Seafarers’ Magazine

25/06/2024

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE SEAFARERS 2024 🎉

On this , we honor the unsung heroes of the high seas. To the brave women and men who work tirelessly to keep global trade moving, we salute you! Your dedication, resilience, and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. Let us celebrate your contributions and recommit to supporting your welfare and well-being.

15/06/2024

“On a white page, to a new future” 👮‍♀️

07/06/2024

Meet Christian K.M. Hepburn, a 24-year-old Marine Pilot from Grand Bahama, Bahamas!

🌊 Her maritime journey began at 13, driven by a passion for the industry.

🎓 She studied Nautical Science at LJM Maritime Academy and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation at Caribbean Maritime University.

🌍 Her travels took her to South America, Europe, and the Caribbean, exploring diverse cultures and ports.

💼 She was awarded a scholarship by the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation and Royal Caribbean International.

🔥 Today, she’s a Marine Pilot Trainee at Freeport Harbor Company, guiding international vessels with determination and passion.

“Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” - Christian K.M. Hepburn

Featuring: Christian Hepburn

04/06/2024

Hello!

It's Farzana Amin Rupa, a Bangladeshi female seafarer.Some of my friends asking me why I've decided to be a seafarer?

There are several reasons why being a seafarer can be a good profession:

Travel and Adventure: Seafaring offers the chance to visit all corners of the world, experiencing different cultures and ports. Imagine seeing sunrises over exotic locations or encountering marine life!

Competitive Salary and Benefits: Many seafaring jobs provide competitive salaries and benefits packages. This can be especially appealing because you'll be saving money while at sea and not incurring typical land-based expenses.

Job Security: The global economy relies heavily on seafaring for transporting goods. This translates to a steady demand for qualified seafarers, which means a higher chance of long-term employment.

Develop Valuable Skills: A seafaring career allows you to develop a range of competencies, from navigation and maintenance to teamwork and problem-solving. These skills are valuable assets and can open doors to future opportunities.

Unique Lifestyle: While not for everyone, some people find the challenge and camaraderie of seafaring very rewarding. There's a sense of accomplishment in working together to keep a large vessel functioning smoothly.

It's important to remember that seafaring also has drawbacks. Being away from loved ones for long stretches can be tough, and the work can be physically demanding. Life at sea can also be unpredictable, with factors like weather and emergencies playing a role.

Do some research to learn more about the different seafaring professions and the lifestyle involved. This will help you decide if it's the right path for you.

📸: Farzana Amin Rupa

31/05/2024

“A woman’s place is on the bridge, in the engine room, and everywhere in between”!

📸: Sashaine Pryce

30/05/2024

🏋️‍♀️

17/05/2024

My job: Being a bridge officer involves navigating the vessel and ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers.

I have been a qualified officer now for 2 years.
Why did I start a career at sea: I have always loved being on the water, I used to go sailing with my family a lot. My dad taught me to sail when I was very young so I suppose it’s always been in my blood to work at sea.

What do I enjoy most about working at sea: The variety of what’s involved in the job, no two days are ever the same so it keeps it interesting.
What do I find most challenging: I find the language barrier a challenge at times, but this also has a positive spin to it as it means I’m working with many different nationalities and cultures so that’s pretty amazing.

In my free time onboard: I like to go to the gym, keeping fit is extremely important to me. It keeps my brain calm as well as keeping my body physically fit. Going to the gym or just spending some time per day moving my body a bit really helps my mental health.

My biggest achievement at sea: so far my biggest achievement has to be when I gained my officer license. I trained for 3 and a half years as a deck cadet and spend time on 7 different ships during that time so when I passed my final exam it was an incredible feeling. A feeling that no words can fully describe.

My advice to anyone about to embark on their first voyage at sea: Be ready to become a sponge, by that I mean be ready to soak up every bit of information given to you. Ask as many questions as you can and don’t be afraid to make mistakes (trust me you will make some) making mistakes ultimately makes you learn!

Featuring:

16/05/2024

I’m a Kenyan lady working as a Seafarer on board one of the Royal Caribbean ships, Harmony of the seas.
My job involves doing maintenance on the ship, chirping painting, mooring operations, and inspection and routine maintenance of all the safety equipments around the ship
I’ve been working on board ships since 2021, after the pandemic.

I love being at sea for the love of the ocean and the beautiful sunset/ sunrises over the sea.

The challenging bit is working around men and constantly having to prove yourself based on the presumptions of others.

During my free time, I enjoy exercising, reading books, watching movies, basically anything that takes my mind away.

I like travelling both physically, like with my job and sometimes being in the same place with the same people for 8 months is exhausting so I enjoy doing things that take my mind away.

