SEA VIEW

Silvina Rosa Chianica Pambo was born and grew up in Cabinda, Angola. She joined Wallem in 2010 as an aspiring ETO. Although slightly overwhelmed when she climbed onboard her first ship, she hasn’t looked back.

What first triggered your interest in shipping?

My interest in shipping was fired by a desire to do something altogether different from most women. Looking back to my childhood, I can say I was always competitive and jumped at challenges. At high school I studied electronics and telecommunications as it would open the door to a career in engineering and allow to work with my hands.

After deciding you wanted to work at sea, how did you turn that dream into a reality?

I applied and was selected for a place on a cadetship program run by Sonangol, the Angolan state oil company, which taught me a lot about the marine field generally. At the same time, it let me progress my education on a four-year degree in engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Marine) at AMET University. This was enough to meet the criteria for becoming an electro-technical officer, or ETO. It was rewarding but it was hard being away from my family.

What surprised you when you joined your first ship?

It is already ten years ago, but I distinctly remember the mix of excitement and anxiety I felt when I stepped on board as an engine cadet for the first time. Initially I was overwhelmed by the ship’s size and height of the ladder I had to climb to simply to board it. I didn’t realise how hot it can get in the engine room and the sheer amount of machinery and equipment there.

What do you most enjoy or find most rewarding about working at sea?

There are many things. Realising the immensity of sea and wonder of nature. The opportunities to peep through the windows of so many cultures. Time to think, plan and set goals. And decent wages.

What do you most appreciate about the way Wallem supports its seafarers?

It’s positive attitude to gender equality, the way seafarers and office staff interact and support each other, and, above all, the weight it gives to upholding a safety culture.

What plans do you have for advancing your career?

My original aspiration was to become a full ETO. I’ve now been in that rank for two years, so I’m beginning thinking about future development. There are still things I can learn further as an ETO but I’m exploring the possibility of a marine technical superintendent program.

What advice would you give a young person considering becoming a seafarer?

You need resilience. It’s not an easy life and you have to make certain sacrifices – but I suppose that’s true of many careers. It takes time to settle into the role and life at sea, so a positive attitude is vital: stay brave and keep at it, because ultimately it is a very gratifying career that can take you far.

Rachel C. Feliciano joined Wallem three years ago. Currently serving as a second officer, she points to Wallem’s transparency in her career prospects as the reason she’s staying with the company

What first triggered your interest in shipping?

To be completely truthful, the prospect of a good salary combined with the chance to travel across the globe was very enticing when I was deciding which direction I wanted to go at college. I felt reasonably confident too that I had the right set of strengths for a career at sea. The rest, as they say, is history.

After deciding you wanted to work at sea, how did you go about turning that dream into a reality?

I did not give up. I made sure I watched everything and asked everyone I met and worked with along the way lots of questions so I could learn rapidly. I also set clear goals on what I next want to achieve and promised myself to put the work in to make it happen. Such dedication is a essential.

What made you choose Wallem?

From the very beginning Wallem made it clear what and where my career could go. This upfront transparency is a big part of the reason I’m still with the company. Another part is the assurance they gave that I would be well supported if I decide to go further in the profession.

What surprised you when you joined your first ship?

What most amazed me was how much you can actually accomplish in a single day. Sometimes the vessel could finish loading at one port and sail to the next all within 24 hours. There are times when it’s tiring doing back to back works with limited manpower, but nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment when you finish the job or even just get a stubborn piece of equipment to finally work.

What do you find rewarding about working at sea?

I appreciate fulfilment that comes after a day of hectic port calls and the long hours of simultaneous operation. It is rewarding when we work together on a hard job that needs urgent attention and then completing it within the day. I appreciate the small wins like repairing of equipment, passing inspections and resolving other problems that sometimes suddenly just pops out especially when you are in the middle of the sea. When I go to my cabin, I know deep down that I’ve achieved something – even if I am away from my family.

What advice would you give a young person considering a career at sea?

Work hard. Grab whatever opportunities you can to gain knowledge and experience – especially onboard – and then apply it in your everyday tasks. Learn to ask for help when you need it because teamwork is essential to finish a job safely and efficiently. But remember to find balance as rest and recovery is just as important for your wellbeing. Being healthy physically, mentally and emotionally means you can give your best and deliver on whichever task given to you.

Naznin Shamim joined Wallem in 2014 after she was inspired by a chance encounter with India’s first female marine engineer. Naznin is currently serving as a third engineer.

What first triggered your interest in shipping?

I was inspired by witnessing with my own eyes India’s first female engine cadet, Sonali Banerjee, receive her graduation certificate. My father, Md. Shamim Ahmad Ansari, worked at the Indian Maritime University in Kolkata (at the time Taratalla Kolkata) and he took me along to the ceremony as his guest – maybe he knew it would trigger something inside me. It was 2006 and I was still at school but seeing the Governor of West Bengal hand Sonali her certificate in marine engineering definitely left a deep impression.

After deciding you wanted to work at sea, how did you go about turning that dream into a reality?

In those days training to become a marine engineer was costly compared to other disciplines but my father supported and encouraged me every step of the way. The journey did have its bumps. On the day of my entrance exam to ITU, I came down with a high fever. When the results came in, I had missed the admission score by a single mark! We didn’t give up. I went on to attain a high enough score on the West Bengal Joint Engineering entrance exam to get a place on a BTech in Marine Engineering at Neotia institute of Technology in Marine and Science.

What made you choose Wallem?

On missing IIT I was hearted to build my career in Shipping through Wallem as a large number of Marine Engineering cadets were placed by the Wallem and in IMU but the noble decision put the ointment on my cut by offering opportunity of providing campus placement to the top few Marine cadets of IMU including myself being the W.B.U.T topper in Marine Engineering discipline.

What surprised you when you joined your first ship?

I was mentally prepared to be away from my real family, so the biggest surprise was when I gained a new family at sea. Everyone onboard from the lowest to the highest rank not only warmly welcomed me as the newest member of the team but they made time to offer me their full support as I acclimatized to the new environment and in my training.

What do you most enjoy or find most rewarding about working at sea?

There are lots of benefits of working at sea. Less air pollution for a start. You escape all the little daily stresses that mount up with a normal job on land, like the commuting. You leave behind the social and political issues that seem to dominate the TV news and our lives these days. Having to work as part of a team and to rely on each other teaches you useful life skills and build new friendships.

What do you most appreciate about the way Wallem supports its seafarers?

Before you get anywhere near a real ship, Wallem educates and trains its seafarers ensuring they know everything they need to perform their job safely and securely. I’ve found everyone on the ship is friendly, kind and cooperative regardless of rank.

What are your career aspirations?

My long-term goal is to become chief engineer. The first step is to clear my MEO class 1 examination and get promoted to Second Engineer.

What advice would you give a young person considering following in your footsteps?

It’s important to have clear aim in sight, whether deck officer or engineer, and then be ready to put in the effort to meet that aim. Your supervisors and superiors are a great source of knowledge and experience so always listen carefully to what they have to say. In return you must follow their instructions in a disciplined way. Mentally prepare yourself for living and working away from your family as it can be a struggle, especially at first.