Shaneese Brady, Deck Cadet – UK

My job responsibilities include LSA & FFA maintenance, training both on the Bridge and on Deck and report writing. As a deck cadet I pretty much just help the officers out wherever I can while also getting the training and experience I need to pass my oral exams. So I do a lot of their planned ship maintenance tasks like life saving appliances/fire fighting appliances maintenance and I also get to plan and execute drills as practice. I also do admin tasks as well as passage planning and navigation (under supervision of course).

What I love most about my job is meeting new people from all around the world and this because
I love learning about their different cultures and how they live and see the world. I just find it so interesting learning about their culture and it’s just so nice to make new friends.

Unfortunately I have faced some gender based challenges working in this industry, I’m quite a small girl, so most of the crew assume I can’t do the same jobs as a man when I can so I just have to throw myself into every opportunity and volunteer to help whenever I can.

One change I would advocate for in the maritime industry is access to PPE and female toiletries on board (especially if there’s female cadets doing long trips).

My advice to other female seafarers is to jump at every opportunity but also remember that you do not owe or need to prove anything to anyone. Do what makes you feel proud of yourself.

Shaneese Brady, Deck Cadet – UK