The adventures

text Pekka Karppanen photos Pekka Karppanen, Edmer Florino

Finnish Seamen´s Service visited M/S Prima Viking, which had just made its way from Immingham to the frozen port of Kotka. The ship’s cook had some time to chat about his journey while exchanging DVDs and waiting for provisions.

ook Edmer Florino lives in Iloilo City in the Philippines with his wife and son. He has been working under the Finnish flag for a little over five months now. M/S Prima Viking’s motorman, an old acquaintance, told Ed- C mer about the job opening and Edmer was hired via a crewing agency. For Edmer, winter navigation is neither a strange nor an unpleasant experience. – It’s not my first time sailing in winter. I’ve worked on tankers and container ships before and I’m used to international crews, Edmer explained. He has worked in the maritime industry for around five years now, ever since finishing his studies. In the Philippines, Edmer studied Hotel and Restaurant Technology at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISaTU), which does not exactly prepare one for a career in the maritime sector. – Supporting a family became expensive, and I was lucky enough to find a job in Iran, where I worked on an offshore accommodation ship. There I obtained my ship’s cook certificate and gained experience in catering for an international crew. The Iranians, of course, did not eat pork, Edmer reminisced. Edmer started his new job as M/S Prima Viking’s cook in September after spending two weeks in covid quarantine. European food

Like many other Finnish cargo ships, M/S Prima Viking has several Filipino crew members: Edmer and three others. Their eating habits are slightly different from their Finnish colleagues. Usually Edmer prepares two different dishes, but often the Filipino crew members decide to eat European food with the others.

– I find recipes in cookbooks and on the internet, which I can access on my laptop. Almost from the very first day I’ve been aware that Thursdays are pea soup days on Finnish ships, and apparently also on Swedish vessels, Edmer said.

Edmer plans the menus and orders supplies himself. The other day he caught some fish and smoked his catch in the ship’s electric smoker. He does some baking onboard as well.

Edmer told us that Filipino seafarers like to roast an entire pig on the ship’s barbecue. He designed a rotating roast spit and welded it into the large barbecue on the aft deck. Whole pigs are readily available these days in ship food supply stores. Video calls with family

Edmer considers a good internet connection to be crucial for onboard well-being. M/S Prima Viking has a constant wireless connection, and Edmer has also considered using prepaid SIM cards. – Keeping in touch with my wife and six-year-old son is extremely important for coping with work and avoiding stress. I enjoy working long shifts. Travelling is not as easy anyway, what with covid quarantines and other restrictions, Edmer reflected.

Edmer says that M/S Prima Viking has a nice crew and positive atmosphere. He would be happy to work a little longer, then take a vacation and return to this ship or one of Prima Shipping’s other vessels. ☸