After immigrating to the United States in 1987, Romeo Itima started as a dishwasher before transitioning to driving a taxi. This job provided both financial stability for his growing family and the flexibility he needed to pursue his ultimate goal: a career in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Romeo’s maritime journey began long before he reached America. His earliest recorded voyage was on May 28, 1979, from Lagos, where he served as an Able Seaman (AB). His first voyage with an American company came on September 25, 1989, also at the AB rank.
Through years of dedication and rigorous training, Romeo achieved a historic milestone on January 23, 2001, becoming one of the first Nigerians to earn the rank of Master (Captain) in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
So far we’ve recovered his service record up to 2004.
Career Achievements:
Work Hours – Over 48,000 hours at sea
Service Record – 3,866 days of 12-hour shifts, totaling 46,392 hours
Rank Advancement – Progressed from Able Seaman (AB) to Master (Captain)
Romeo’s journey to Captain followed the structured path of the deck department hierarchy:
1️⃣ Master (Captain) – Ultimate authority on the vessel
2️⃣ Chief Mate (First Mate) – Second in command
3️⃣ Second Mate – Oversees navigation
4️⃣ Third Mate – Safety and compliance officer
5️⃣ Bosun – Senior deck crew leader
6️⃣ Able Seaman (AB) – Skilled deck crew member
7️⃣ Ordinary Seaman (OS) – Entry-level deckhand
8️⃣ Deck Utility/Deckhand – General support crew
9️⃣ Deck Cadet – Training to become an officer
Throughout his career, Romeo Itima earned outstanding recommendations from captains he sailed under. His exceptional work ethic, leadership, and skill made him a respected figure, not only in the maritime industry but also within the Ijaw community and Nigeria as a whole.
He carried his heritage, family, and aspirations with him on every voyage, proving that hard work, resilience, and vision could break barriers and create opportunities for those who followed.
Captain Romeo Itima was a pioneering U.S. Merchant Marine Captain and visionary leader who revolutionized Nigeria’s maritime industry. His legacy of courage, sacrifice, and empowerment endures as a beacon of justice and resilience.
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