My name is Norbert Francis Rebello. I was born in Mumbai and completed my studies before going out to sea opting to join the Merchant Navy. I joined as a direct entry deck cadet with Univan Ship Management, Hong Kong. Started my career sailing on general cargo ship and then onto bulk carriers and various dry cargo vessels before settling down to tankers. I now sail as Master (Captain) on crude oil tankers.
I have always been passionate about reading and I started writing at an early age. I have written articles and poetry for various Magazines and Publications. However i enjoy writing poetry the most. I did pen a lot of short stories which were circulated between people i knew.
I finally got a break when Capt. Kamal Chadda published a book written by me in December 2008 under his banner Marex. Named “Memories of Another day it was based on real life anecdotes of sailors stranded in the then Yugoslavia under the leadership of President Milosovic. It gives the inner details of the sufferings of sailors stranded in a foreign country, struggling for the basic necessities of food and water. Abandoned in a non English speaking country due to the sinking of another ship of the same company. The fines and other legalities made the owner scamper and the company was bankrupt. With the owner on the run they were left to face the unknown world of a strange country on the brink of revolution. Left to fend for themselves they were deserted by everyone who were responsible for placing them on board in the very first place.
My next book on poetry called Whispers of the heart was released at the Black Box Ravindra Bhavan Margao Goa on the 9th of February 2012. In this book of poems i have voiced the emotions of both genders bringing life to thoughts and feeling hidden within many restless hearts. This book is a coffee table hard cover multi color book. This is a perfect Valentines day gift.
The third book was released along with the poetry book. It is based on the piracy situation in Somalia. It is a novel woven with fiction and facts and is due to be released this year as well. It gives a detailed insight of the problems in Somalia, the local culture, the birth of piracy and the reasons piracy is now flourishing. It also shows the humiliation and the hardships faced by the crew and their families while the owners take their time to negotiate. Though the people ashore too are high strung with the hijacking, they at the end of the day go to sleep in the warmth of their bed and the comfort of their homes while the hijacked crew not knowing what the morrow holds. The story ends with an unexpected twist and keeps one guessing till the last page.
The two books released this year were published by Goa 1556.
All my books are available at itsallhere.in
Distributors, shipping companies and persons wanting to purchase in bulk can contact me at norbertrebello@gmail.com. Purchase of 10 book or more will get a discount of 20%
I have also completed another poetry book called “Travelling Mind” which is in the final stages of editing.
My next book connected to the sea and sailors is called “Cruise the Horizon”. This book will be based on the real life events of crew working in the cruise industry. Though the men once back home do not speak of their hardships, they struggle working untold hours on the high seas away from their friends and family. Once home they splurge their savings on their loved ones keeping the hard life at sea deep within their hearts.
I am working on 2 non fiction books. One called Walks of life and the other titled Journey to a Miracle. Walks of life is a book on everyday life and how one could get around the problems associated to lead a stress free and happy life. While journey to a miracle is a story that will touch the hearts of many. It is based on true events.
I am also working on a book called Tales from the Goan Chest. This will contain short storied based on the Goan culture and the stories that originate from Goa some of which are true and others based on the wild imaginations of the local people.
I now live in Cavelossim a small tourist village by the sea in Goa, India. 