A Brief Moment in Melbourne

The warmth of the Tuesday afternoon was just setting in, skies blue and the sea was calm and undisturbed. We were all fast at Holden Dock, Melbourne, Australia waiting for the commencement of cargo transfer. Every seafarer can’t help but wonder to themselves in such a time as to whether shore leave would be permitted, or, more importantly, would they find anything worth their time…

Sacrificing their sleep. But fortunately for me, both of the above was a ‘yes’. I changed into my outdoor clothes as fast as I could, and before you knew it, I was at the gangway signing the logbook for my exit. The seafarers’ mission shuttle dropped us off to the city, and we were off on foot to explore a new city, a new milestone.

The city was majestic and busy, unique yet diverse, quite a lot like home, Mumbai. All the pedestrians would greet you with a smile, no matter what. Once we got to the heart of Melbourne, after shopping for supplies, I was off to visit the local tourist attractions and grab a bite on the way. On my way back, by the river, the smell of freshly brewed coffee swept me off my feet- so much so that I also started longing for one.

There was a cafe three minutes north of my location- for which I didn’t really need the maps, the aroma of the coffee was enough to guide me to an outdoor table of the cafe. Seated, by the riverside, waiting for my coffee and hot cross bun, I took the opportunity to look around. The streets were as busy as it gets, but the diversity ricocheted from every structure around the city of Melbourne. The sight of children running around by the river, elderlies walking on the trail by the river, tourists snapping memories on their cameras, was truly mesmerising; amid all of these, was seated a seafarer, waiting for his coffee realising how important it is for us to witness a change in environment from constant deadlines and PMS jobs to a beautiful and welcoming city. While I enjoyed my iced coffee, the shops turned on their lights, welcoming the night. The crowd started retiring to their homes, to a point where there was a discernible difference between the two times of day.

A city with so much enthusiasm in the day, was reduced to peace and quiet in the night. And, more than anything, that was an indication for me to proceed back to my vessel. My time outdoors in the city was impeccable while it lasted, but it was time to head back. I thought to myself, maybe this is why young men join this profession, not knowing that a long night of cargo transfer operation awaits them back on board.

But at least with every new city, they have a new story to tell.

– Pratinav Deb, DC, MARI BOYLE