MARK Saladino: The boy-captain who mastered Philippine waters

The boy-captain who mastered Philippine waters
Yashika F. Torib February 10, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02/10/business/maritime-business/the-bo...

MARK Saladino clearly remembers the day he became a ship captain.

The year was 2015, three years after he started working onboard roll-on, roll-off (Roro) vessels plying the domestic trade. He was only 22. Saladino described that event as the “most remarkable” moment of his career.

Indeed, the captain’s chair signifies the summit of a seafarer’s journey. In the olden times, sailors get to be a captain after decades of pulling, steering, repairing, plotting, and navigating. The old salts, before receiving their command, have first had a taste of the oceans’ tempest to last them a lifetime.

Saladino’s summit came remarkably early, however — at an age where most newly-minted seafarers are still struggling to bag that coveted shipboard job by temporarily working as a shore-based flunky, and in a shipping trade that is opted by the few. While many have lost years eyeing and pining for an international shipping career, Saladino mastered the Philippine waters until he earned his fourth stripe at 22.

“Being the commanding officer of a vessel is the highest dream of a seafarer. It was truly remarkable when I earned it with FastCat. I may only be 22 at the time but the management took a bold step in allowing me to prove my skills,” Saladino said. The Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. (APFC), owner of FastCat provides a vital maritime link between the Philippines’ 7,641 islands and operates the country’s first and only catamaran Roro ferries that are specifically designed for Philippine water conditions.

“I was assigned to different routes all over the Philippine nautical highway. It was there that I further developed my leadership, navigation, and maneuvering skills,” he recalled.

Saladino, now 27, is a product of Dr. Carlos Lanting S. College. He joined FastCat in 2014 as an Able Bodied (AB) seaman and was part of the team that transported newly-built vessels from China to the Philippines as part of the company’s efforts to modernize the domestic shipping sector. His proficiency and dedication earned the confidence of his superiors so much so that he steadily rose from the ranks.

From AB to captain for 12 months, to being promoted as the Port Captain for Safety (Psc) after another three years and earning the position of Designated Person Ashore (DPA) immediately after, Saladino certainly shot his way beyond the typical career path of a seafarer. He was later assigned as the OIC Crewing Manager, Marine Manager, and the Company Safety and Security Officer (CSSO).

He used to command one ship at a time until he was thrust into such positions. “It was the most difficult part of the job — making decisions where the lives of people and safety of cargoes from multiple ships are at stake,” he said.

The power of higher education

While Saladino shot straight to the peak of his career at a very young age, he was determined not to descend the mountain of success just yet. He opted to reach another summit instead by taking up a master’s degree in the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA).

“The FastCat management is very supportive by giving us the opportunity for self-improvement. They take care of their people just as they expect us to take care of ours. I work hard to maintain that level of trust, it keeps me engaged and excited,” he shared.

The young master mariner has stayed on with FastCat since. Even an overseas job with a lucrative salary offer never budged the man.

“It came at the height of the pandemic. The salary was tempting but I chose to stay with FastCat. It is not every day that you get to work with people who truly care about you as a person and a professional. I value the genuine spirit of cooperation and shared goals of the company,” he reflected.

To add, Saladino’s summit was never lonely. Behind all the accomplishments is a man who prefers to lead from the front – guiding his people and making leaders out of them. His passion for domestic shipping and the maritime industry is so palpable that those who came before and after him couldn’t help but admire and emulate his ways.

Indeed, his light casts glow and guidance to those who need it, much like a lighthouse rooted strongly at the shore to guide those who are sailing yonder.