a Deck Cadet I was able to pass the licensure examination for OIC-NW and got my first contract as a junior officer in 2017. My adjustment from Deck Cadet to Junior Deck Officer duties and responsibilities did not take too much time. My previous experiences helped me to adjust in no time and, not only because of that, but also with big thanks to DCA, they asked me to undergo Advanced Competency training that also helped me to be well prepared for the actual jobs that were awaiting me onboard the vessel.
During my contract as a 3rd mate I was able to meet our Deputy CSO, Mr Johannes Bach, and I remember he advised me that if I wanted to be promoted to the next rank I should work hard and prepare myself and familiarise myself for the next rank. It was at that time I realised I was on the right path because, just like when I was a Cadet, I continued my routine where, whenever I would have spare time, or finished my LSA and FFE inspections early, I kept my initiative and used that time to go to the 2nd mate and familiarised myself with his duties and responsibilites. I always show my interest and hunger to learn something. After three contracts as a Third Officer I was able to be promoted to Second Officer. Just recently I joined my third vessel as a Second Officer, onboard the MV Vil Atlantic. Just like before I am still working hard onboard to learn and prepare myself for the Chief Officer’s duties and responsibilities. I am praying that, in God’s perfect time, my promotion to Chief Officer will come. Now I have to maintain my interest and focus on learning and preparing myself for the duties and responsibilities of a Chief Officer so, when the time comes, I will be able to do my job effectively and continue my progress until I become a Master Mariner.
The support of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, Döhle Corporate Academy, Döhle Seafront Crewing Manila, Inc. and the Career Development team was a big influence on my career and continued progress. In return I always make sure that I give my 100% cooperation and 100% effort to be an effective Deck Officer onboard. And with that being said, I am looking forward to the coming future when I will become a Master Mariner who serves the rest of his sea-time service in one of the Peter Döhle company vessels.
To the Cadets and Junior Officers that have the same goal as me, to become a Master Mariner someday, may we always have the passion to understand that our goal is not easy, but it is not impossible. Just continue the hard work, be consistent and have the initiative to learn.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV