An unexpected voyage | The Manila Times

CAN someone become a seafarer without going to a maritime school?

This question spurred Jose Jelly Eledia’s career from something he thought would anchor him on land for good to a journey across the high oceans.

Eledia was a licensed teacher and master electrician. He was teaching electrical technology at the Guimaras State University when his uncles, all seafarers, realized his potential.

“I came from a family of seafarers. When they learned in 2006 that I am a licensed and registered master electrician, they asked me to try a career at sea,” Eledia said.

Heeding the encouragement of his family and driven by thoughts of working on ships, Eledia quit teaching and flew to Manila. He immediately took all the required training to qualify as a marine electrician and applied for a Seaman’s Book.

Then, as with many Filipino seafarers who had no “backer,” Eledia found himself searching for a manning company in Kalaw, a stretch of road in Ermita, Manila, frequented by job-hunting seamen.

“I was fortunate. I was hired that same year by Status Maritime Corp. as an electrician,” Eledia said.

Electrical officers are responsible for monitoring all electronic and electrical equipment onboard to maximize the operational safety and efficiency of the vessel under the chief engineer’s overview. When promoted to electro-technical officer (ETO), they are deemed as one of the most important people on a vessel, especially when it comes to the expertise of handling electrical and hydraulic machinery.

“I started on bunkering vessels in Fujairah, UAE, to oil and chemical tanker and very large crude carriers (VLCCs) that sail internationally,” he continued.

It was aboard these ships that Eledia encountered some of the most unforgettable times of his seafaring life, mostly heartbreaking and tragic. One was the death of a fellow crew member who figured in an accident due to unsafe working practices. Another was when pirates attacked his ship in Lagos, Nigeria. Some years later, he survived a rocket-propelled grenade attack in the Gulf of Aden.

Dropping anchor in VMA

In 2020, after 14 years of sailing the high seas and working up the ranks until he became an ETO for tanker vessels, Eledia finally dropped his anchor in Bacolod.

“It was the time when I first met Niña Orola-Salabas, eldest daughter of the then-president of Visayan Maritime Academy (VMA), Dr. Elizabeth Orola-Salabas. We were introduced by my cousin, who was her friend. She offered a teaching position in VMA and introduced me to Gilbert Juesna, dean for maritime studies, and Capt. Niño Elson Orola-Salabas, the son of Dr. Salabas.

“I hesitated to teach in a maritime school because I never became an officer-in-charge (OIC) onboard a ship, nor was I a maritime graduate. Sir Niño, however, saw my potential. He cited my eligibility and experience as an ETO onboard,” Eledia recalled.

Since then, he has taught Electro 1 (Basic Electricity), Electro 2 (Basic Electronics), Electro 3 (Marine Electricity), and Auto 2 (Marine Automation 2) with VMA Global College and Training Centers, Inc.

“What’s best about what I do now is imparting my experience to my students. Not only do I get to share my skills but also the life lessons I have learned from the sea,” he said.

“I always say that seafaring is not easy. It requires physical and mental strength, and they should prepare to battle the reality and harshness of the sea.”

Eledia also shared one of the challenges he encounters as a maritime educator in the province.

“Teaching freshmen students with an agriculture background from senior high school is quite a challenge. They lack electro-technical knowledge, and the gap sometimes disheartens students. We need to bridge their skills from agriculture to maritime and encourage them to continue and complete their marine engineering course,” Eledia said.

The former seafarer used these episodes to give back his blessings. He recalled how family and friends helped him bridge his skills from electro-technical to marine electricity and teaching electrical technology from a university to a maritime college.

“I would tell them that this is only a small part of the trials they would encounter as a maritime professional. I always advice my students to pursue their dreams to become a seafarer despite the challenges,” he added.

Eledia is now based in Bacolod as he continues to teach with VMA Global College and Training Centers Inc. He is happily married to Analyn Eledia and is blessed with two children.