Whale Spirit

In just several years, it feels like my career path was on a rocket heading to Mars. I guess all this is because i was too focused on building my career and wanted to prove the world that i am here, i am a fast learner and i got skills. Because of what I've experienced, i am a firm believer that with grit and real actions, comes result.

Scribbling on a paper, trying to figure out a solution to a problem was one of my daily tasks. Its only been a month since i started working here as the Head of Sales and Marketing at a Marine Related Tourism Company. I got headhunted for this task, as matter of fact, when i got back from the UK a few years ago, this is the first place i was hired as a Tourist Guide. It's a different story now, The only good thing about being here again is that my former colleague knows my work ethics and what to expect. They know that i will fucking deliver and i expect the same from those that work with me.

When there is time for fun, I love goofing around with everyone in the company. Making jokes, doing pranks and sharing knowledge. Even though my workload was more on sales and marketing, being part of the operations in the past, i would hang around with my former colleague continue bonding and engaging them as i believe they are the mechanics that get my marketing plans flowing. I wanted them to understand the bigger picture so they know they are valued and are honoured to be working toward achieving the bigger common goal.

A Day With A Whale

I recalled, in the moment of searching for solutions in what i have scribbled on. A colleague hands over the walkie-talkie and said the operation desk is looking me. While the conversation was vague i remembered telling the person on the other side to prepare a boat and get everyone else on standby as i will be on the pier in 5 minutes.

When i got to the pier, i saw everyone was talking loudly and some was showing photos as if they got a winning lottery ticket. The Head of Marine Operation did a brief and off we went to check out what is happening.

From a distance on the boat ride, i saw a gathering of smaller boats and people.

When our boat reach to where everyone is, the tide is low and you see people standing on the shallow reef, and kids playing.

But one thing you cant take your eye off was the huge Bryde whale that was stuck on the shallow reef, expose to the sun and in my thought is dying. i know that with her condition, it would be close to impossible for her to survive, what else to free herself.

Source

Her weight itself is crushing her organs, the timing was off, it so far from high tide, the sun felt like we are in the microwave and her exposed skin is drying her up rapidly.

So, as i look around to see who was in charge and i notice a small group of people talking. One of the Park Ranger whom were a friend of mine climb over by boat and told what is happening.

I find it hilarious those officers from various authority that were there were pushing each other to be responsible. I recall someone said, i am with the fisheries department, this is a mammal, let the Wildlife Department handle this. Then someone said, that the wildlife department told them they do not have resources to handle marine mammals and ask Sabah Marine Park to deal with it, but then my friend who was with the marine park said that the mammal is out of the park boundaries, we have no jurisdiction.

After hearing all that, all i said. Those are stupid excuses and told my friend to get all the officer on my boat and get this done together. I then borrowed his whistle and shouted to the kids that were riding on top of the whale as if it was a playground to get out area or i feed them to the whale.

It was either the kids notice the Park Ranger Badge that comes together with my friends whistle that i borrowed and thought that i with the government or thinks that i am serious at feeding them to the whale. Until today, i dont know the answer.

Anyway, when the other officers from various authority came onboard, i quickly devise a plan. But before i share my plans, i ask for theirs. None of them had any. I guess out of the chaos, they were searching for a leadership or someone to put the blame on if everything goes sour. Whatever the reason, my conscious was telling me, to leave her to die while knowing that i can do something is something i cant live with.

I started listing down things that i need, anything that i think i would like to test out to get that whale off the reef, 3 huge water pump, tugboat, ropes, huge canvas, manpower, buckets marines mammal experts, supporting escort boats. etc.

I then ask them to look at the list and tell me what they can provide and share the responsibilities.

Over time, i notice more and more people start coming, reporters, NGO's, marine police. etc. But we kept pressing on. While waiting for other things that are on our list, we do what we can we what is available at hand to help the whale. Slowly one by one, things starting coming in, we start spraying the body of the whale using sea water as the water pump then available, shooting sea water to the air to cool off the area and more importantly to bring the temperature down in-situ and most importantly to ensure that the whale gets comfortable and don't move around too move or else she hurt herself more as the reef cuts her.

Taking Turns Spraying Sea Water, in My Boxer

Source

I recall until today, there was a moment of peace. everything was much quiet, some village people left, just the operational guys, marine police were guarding the area leaving us at work. I also took time touching her head and tell her, everything will get better, just hang on.

As it gets close to 5.30pm, the tide is up, we notice that she starts moving around again. At that particular time, someone managed to get a tugboat to help us out. By then, my colleague whom was the head of marine operation just done with his brilliant rope works. i instructed him to stay with the whale while i coordinate everything from the tugs boat on a walkie-talkie as we had only one chance to get it right.

When the perfect moment came and as sunset is near ending. Everyone was waiting for me to give cue, then I spot it. This was it. everything was in sequence as if it was hands of gods putting strength get it all right. We saw free, making all sort of sound we hope was a thank you and saw her dive with her tail over the colours of the sunset.

Everyone was cheering, happy it was a success and congratulate each other. It was the first attempt of Marine Mammal rescue of such magnitude done in sabah. There was no speech, there was not press interview, but i learn that everyone took the credit but it doesn't matter at it required everyone help to get things done. When i am asked about it, i said it was a collective Sabahan effort

At the tugboat with me is an unknown white caucasian looking guy, jumping for joy as he watches and got the day event all on his camera. I thought he was with the foreign press. As i was about to leave the scene and get on my boat. He chased after me and stop me from leaving to ask some question.

He asked for my name and how which government agency i am working with. I laugh it off, i though the question was funny, ask my colleague to get my trousers (i was on my boxer the whole day during the operation, lol) and hand me my wallet, pass him my business card and watch he his face in surprise. Then he said, why don't you join us? i smile, laugh it off and not bothered to ask further as i was exhausted. Nevertheless, his surprise face is an epic moment. That was good enough. LOL .

So the press coverage on the whale story was huge, i was called on by few journalist too but i put the credit to the company as i thought this is a good PR story for the company that i work with as they unknowingly paid me to play with a whale for a day.

Perhaps because of the good PR on papers for the company, I've got my Sales and Marketing team on high gear, from average 400K sales a month, the sales grew to over 750K a month after the 6th month being there.

A week later, i received a call from that caucasian guy wanting to meet up. I went over to see him, still thinking he is a foreign press. Only to learn that he works for WWF and want me to get onboard and lead a marine project.

8 months after my encounter with the Bryde whale, i was based at Semporna Priority Conservation area of Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion heading a Conservation Project.

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So here is the moral of the story.

My dad used to tell me that whatever i do, i must do my best, give my all, or don't do it all. It is also important not to expect anything in return. If it's my time to get a favour from above, the return will be 10 folds.

I learn that if you have that sort of thinking to live by, you will always be surprised at how giving life truly is.

Just like in steemit, i know that at times we get frustrated with how much little the upvote is, but if we think of it like how my dad has advised. We then do our best in our writing, improving as much as we can on daily basis, study how other people do it and just never give up.

I believe that one-day, The True, Genuine Whale Spirit in Steemit will notice your post give you the reward you truly deserve. The day will come, just perservere. You can do it. I know you can.

Steem On.