My biggest achievement is surviving every day in my job, like not quitting based on what people think or say about me.

Follow your dreams, and if your dreams don’t scare you, dream again.
If it feels like death, it’s life!

Featuring: .g.u.g.i_

15/05/2024

“Loving what you do is like discovering the key to unlocking your fullest potential. It’s a powerful force that fuels your enthusiasm, drives your determination, and empowers you to overcome any obstacle in your path.
When you’re passionate about your work, each day becomes a new opportunity for growth, creativity, and fulfillment. Embrace this passion, let it guide you, and watch as it transforms your job into a deeply rewarding journey. Remember, when you love what you do, success isn’t just a goal - it’s a natural outcome of your dedication and passion. So, cherish this gift, nurture it, and let it propel you to new heights of achievement and happiness”.

- Deck Cadet Awuah Vanessa

13/05/2024

Apprentice Deck Officer Christalove discussed her duty onboard a tanker vessel 👇🏾

✨Navigation
Under the supervision of the Master and Chief Officer, I take navigational watch and learn all the duties of Officer on Watch (OOW). I learn the spirit and letter of the COLREGS, IALA Buoyage System, INTERCO and their applications thereoff to safe navigation of a vessel. I learn the use of the Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners, the ENC’s and Paper charts to safe navigation and the use of the RADAR in collision avoidance. I learn the use of the ECDIS in safe navigation. I assist the Chief Officer by making a vessel position report or logging information about the vessel and the voyage in the logbook and hence learn the procedures for vessel position and voyage logging.

✨Maintenance
I assist with the maintenance of the deck by chipping, grinding and painting to maintain the structural integrity of the ship to keep the ship ship-shape (all pun intended 😂). I work with the Pumpman on various jobs like overhauling of valve, working on pipelines, working on pumps. I assist with the overall cleanliness of the ship and report any abnormalities or malfunctioning within the ship to the Chief Officer. I assist the Bosun with rope work and stenciling to build on my seamanship.

✨LSA/FFA Maintenance
I assist the 3rd Officer in the maintenance of all LSA and FFA appliances onboard the ship and learn the procedures of noting down expiry dates, carrying out repair work, checking for any defects, emailing the company for ordering new products and making sure they are in good working order for immediate use. I get the privilege of learning a great deal about how each equipment functions and learn a lot about lifeboats, life rafts, pyrotechnics and SOLAS regulations. This makes me well acquainted with the use of all these appliances.

✨Port work and Cargo Operations
I assist the 3rd Officer with the paperwork (Bond store, crew declaration and pre-arrival documents.)
I also assist with port/ cargo watch and monitor the loading/unloading of cargo noting down precise timings of the start and end of loading/unloading, every time it happens.
I also make tank soundings and keep good records of it while providing continuous feedback to the duty officer on a handheld radio. I assist the Chief Officer in almost all his Paperwork like maintaining the records, soundings log, cargo documents, monitoring the level of tanks, cargo calculations, gauging of tanks and topping off. I assist the Chief Officer and Bosun during tank cleaning to ensure the cargo holds are clean and ready for the next charter and cargo.

I really hope this gives you an insight into what my duties are onboard.

With Love,

Christalove🤍

09/05/2024

Meet Agnes, a trailblazing Engine cadet on ’s Explorer of the Seas! Hailing from Kumasi, Ghana, Agnes defied convention and pursued a career in the maritime industry, despite being surrounded by land. She shared her inspiring story with “I grew up in Kumasi- Ashanti Region, Ghana, surrounded by land but dreaming of the sea. Enrolling in a maritime university was a ticket to making the little girl in me proud. As a female in a male- dominated field, I’m all about breaking waves and inspiring others to dive in to the maritime world!”

Agnes’ advice to aspiring cadets is simple yet powerful: “Do not give up on your ship! Stay positive and keep sailing towards your dreams because they do come true”.

29/04/2024

Chief officer Eirini wrote: “Beginning my journey in October 2019 as a 3rd officer on Celebrity Constellation, I’ve come to cherish the sense of responsibility and discipline my role instills. Serving as a bridge officer among a team of highly skilled professionals within RCG is an unparalleled experience. It’s incredibly uplifting to receive recognition from guests for our expertise navigating mega cruise ships.”​

24/04/2024

National: Ghanaian. 🇬🇭
Current position onboard: Engine Cadet.

Hi. My name is Abotchie Meyrawo or Mey (May) for short. I am 22 years and I’m from Ghana, West Africa.

