SHIP’S OFFICER BY CHANCE

SHIP’S OFFICER BY ACCIDENT

The trip to Antarctica was a dream come true for young Amy Harding-Goodman when she studied marine biology and oceanography in Cape Town ten years ago. But the voyage across the Southern Ocean and life at sea was so fascinating that she decided to change course. Today she is 33, 2nd mate on the container ship VISTULA MAERSK and mentor to new cadets onboard.

By Troels Leth, SEA HEALTH & WELFARE

Amy Harding-Goodman was actually well on her way to a career as a researcher at university level, but her interest in becoming a ship’s officer came suddenly and unexpectedly when, as a 22-year-old student, she was a research assistant on a research vessel bound for Antarctica.

Something happened to her when she got steel under her feet and saw first-hand how the ship’s crew live and work.

”It was my first time on a ship, and after a short time onboard I spent all of my free time on the bridge. I asked a lot of questions to the officers and crew about their lives, about the ship and about working at sea. I became very fascinated by it and immediately loved the feeling of living and working on a ship. I loved that there was always something happening on board, even in the early hours of the morning,” says Amy Harding-Goodman.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Amy Harding-Goodman returned to her studies but couldn’t forget the joy that her weeks on the ship brought her. She finished university with a master’s degree in Ocean & Atmospheric Science and decided to change careers because at the time, there were no permanent jobs for researchers onboard ships.

”There seemed no other way around it. I realised that I would have to change careers and start from scratch. I choose to go for my new dream.” She started navigation school and got a cadetship with Maersk at the age of 26. ”My first voyage as a cadet was to China, Singapore and Australia, and it was amazing. I was so excited. There I was on the bridge, continually moving, changing latitude and longitude – something I had dreamt about for the three years since I was on the ship to Antarctica,” says Amy Harding-Goodman.

Amy Harding-Goodman loves life at sea and working with the other seafarers on board. Photo: private HUMBLY TACKLING ALL THE TASKS

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows as a cadet, though. Amy Harding-Goodman also remembers how it was really hard work at first. She was used to being good at the books, but now she had to do many more practical tasks than she had ever done before in her life.

”I remember one day I was told to wash the decks of the entire accommodation of the ship. I remember laughing to myself and thinking about the paradox of having to wash the decks of a ship with a master’s degree. But I was 100 percent into it and humbly approached every task. When you really love something, no task or duty is too small or unworthy for you. I believe you must be willing to do anything to live your dream,” says Amy Harding-Goodman.

On the bridge high above the water Amy feels at home. Photo: private

ADVERSITY MAKES YOU STRONG

Amy remembers the hard days, the feeling of homesickness and when she didn’t want to get up and go on duty. But those days and feelings also help make you stronger, she points out.

”You find that you can be a valuable part of a community and help solve tasks that you never thought you would be able to do. You learn to push yourself and you learn to deal with pressure from other people. You grow enormously as a person and you want to learn something new every day,” says Amy HardingGoodman.

NEW CADETS BRING THE SAME VALUES

After seven years at sea, Amy Harding-Goodman has become a

2ND MATE AMY HARDING-GOODMAN

Age: 33 Country: South Africa Vessel: VISTULA MAERSK It’s always good to get ashore, especially after the covid-19 pandemic, which has prevented many seafarers from getting solid ground under their feet. Here, 1st mate Amy Harding-Goodman recounts what she and colleagues experienced in Rotterdam when they were finally able to disembark.

”The pandemic was very stressful for all the seafarers onboard, so it was just an amazing feeling when we finally got the chance to go ashore again after such a long time. Our first trip ashore after the pandemic was in Brielle, Holland, where wonderful Belinda Hoff had arranged the best day ever for us. We were driven to the amazing ’home away from home’ Seamen’s Club on the harbour that SEA HEALTH & WELFARE runs. We had coffee and freshly baked cake from the bakery next door.”

”There is a very relaxed atmosphere at the Seamen’s Club, so you really get a break from life on board the ship and can recharge your batteries. After coffee we hopped on the club’s bikes and had a lovely ride around the city. We took lots of photos of the sights and enjoyed getting grass under our feet. Finally, we shopped for supplies for the next trip with the ship. When we got back on board, we were completely exhilarated by all the wonderful impressions from the visit. It really makes a big difference for us to have the opportunity to visit SEA HEALTH & WELFARE and relax and recharge.”

seasoned ship’s officer, mentoring new cadets. When she meets new cadets on the ship, she strives to pass on her experience, enthusiasm, and enjoyment of the job.

”I make a point of teaching cadets all aspects of the job of ship’s officer and try to encourage and motivate them to look at life at sea with curiosity and appreciation. I try to teach cadets to be interested in the job, and I teach them what they need to do to become a good ship officer. When they show progress, I give them more responsibility, and I make sure they’re ready to be in charge when it’s their turn,” says Amy Harding-Goodman.

Among other things, she tries to notice cadets who have picked up bad habits or don’t complete tasks correctly.

”I try to guide them to get on the right track and explain why it’s important that they do things correctly. Encouraging cadets to do their best improves the quality of their work and I believe it makes them even better ship officers,” she says.

Rotterdam shore leave was something special

Amy and her colleagues can only recommend other seafarers to visit the seafarers’ club in Brielle run by SEA HEALTH & WELFARE.

INSPIRATION:

Read more about SEA HEALTH & WELFARE’s support points in Brielle and Port Said at shw.dk/overview-of-support-points