"When will we go home?"

This is the voice of officer at MAERSK STEPNICA, Gustaf Lunstrom, also known as Officer Hugo:

The one, nagging question, more relevant than just about anything else right now among my dear crew on Maersk Stepnica:

When will we go home?

Seafarers already had to endure a lot while keeping up the vital supply chains of the World. Safe, but stuck and fighting through these anxious times of uncertainty. Day by day.In fact, valid all across the maritime industry, the suspension of crew change has still proven valid for many nations. That is probably the worst part of our life on board right now. Not knowing what the future will hold. The apparent concerns for our loved ones back home. We just want to be with them now.

The constant uncertainty. The frustration. The puzzle of trying to come up with encouraging things to say to my colleagues on board. Just to try and make the days somewhat easier for everybody.
Still present and brewing among us, the tension of not knowing when we can finally come home. I feel it all the time now. Though suppressing it the best I can to remain focused on my job. Because I have to. We all do, in order for it to work.
If not for ourselves but for the company and for our families back home.

Personally, I know people who fight constantly at home, to make a difference and some struggle hard to keep their jobs at all in these difficult times. A few are even battling this terrible virus themselves. My thoughts go out to them. Everyday. More than they know. That is also where I would like to be right now. More than anything. To support and give comfort in these hard times.
After all, I still hope for something positive to come out from this mess.

When you think of someone who is doing an extra effort for all of us these days, please, remember the seafarers also. They deserve recognition.
On Maersk Stepnica, we are still well and safe. The majority has still not been able to go home and the uncertainty is constantly present for many crew across the fleet.

But we still carry on. For as long as it takes.