Filipino seafarers have been a considerable part of the economy of the Philippines through their remarkable dollar remittances. This is due in part by the immense number of manning agencies that support both local and international shipping companies which in turn contributes to the development and growth of the maritime industry in the country. However, nowadays, the maritime industry in the Philippines is experiencing difficulties, particularly for the Filipino seafarers. One of which is the challenge of waiting for onboard deployment. The study therefore aims to explore the challenges encountered by Filipino seafarers awaiting deployment, and encompassing factors such as backer system, impact of Covid-19, and financial constraints. Alongside are their respective coping mechanisms employed. Utilizing a sample of one hundred (N=100) Filipino seafarers in Kalaw Avenue, Manila, data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and deployed via Google Forms. Findings indicate that backer system and the COVID-19 pandemic are the predominant challenges experienced by the respondents while waiting for deployment. Additionally, educational qualifications, financial expenditures, and other challenges exhibit a significant relationship with coping strategies. This suggests that Filipino seafarers encounter a spectrum of challenges during deployment, and coping strategies are selectively applied to manage and surmount these obstacles.

Keywords: deployment challenges, coping strategies, Filipino seafarers, backer system, Covid-19, financial constraints