When the sea speaks: M’sian sailors share stories of life far from shore

KUALA LUMPUR: Sailors often spend months at sea, far from loved ones and the familiarity of life on land. Days can shift quickly from routine to danger, absurdity – and even unexpected moments of humanity.

Now a new anthology, “Stories of the Seas”, brings together tales by former officers and engineers of Malaysian International Shipping Corporation Bhd (MISC), who served during the 1970s and ’80s.

Compiled by Captains Ahmad Sufian and Rasol Puteh, the 274-page book features a rich collection of firsthand accounts, reflections and adventures that will captivate seasoned seafarers and curious landlubbers alike.

Ahmad, who has over four decades of experience in the maritime field, commanded his first merchant cargo ship at age 29 and was the first Malaysian officer aboard MISC’s inaugural vessel, MV Bunga Raya.

He later chaired the country’s first maritime venture-capital firm and played a key role in supporting maritime education and training, including institutions such as Akademi Laut Malaysia.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, he shared that the idea for the book came out of lunch gatherings that took place every few months with fellow seafaring colleagues.

As often happens when old friends and sailors gather, stories flowed freely, eventually prompting the idea of compiling them into a book.

“I thought it would be a good idea to share what this life was really like, especially with younger generations,” Ahmad explained.

“I’m very thankful to all my friends and contributors. Compiling their stories brought back many memories of my own career.”

Readers can look forward to 94 easily digestible tales, most spanning between one and five pages. Some are suspenseful, recounting dramatic incidents involving stowaways, ship fires, violent storms, and even pirates.

Others are more lighthearted: “Matter of Miscommunication” tells of jokes taken too far, culminating in a helicopter landing on deck. “Receiving Letters at Port” follows a sailor who goes to unusual lengths to overcome envy.

Then there’s “The Case of the Bent Penis”, which centres on a deeply, ahem, unfortunate medical accident far from shore.

The most memorable stories, however, celebrate the camaraderie and enduring bonds forged among those who spend their lives on open waters.

“Prayers for Mano”, for instance, is a funny and moving account of sailors paying tribute to a fallen friend, while “Humanity at Sea” recounts how a vessel went against company policy to rescue refugees from a half-capsized boat.

Meanwhile, “The Anchor and the Shore” follows a sailor on a risky journey through China in pursuit of a touching family reunion. Younger readers may be surprised to learn that in the early 1980s, most Malaysians were restricted from travelling to China because of foreign policy.

Ahmad believes there are many more stories waiting to be told, and hopes to produce a follow-up volume focusing on those who served from the ’80s to the ’90s.

And ultimately, he hopes more people will discover the unique challenges and rewards of a life at sea.

“We have a dedicated group of Malaysians who have served the nation passionately,” he said.

“It’s very important that we keep this profession going – we need more people in this field to ensure the success of our maritime trade.”

To order your copy of ‘Stories of the Seas’, click here.

المصدر: Free Malaysia Today