How do families cope in the navy? Check out a true life account of a couple.
Life on PNS Shamsheer (FFG-252) frigate on the whole is dissimilar to our everyday lives. For various days, only waves are visible, as far as the eye can see. Occasionally, some seafarers are noticeable or dolphins breaching along the ship. The crew is like our family, and the ship is our home. The beauty at the sea is indescribable.
Flocks of migratory birds above and shoal of fish splashing beneath is a remarkable part of this world. The sunsets and sunrises are a sight to behold! One can spend hours staring at the horizon, gazing at the sea and sky hem into a beautiful line of silver. Nights are pitch dark, yet tremendously peaceful. It is the only place, where you can observe the double moon, bountiful stars and glorious galaxies at their fullest. The glimmering bioluminescence produced by the living organisms due to chemical reactions at sea are perhaps the most outstanding aspect.
However, with all that beauty, uncountable difficulties and challenges are to be tackled by the defenders of the sea frontiers. Our routines are strenuous, and bodies rest and reenergize in static conditions. Sea sickness, severe headaches and nausea are a norm, depending on the state of the sea. With the passage of time, sailors gradually adapt to the environment and are able to cope with it. Those unable to carry out their duties due to such reasons are then transferred to land duties.
During storms, the sea gets choppy causing the ship to bob vigorously. The forecastle, which is the forward part of the upper deck of a ship, sinks in the sea with every tide resulting in water splashing onto the bridge (a room or platform of a ship from which it can be commanded) and heavy roll and pitch. Furthermore, loosing fellow seamen is highly tragic.
Previously we had no contact with the outside world, but with the development of satellites, we are able to get in touch with our families. Nonetheless, it is pretty costly! Ships closer to land tend to get enough TV signals to be able to watch and gain updates of cricket matches.
At night, intentionally the warship is kept dark, so it is not visible to others. This is a daily routine carried out. Just before the sun sets, all lights are switched off and only red lights emanating from port holes (ship’s windows) are switched on, as these are not visible from far off.
When the boat rocks at home – the perspective of a wife of a naval officer
In the beginning, I never felt differently about him, nor did I feel proud about it. It used to be frustrating at times, and I used to feel tense every single time he would step out. However, after I completed my Quran course, I realized the importance of his duty and how privileged I was. I came across the following Hadeeth: Ibn Abbas (rtam) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “Two eyes will not be touched by the fire: an eye, which has wept out of fear of Allah (swt), and an eye, which has spent the night guarding in the cause of Allah (swt).” After reading it, my eyes were full with tears of joy. My husband’s eyes are ones that do not sleep at night, and I pray Allah (swt) rewards him greatly for his duties and efforts.
He has long hours of duty. He could be called in the middle of the night, or as soon as he returned home. Our plans as a family are unpredictable. We are always prepared for a cancellation of any programme in the nick of time. Over the course of time, I have become used to his postings to distant places as well. I understand I have to be the commander of the house, so he can serve with the peace of his mind. I now speak more responsibly, being cautious about random opinions and things I post on social media, as I know I am a wife of a naval officer representing a whole community.
One of the most unforgettable experiences was the PNS Mehran attack. My husband had to be there in the evening, but due to some reasons, he had to first drop us home. As we reached our residence, we heard blasts and saw thick smoke rising in the air. That night was terrible. My husband’s colleagues were on the frontline battling the subversives. Relief only came with the news of the killing of the terrorists. I had never seen my husband cry, but he had tears in his eyes, when he saw his aircraft burn so badly. Subsequent to the incident, the long inquiry calls and media reporting had further made the situation difficult. Alhamdulillah, we came over it as a family, resulting in a closer bond.
Interview by Amal Hanif – Student and freelance writer
About author
