Maritimes dreams delayed: June Calimpon’s comeback after COVID-19
June Calimpon works as the Fourth Officer/Officer of the watch on the “Guayaquil Express”. On a voyage from Hamburg to Antwerp, he talks about his return to Hapag-Lloyd after a three-year break due to COVID, shares insights into safety procedures on board, and discusses his aspirations for the future.
At precisely 4 p.m. in the German Bight off the East Frisian Islands, the crew of the “Guayaquil Express” is crowding around the lifeboats on the B deck for a training session on safety. Every member of the crew – from trainees to the chief officer – is there. And they must be there, too, because everyone should know in their sleep how to safely get off the vessel using small lifeboats in the case of an emergency. As Officer of the watch (OOW), June Calimpon has to perform watch duty from 8 a.m. to noon and then from 8 p.m. until midnight. But, as deputy of the first officer, he also helps to run the safety training courses. “Today is more of a dry run, as we won’t do the real-time exercise with the davit-type free-fall lifeboats until next week,” the 26-year-old says clears up. “Today, I’ll be explaining the whole process of launching a lifeboat, from operating the cranks to boarding the lifeboat safely.” With a laugh he adds, “If you’re curious, you can also take a look inside – it’s pretty tight!”
Vessels of all sizes
Calimpon was born and raised on Siquijor, a small island in the Philippines, and is proud of his career. He was drawn to seafaring at an early age, he notes, saying: “I’ve loved vessels since I was a kid and I always dreamed about travelling far away from with them. Fortunately, growing up on an island, we had plenty of opportunities to take speedboat trips to other islands. Now, I’ve taken that passion to a whole new level, travelling from one continent to the other – not as a passenger, but as a crew member on massive vessels.”
After high school, Calimpon moved to the lively metropolis of Cebu City to study nautical science, which was made possible by a scholarship. He spent three years learning navigation and other maritime operations as part of a cadet programme of an international crew management company. “I cut my teeth in the maritime industry on a bulk carrier, and then I got my first opportunity to work at Hapag-Lloyd,” he says. “I spent seven months learning the ropes on the ‘Kuala Lumpur Express’. We had a very good training officer!”
And then the pandemic arrived
In 2019, with his certificate in hand, Calimpon signed on for eight months on the old “Hamburg Express”, now known as the “Dortmund Express”. But, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought his career to a standstill. “I was one of the unlucky ones who had just signed off,” he says. “Nothing worked like normal during this time. Those who were on board stayed on board, and those who were ashore couldn’t get on a vessel. Some certificates were delayed, and trainings were expensive.”
Looking back, Calimpon says: “Those three years felt like an eternity. I relied on my family for support during that uncertain time. The pandemic cast a shadow over everything, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get back to sea.”
In October 2023, as the pandemic eased, Calimpon received an offer to return to sea. “They offered me another contract as fourth officer on the ‘Dortmund Express’. A promotion? A dream comes true!” he says. “I was given a whole 18 days to get back on my feet again.”
Calimpon is excited to apply what he learned during his past vessel deployments on board the “Guayaquil Express”. On this voyage, he has called at European ports for the first time, including London, Rotterdam, and Hamburg. “Even though I didn’t have time to visit the cities, I’m determined to do so on my next trip,” he says.
When dreams set sail
And what else excites him about seafaring? Calimpon makes no secret of the fact that the good wage at Hapag-Lloyd plays a central role for him. “Knowing that I can support my parents with their medicals needs is incredibly rewarding,” he explains. “But my day-to-day work on this vessel is equally fulfilling. Whether it’s interacting with the crew or standing watch, there’s always something going on.” Calimpon also appreciates Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to high standards and the management team’s open style of communication. “Joining a new vessel can be daunting,” he says. “But, here at Hapag-Lloyd, I’ve found that everyone is always willing to help. No matter what question I have, I can ask anyone without feeling judged. I always dreamed about working in a place like this.”
And what about his plans for the future? “Now I dream bigger! I definitely want to become a captain or pilot one day,” he says. “I’ve gained valuable international experience, but I’m also interested in exploring opportunities closer to home.” He also said that he could see himself mentoring someone like his 24-year-old crewmate, Cadet Marvin Demancillo, who happened to just arrive on the bridge. Smiling, Calimpon adds that he can see in Marvin a bit of himself during his early days. “I’m trying to support and guide him in his work,” he says, adding: “I can easily imagine him being promoted in his next vessel deployment.”
For now, Calimpon has a few more months aboard the “Guayaquil Express.” Even so, his thoughts are already drifting to home. He keeps in touch with his family daily, sharing updates and counting down the days. During his last vacation, he explored northern Vietnam, a trip he’s eager to repeat – this time in the summer. “I’d love to visit Sa Pa and Hanoi again, with clear blue skies as a backdrop,” he says. “And the food was unforgettable – banh mi sandwiches, pho and more. Though, we Filipinos eat a lot more rice!”
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