Moldovan sailor's journey: 50 countries, storms and calm seas
When he is out at sea, Alexandru Coarnă, a maritime officer, is always captivated by the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, as well as the sight of dolphins and whales leaping through the water. He also finds the tornadoes during storms to be spectacular, having captured their beauty in several photographs. Despite the inherent risks and the time he spends away from shore, Coarnă believes that being a sailor has its unique charm.
"Summer is much quieter; winter can be a bit messy," Alexandru Coarnă shares, reflecting on his experiences at sea throughout the seasons. He describes spring and autumn as times when storms frequently occur.
In a conversation with journalist Daniela Gherman from Radio Moldova, he mentioned that he has also encountered calm seas without a single breeze, although such moments are rare.
Throughout his career as a sailor, Alexandru has faced storms with towering waves exceeding 10 meters. During these instances, the ship can become almost completely submerged. To mitigate risks during storms, the vessel must be well-prepared.
"Everything on board must be secured, as items can be lost overboard or damaged, which could potentially injure crew members," he explained to Radio Moldova.
Currently, Alexandru is sailing on an oil tanker. He has completed over 10 voyages, each lasting six months, during which he has visited around 50 countries, amassing extensive navigation experience.
He noted that his ship's crew consists of 18 members, although crew size can vary depending on the type of vessel. For example, cruise ships often have hundreds of crew members.
On a seagoing ship, responsibilities are divided into two broad categories: deck functions, which include navigation, and machine or technical functions, along with other auxiliary roles, such as medical personnel. The commander is ultimately responsible for everything onboard, including the ship, its cargo, and the crew.
"At the helm is the commander, followed by the captain and two officers. Then there is the engine department, which includes the chief engineer-mechanic, the crew chief, helmsmen, sailors, pumpman, motorman, cook, and cadet," Alexandru listed.
According to him, emotional balance is essential for sailors, and relaxation is facilitated by having a gym onboard. Crew members can also enjoy playing backgammon, chess, or fishing during their downtime.
Thanks to his profession, Alexandru has visited approximately 50 countries. On his first mission, he travelled to South Africa, India, Singapore, Mozambique, and Thailand. Subsequent voyages took him to Mexico, Morocco, Israel, and many others, but he was particularly captivated by South Africa, known for its vast beach, large waves, and numerous surfers. There, he also visited an aquatic park, where he had the opportunity to dive with sharks and observe a diverse array of fish in the aquarium.
Soon, Alexandru Coarnă will set sail for West Africa, an area known for a high risk of piracy. Despite the dangers and the time spent away from shore, he expressed to Radio Moldova that the profession of sailing has its appeal, and he is determined to pursue it with dedication.
Author: Valeria Cîrjeu, intern
