The Life at Sea 2024 photography awards: a rare glimpse into the highs and lows of seafaring

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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. This year, Seascape’s picture editor, Joe Plimmer, was on the judging panel and has collated some of his favourite shots

Main image: Highly commended: Embracing the Beauty of Our Ship From a Different Perspective, Go Gia, Vietnam. Photograph: Malcom Resolme Serrano

  • 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
    Two men wearing head torches and oil stained overalls lie against the hold of a ship

  • 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
    Two ship’s bows seen from above being cleaned

  • Special mention: Allegory of the Cave, Newcastle, Australia, by Rommel Nambayan

    I 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
    A man in orange overalls stands in large shafts on light falling into a black ship’s hold

  • Second prize: Ships in Clouds, Gulf of Mexico, by Waseem Abbas (Pakistan)

    A vessel in dense fog looks like it is flying in clouds
    Top points of a ship are just visible above a thick bank of fog below blue sky

  • Highly commended: A Three Man Job, the Alboran Sea, by Jairus Jan Ricafranca (Philippines)

    This was me, my bosun and other AB (able seaman), doing maintenance duties. It was calm weather, so our chief mate decided to paint the bulbous bow. It was a hard and dangerous job but nothing beats teamwork, so it was easily finished in one day
    Aerial view of a man wearing orange overalls standing on the orange bolbous bow of a ship in the sea and painting it. Two other people in orange overalls sit on suspended planks painting the sides

  • Highly commended: Barbershop Onboard, Houston, US by Dwi kartini (Indonesia)

    This is called being multitalented – whatever rank we are on board, we can do all the work pictured here. I am an engine cadet and became a barber for my ETO (electro-technical officer) here, with assistance from the second and third engineers
    A woman cuts a man’s hair in a room on a ship while two colleagues look on

  • Highly commended: Embracing the Beauty of Our Ship From a Different Perspective, Go Gia, Vietnam by Malcom Resolme Serrano

    I took this photo using my drone while ship was discharging in Go Gia, Vietnam. I was amazed to see things from a different angle, with this view of the forecastle from above with me lying on the ground. Now I see the beauty of our ship from different perspective
    A view of the forecastle of a ship from above with a person lying in a star shape on a green deck.

  • Highly commended: Life of a Seafarer Behind the Scenes, Kamsar, Guinea, by Mark Joseph Bureros (Philippines)

    The chief officer briefly checks the proper distribution of bauxite cargo
    A man in blue overalls stands on a ladder to inspect bauxite being poured into a cargo ship

  • Highly commended: The Dream is Within Reach, Navotas Port, Philippines, by John Prieto

    Taken during the arrangement of the anchor chain in the chain locker
    A man stands in an enclosed space in a shaft of sunlight coming through a hole, through which he is guiding a thick chain

  • Special mention: SpaceX Satellite Launch, Rosarito, Mexico, by Nitin Singh

    A mesmerising view captured while the vessel was at Rosarito Anchorage and we witnessed the SpaceX satellite launch
    A satellite creates a bright trail of light at dusk as it launches over the sea. A ship’s bow is in the foreground
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