The Seafaring Brothers

With annual salaries starting in excess of US$30,000 and the opportunity to travel the world, a seafaring career is an attractive option for many young people.

Dreaming of buying a home of their own and seeing the world, 30-year-old Su Bo-qiao and his young brother 28-year-old Su Yong-ming have embarked on just such a life, wandering the high seas for ten months a year.

In this episode, we discover what kind of mental fortitude it takes to be the spouse of a seafarer; how seafarers' families deal with the pain of being apart from their loved ones; and what unusual daily necessities seafarers put under their pillow as a sleeping aid.

Host

Su Yong-ming: I used to work at the port. I heard seafarers earn great money. I dream of buying my own house. And I can travel the world.

Su Bo-qiao: When on night shift the ship's crew is asleep and I'm the only one on the navigation bridge. I feel lonely at such times. Really lonely.

Wei Ya-chi: I'm desperate to have kids. But my menstrual cycle is irregular. And he doesn't come home often. He comes home for 3-4 months each time. The nurse said to me"You've got no chance."

Guest

Chen Tzu-hao:After starting work I realized the importance of family. Because in my college days I was always out with friends and didn't go home. Or my parents would tell me to come for dinner and I'd say no. But, later, I discovered that your family is your only real solid base of support. When you can't find friends and have nowhere to go your family is always there for you.