As a kid, I was in a boarding house and it was in a different region from where I used to stay so in order to get to the next region we had to use a ferry. I was always excited to go on the ferry than to get to school. Each time I took the ferry I felt at home. The sea always had an amazing view so I started my research on jobs at sea and Found out about Marine Engineering so I decided to pursue it.

My career goal : is to inspire more girls into the Maritime industry and attain the highest rank in my department that’s Chief Engineer.

Hm😂The most challenging aspect of being a seafarer is having to work twice as much just to prove that you also belong in this industry and also I still get seasick 😂.

The sense of Adventure it gives you, traveling around the world, seeing new sceneries and also being in the engine room😊

I like to read, watch movies and go for dance lessons

With Determination and hard work you can anything you set your mind to. Just do what you love because then it won’t be just work it will be doing what makes you happy and that’s what produces the best results.

Featuring:

16/04/2024

Meet Vanessa!

Deck cedet onboard

16/04/2024

Deck Vs Engineering
Operator Vs Maintainer
Task planning
Deck: hi Engine control room
Engineer: Hello Deck
Deck: I am planning to change the butterfly valve with the actuator on the high pressure fire line.
Engineer: you need to lock-out (isolate) the three pumps - HP fire pump, hold pump and emergency fire pump
Deck: yes all processes are followed
Engineer: but you need an engineer there!
Deck: No !
Engineer: are you sure?
Deck: yes
Engineer: okay
Deck: where is the correct valve?
Engineer: I told you you need an engineer there!
Deck: No , I need a correct valve 😂😂😂😂😂

The two departments on board that can’t survive without the other. Salute to all engineers out there

📸: Johanna Iyaloo

03/04/2024

Seawoman 🌊 .shoruk.1

21/03/2024

Stay safe out there! 😀👋

18/03/2024

The ocean is everything I want to be 💫

15/03/2024

“The only joy in the world is to begin”. - Cesare Pavese

n

08/03/2024

On this International Women's Day, Seafarers Magazine encourages all our readers to celebrate the women in their lives, especially those working at sea. Let's recognize their hard work, dedication, and resilience. Together, we can create a maritime industry where women have equal opportunities to thrive.

01/03/2024

National : Ghana 🇬🇭
Current Position Onboard:
Apprentice Deck Officer

I’m Christalove Agyin-Ayetse. I am a 22 year old adventure seeker with a passion for exploring new places and meeting new people. When I'm not navigating ships or working part-time on oil rigs, you can find me planning my next big trip, or creating content for my social media accounts to inspire more young ladies into entering the maritime industry. I absolutely love my job and the freedom it gives me to travel the world.

My dad inspired me to pick a career as a seafarer. He had always wanted to be a seafarer as a boy who comes from a small fishing village in Ghana. He just didn’t have anyone to mentor him on how to pursue it. So growing up, I knew this was what I always wanted to be. That and the fact that I saw how the crew on MV Logos Hope worked harmoniously when they came to Ghana in 2010. I knew from then that I wanted to be like them

Being a female seafarer comes with a lot of challenges. Unfortunately, I haven’t faced any challenges onboard as I always someway somehow seem to always have a good and respectful crew who understand that boundaries are important and women are not physiologically the same as men to work with. This is a big ups to Hafnia Shipping LLc for assembling people of such caliber on their vessels.

I enjoy the sunrises and sunsets, the 4/8hr shifts, the vacations after months of work to reset and rewind, seeing the world through a whole new lens I never imagined possible and the diverse nationalities and cultures onboard to learn from.

My advice to any seafarer about to embark on their first voyage is to be proactive, ask questions especially when you don’t know because you are there to learn. Do your job to the best of your ability and be so flat out fantastic that your talent and knowledge cannot be dismissed!

Featuring: Christalove Agyin-Ayetse

22/02/2024

National: Kenyan 🇰🇪
Current Position: Engine cadet

My name is Lizy chao (28yrs) undergraduate in Bsc Marine engineering. After graduation in 2019
I started doing other jobs since it was difficult to get sea time as a fresh graduate. But while doing some other jobs I did not give up my dream career, I did send my application in every marine careers sites I found online.
I got lucky last year November, i got my first cadetship with a container ship of 20,000 teus. I am currently sailing as an engine cadet.

I got insipired during my first career fair in high school where I saw a video of Elizabeth Marami as the 1st female pilot in kenya, from that moment I knew I wanted to sail and work in a ship.
Its hard working as a female especially in the engine department.

The male will always underestimate your intelligence, your input doesnt matter.
They will always say, “you should stay at home this job is not for girls, you are not masculine enough”.

