Seafarers' Perception on Maritime English Utilization on Board

Seafarers working in international vessels come from different countries and backgrounds, and it is essential to have a common language that everyone on board a vessel can understand and communicate in by having specific terms to follow. Maritime English can eliminate confusion that would come up if typical words and terms that are used daily on board were to be spoken. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the Seafarers’ perception of maritime English utilization on board. The study utilized a comparative method of research design. The respondents of the study were Filipino seafarers from Cebu City and Cebu Provinces who were employed in the maritime industry, particularly in international vessels for at least two years. There were one hundred thirty (130) participants who voluntarily participated in the study. The researchers used a validated researcher-made instrument with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.910. Based on the result, the study revealed that high rank seafarers both from the deck and engine department have a high level of perception that utilizing Maritime English onboard will help them avoid ambiguous meanings during communication. Though the low-rank deck and engine department participants’ perceptions were different and varied, they still have a very high level of perception that Maritime English helps them communicate with others to avoid accidents, understand information and messages concerning the ship’s safety and operation, and understand the order being delivered.