The Life at Sea 2024 photography awards
From The Guardian “SEASCAPE” series, which draws attention to the dramatic changes taking place in our oceans, and the innovations under way to tackle them.
The lives of seafarers are rarely documented, as working at sea by its very nature can be a lonely and isolating existence. The seafarers’ photography competition, run by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, offers a glimpse into a largely unseen world; the hard labour, the camaraderie, the magnitude of the structures that stand as workplaces, and even the occasional beauty of working on ships. The annual competition, which started during the pandemic, tracks the consistent issues faced by seafarers and captures key moments and their unique impact on those working at sea.
First prize: Echoing Sigh-lence of Relief Inside Cargo Hold, Muara Jawa, Indonesia, by Jericho P Mifania (Philippines)
“I captured this photo at downtime after a hectic schedule of cleaning cargo holds. My shipmates, leaning against the cold steel of the hold, are a tableau of weary resilience. The sea may seem majestically infinite, but our sights are often confined to these walls, enduring the waves of fatigue, gnawing loneliness, and constant pressure to deliver. It is in moments like this that we realise we are bound together by a shared sigh of relief echoing the unspoken battles we keep”
Third prize: Blasting Bows: Shipyard Renewal in Action, Zhoushan, China, by Kenji F Rabie (Philippines)
This image captures the intense process of water blasting at a shipyard, where the bows of two ships are meticulously cleaned by a dedicated shore gang. The powerful jets of water strip away layers of old paint and marine growth, revealing the strong steel beneath. It captures the blend of strength and expertise that defines shipyard work and is a testament to the commitment to keeping the world’s fleets in top condition, ready to face the challenges of the ocean
Special mention: Allegory of the Cave, Newcastle, Australia, by Rommel Nambayan
noticed the light beaming into the hold in contrast with the lack of light within the space; the cargo hold is captured at an angle so it resembles a cave; the seafarer with his orange overalls represents the role of a prisoner. Having these three elements, one can debate that this is a modern take of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. It undeniably paints the horror that seafarers face. Many cling to the proposed reality that seafaring is all about going places, higher pay grades, endless sunsets, and rags to riches stories but that is only a fragment of the truth; the truth is that they often feel trapped in a piece of floating metal – moving, yet with nowhere to go