Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila) Inc. celebrated the retirement of 24 seafarers that have served the group for more than two decades as a testament to 40 years of strong ties between Germany-based shipping giant Döhle Group and Filipino seafarers.
“This celebration is symbolic not only to the retirees but also to our long partnership with our parent company –their unending trust, loyalty to our shore and sea-based partners and the continuous employment they bring to our maritime community,” said Döhle Seafront president Iris Baguilat.
Ten retirees and their families attended the ceremony on Oct. 28, 2022 at The Galley, 2/F Döhle Haus Manila in Makati City. They included Oiler Danilo Antonio (20 Years), Bosun Jaime Bragat (20), Oiler Romeo Escritor (22), Bosun Cirilo Briana (22), Fitter Vivencio Manalo (22), Oiler Ricardo Bolo Jr (22), Chief Cook Dante Ligo (22), Bosun Rolie Diopenes (23), Able-body Seaman Rudy Murillo (24) and Oiler Romeo Patano (25).
The company said while several crew members took early retirement in 2019 because of the pandemic, all had a fulfilling life and tenure as Döhle seafarers and were expressively grateful for the opportunity to work with the group that gave them stable employment and allowed them to provide for their families, send their children to school, invest in properties and, to some, explore and establish business ventures.
Among them is retired chief cook Dante Ligo who joined the Döhle fleet in 1996 as an able body seaman. After several contracts and as pre-employment medical examinations tightened, he was found color blind and unfit to continue his work at sea which included navigational watch. On this down point, Ligo did not lose hope and decided to apply and restart his career at sea as a mess man. He eventually got his medical clearance and continued working with Döhle.
After seven contracts, intending to progress his career, he wrote a letter to the Döhle Group in Germany asking for a chance to be promoted into chief cook, to which they responded favorably.
As a new chief cook back then, Ligo shares that he would regularly bring volumes of cookbooks and self-studied recipes to his crewmate’s liking. Fourteen years later, he happily and with a chin held high retired as an excellent chief cook.
Another retiree, Oiler Ricardo Bolo Jr., who joined the group in 1998 as an ordinary seaman, also shares his appreciation for the group.
“From the very beginning, PD has been a family to me because of the people: my crew mates, especially the Germans that I have met onboard were friendly, professional and understanding, even when I was new to the job onboard. I am always proud and thankful to be with PD. I learned the ways of life with them; my family grew, and my children graduated with PD,” he said.
The Döhle Group has been employing Filipino seafarers since 1982, starting from being a principal (shipowner) to their first local manning partner to Midocean Phils. in 1987.
Their ships then migrated to Dohle-Philman Manning Agency Inc., before finally establishing their premier Philippine manning arm Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila) Inc. in 2009.
The retirees witnessed the trust that Döhle Group has given its Filipino partners throughout the changing times.
“I am very indebted to PD. To my former crewmates who have eventually been seated in the office in Germany, I appreciate and value that they remember me and check on me until today. To our office, from Mid-Ocean to Philman to eventually Döhle Seafront where I retired, I am very much indebted to you – all the success that I have now came from you],” said retired Fitter Vivencio Manalo.
Döhle Group’s head honcho, executives and colleagues from Hamburg, Germany remotely joined the retirees at the celebration online.
Döhle Seafront board of directors Tore Henriksen, Cesar Drilon and Capt. Mayronilo Padiz also joined Baguilat during the ceremony.
The retirees who attended the event received tokens, gifts and compliments from the Döhle Group, and Döhle Seafront’s local partners BDO, Berjaya Hotel and Windsor Medical Clinic.