Weleayaziba Iruaro, Nigeria – Third Engineer

My job entails carrying out Engine room watch keeping duties, maintenance and operation of auxiliary machineries in the Engine room. I work on board a Multipurpose Supply vessel which serves as an accommodation, tug, support and supply vessel for offshore facilities such as rigs, platforms and FPSOs. At sea, my vessel operates on a 12-hours watch keeping system (manned) although it’s 6hours on duty and 6 hours off duty. My first watch starts from 0600 until 1200 and from 1800 until midnight.

My favourite part of the job is troubleshooting and developing problem solving skills as well as conquering self -doubt in a male dominated industry like ours, there will always be high expectations when a female seafarer joins a ship. When I first joined a ship as an Engineer, I had low self esteem because I doubted myself a lot and I was scared to be tagged lazy. Being the only woman amongst men made me feel like I was being watched at all times and monitored when carrying out tasks so as to find errors. Maybe I was overthinking but I knew deep down that I had to work extra hard to prove my worth and also to show that I’m capable and competent. So in order to conquer self doubt I had to work hard and take out fear by confidently doing my job.

Aside from conquering self-doubt, there have been other challenges I have faced as a woman in this industry, whilst trying to get a job with a marine company, I was told that they do not employ female seafarers and there was nothing I could do, I just had to apply to other companies but some still do not respond/reply.

A change I would like to see in the industry would be stopping the discrimination and stereotyping of female seafarers. Marine companies should give female seafarers more chances/opportunities.

As a female seafarer, you’ll definitely face challenges in the marine industry, either while seeking for a job or even after getting a job. Whenever you are faced with these challenges , don’t just quit, keep pushing and you’ll overcome them.

Weleayaziba Iruaro, Nigeria – Third Engineer