WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
Choose language:
MUWN- In the past, the Montenegrin maritime economy was highly developed, and Montenegrin sailors mostly sailed on several dozen ships managed by maritime companies from Bar and Kotor. With the disintegration of the former homeland, there was also a collapse of the maritime economy, and due to the sanctions, Montenegro was without almost all of its ships. A few years ago, with the purchase of four new ships, the maritime economy in our homeland began to revive. however, there was no room for all our sailors on those ships. Mr. Sinanović, what was it like in that golden age of Montenegrin shipping and how far are we today from the situation being similar to that time?
VS- First of all, I am glad that you chose me as an interlocutor, I would like to thank you and greet all your readers. I agree with your statement, and few people know that Preoceanic Plovidba Bar mogland saved all the ships if only one telegram "arrived on time". Anyway, we came out of the sanctions with, if I remember correctly, 12 ships and one "tied" one, i.e. Sv. Stefan as we called him the Old Saint, whose fate was discussed. Kotorska kept 4, if I'm not mistaken? Should I return to Preoceanska with 12 ships which should be a solid even more excellent fleet. I corrected myself, the age of the ships was not in question. But the main problem was that the ships were sitting at anchorages all over the world for a long time and so, to put it bluntly, they rotted. All of them had to undergo serious general overhauls of machines and on-board devices. I don't know if there was any patience for that. What is even more difficult to do for each company is the personnel who have already started sailing on foreign companies or most of them, the best ones for sure. is golden. Preokoceanska developed as a company, the fleet was enlarged, the staff was obtained from its educated system, the housing policy was divided into credit arrangements for the construction of houses with minimal interest if there were any, the allocation of salaries in the municipality of Bar, and the allocation of housing units from own construction of buildings... and then everything stopped. You ask me how far we are from that situation today? I think we are light years away. First of all, I don't know if this is even realistic and how they would behave on the world maritime scene. If I remember how some companies of the recent era passed without sanctions, I mean Montenegro Airlines, then I am a pessimist.
MUWN- How appreciated were Montenegrin sailors in the world, and what is the situation today?
VS - Montenegrin sailors have always been respected, both then and now, because they came from the Yugoslav way of education where you could not be a commander or manager without a degree, so 32 exams summarized in 2 years of lectures and a minimum of 3 to 4 completions, and within the deadline .Let me not forget the examinations in the Port Captains for various professions in the seafaring. Today, the global maritime industry does not ask for it and you can pass everything with fast courses, why our seafarers mostly take it, I'm sorry for that. Then compare it yourself.
MUWN- How do Montenegrin sailors find work today and what kind of companies do they mostly work for?
VS- Today, work is obtained through the so-called Agents, agencies for boarding seafarers, which is again in a way a request of the maritime industry. The companies where our seafarers are employed range from excellent to those with a lower reputation. I have to admit that the Croats overtook us in this a long time ago, and maybe even Serbia, i.e. Belgrade, sounds strange. More and more people hear how someone came, ie found a job, especially on cruise ships via Belgrade.
MUWN- What are the biggest challenges facing seafarers today?
VS - Well, the biggest challenge for young people, for example, is finding a job. No one wants to hire an intern, everyone wants a finished product, without education, training and everything else that needs to be invested in staff. Again, the maritime industry has done something that I don't like, and it stems from the uneducated staff, and it makes it difficult when looking for a job. transoceanic has had everything from tankers to passenger ships, so you gain experience and carry your knowledge from school.
MUWN- To what extent and does the state take care of the maritime economy and the interests of Montenegrin seafarers?
VS- No. For her, we do not exist in the sense you ask. I think they are thinking more about how to force us to pay profit tax than anything else.
MUWN- In what way are the sailors organized and did they have an active association?
VS- There is an association of Captains, then Engineers, and as far as I've heard, some trade unions more recently. I'm not really familiar with their work, so I'd better refrain from commenting.
MUWN- For which companies have you sailed so far, and for which company do you currently work?
VS- I would single out this last period for myself, a little over 20 years of sailing in the company Ernst Jacob from Germany, as well as the never-forgotten Transoceanic Sailing Bar.
MUWN- How lucrative is it to be a sailor today and yes Is it your recommendation for young people to pursue this profession?
VS- Well, it's not very profitable if you pay everything you should, for example pension payments, educate yourself, and in addition, in general, most of them divide that salary by 2, because when they are home there is no income. I would single out the Captains, Managers and First Officers of the Deck and Engine, but that's what you become after 15 years of patient work.
MUWN- How different is the seaman's job today from when you started your career?
VS- In particular, my position as Captain of a Ship has experienced a big change in the way of fast communication, and so have other professions... less has changed for lower crew members except for these social networks and constant contact with family.
MUWN- Once upon a time, the Maritime Faculty in Kotor was recognized and known around the world for the high-quality staff it trained. Does it still have such a reputation today?
VS- I think they kept the criteria, but things are not there as they used to be. Unfortunately, with the change of the program, the "old school" is being forgotten.
Author - M.Jahović