Working at sea is enjoyable, you get to see different countries courtesy of sailing. I love working with marine engines, they are big and fascinating. I get to meet people from different cultures and learn from them too.

What I will say is just be patience, respect to others be a teamplayer and be kind to all people no matter the race or position.

Featuring: Lizy Malalo

21/02/2024

“If you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.”

-Dr Roopleen

26/01/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/NzoJ89Tpsi6VaYSw/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Nationality: Nigerian 🇳🇬
Current position onboard: Second engineer.

My name is Nkanga Ndifreke. A graduate from Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron. Studied Marine Engineering. Being in the industry for 10 years. Currently working as a second engineer onboard an AHTS vessel .I have had the opportunity to work on other vessels like ASD and others..

Pursuing this career path was motivated by individuals around me who have succeded in the industry. It is a fact that the maritime industry is a male dominated niche, as such the need to become one of the few females in the industry inspired me. However, my passion and vision for Engineering was the basic foundation. My male colleagues are seen as the focal point in the industry, this challenged me to push further while drawing strength from few female seafarers that has risen to the top and are successful. I also Iove to motivate people and I see it as an opportunity to inspire future generations.

I’ve experienced countless challenges so far in my career. It’s not far fetched to say that these challenges has taught me to stand fast and never give up.

I advise rookie female seafarers to set goals and prioritize in order to reach the set goals. Answering the question- “why I would want to be a seafarer” should be the first step to setting positive goals that stand the test of time.

📸: [Ndifreke Nkanga]

23/01/2024

"By stepping into my team's shoes for a week, I gained a firsthand understanding of their daily challenges. This eye-opening experience led to immediate changes that are already improving customer satisfaction”.

- Manoj Kumar, HouseKeeping Manager at Carnival UK 🇬🇧

20/01/2024

Meet Alessandra, the remarkable Second Officer aboard Silversea.​

"I started my professional journey on cargo ships at 19, and it was always my goal to pursue a career in the cruising industry. Silversea has been the dream, seamlessly blending navigation professionalism with opulent ships and incredible global voyages.”​

She further explains, "working onboard allows me to collaborate with individuals of diverse nationalities and extensive experiences. This presents an ongoing opportunity for personal enrichment and knowledge expansion. I am eager to continue advancing my career and personal growth within Silversea.”​

Alessandra, we are thrilled to have you on our team! Your contributions are deeply appreciated.​ ​​

25/12/2023

Thank you to all my readers and followers for their support this year. I hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

23/11/2023

When the formidable currents of skepticism threaten to pull you off course, remember the unyielding strength of the ocean's embrace. Let its depths inspire you to persevere, to navigate the treacherous storms with unwavering resolve. For it is in the depths of challenge that the true spirit of a seafaring soul emerges.

20/11/2023

A Turkish Seafarer's Journey: From Machine Cadet to Oiler and Beyond.

Meet Islek Sevin, a seafarer who has been traversing the vast expanses of the world's oceans since 2020. Currently holding the position of oiler, she began her maritime career as a machine cadet, diligently working her way up the ranks while pursuing her studies on deck. Her journey epitomizes the dedication and perseverance that characterize the lives of seafarers.

As an oiler, Sevin plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the ship's machinery. Her responsibilities encompass the maintenance and repair of essential equipment, ensuring the vessel's propulsion systems and auxiliary machinery function seamlessly. Alongside her professional duties, Sevin is committed to her academic pursuits, diligently studying maritime subjects to enhance her knowledge and advance her career.

The duration of a typical voyage varies, and Sevin has experienced contracts ranging from 10 months to 4 months. While the length of time spent at home between voyages can fluctuate, she believes an ideal contract length would be around 4 months, allowing for a balanced work-life schedule.

Sevin's fascination with the sea ignited her childhood dream of becoming a sailor. In 2020, she embarked on her seafaring adventure as a machine cadet, eager to learn the ropes and contribute to the ship's operations. Her dedication and passion for work have propelled her forward, leading to her current position as oiler.

The thrill of navigating the open seas is what excites Sevin most about her profession. She relishes the feeling of adventure and camaraderie that ship life fosters. However, she also acknowledges the challenges that come with her career, particularly the pressure from colleagues and instances of mobbing and painting that can create a stressful work environment.

Despite the demanding nature of her work, Sevin finds solace and enjoyment in engaging in stimulating conversations with her fellow crew members, unwinds by playing games, and immerses herself through reading books during her free time.

Islek Sevin exemplifies the resilience and determination that characterize the lives of seafarers. Her journey from machine cadet to oiler, while at times challenging, has been marked by dedication, perseverance, and a deep-seated passion for the maritime profession.

07/11/2023