WOMEN AT HELM

The vast expanse of ocean has fascinated humans since time immemorial. Merchant navy can be considered as one of the oldest professions and continues to be one of the most sought after ones for candidates who have a yearning for a life of adventure and luxury. However, if asked, ‘what comes to your mind when you hear Merchant Navy’? The obvious answer is, ‘a man wearing white uniform on the ship, doing his duties.’ It is principally considered to be a man’s job to be at the helm and address the call of the sea. However, this perception is changing thanks to some admirable women who wear their passion on their sleeves and don’t shy away from working in the Engine room on board the ship or navigating the humongous vessel as it transverses boundaries in the name of trade and commerce.

India is no stranger when it comes to having women working in varied professions. As women have started venturing in this field, opportunities are evolving and increasing even more thanks to the sincere efforts put in by women seafarers. Women in India have been joining the Merchant Navy since the early 1990s. The first Indian woman to join the Merchant Navy was Radhika Menon in 1991, who went on to become the first woman captain in the Indian Merchant Navy in 2012. Prior to 1991, women were not encouraged to work in the Merchant Navy due to various constraints and regulations. However, after India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1995, the Indian government amended its laws to allow women to work in merchant navy. It was since then, that more and more women from India were given the road to walk and have a successful career in this field.

When it comes to transforming ordinary candidates into officers, the role of marine training institutions is extremely crucial.  Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET), Pune affiliated to MIT Arts, Design and Technology is one such institution that prides itself on admirably handling the task of honing the skills of young boys and girls who aspire to carve a niche for themselves in this industry. The hallmark of MANET is that it has the largest number of girl cadets in the country who get trained successfully every year. These young women in MANET get placement in top notch shipping Companies thanks to the excellent training they get at the hands of experienced faculty and trainers.  Success of girls in MANET is not restricted only to academics and placement but also is reflected in their sailing career. From donning boiler suits and working with the machines to navigating the ships, Women seafarers have definitely proved their worth in this otherwise male dominated profession.

This picture was however not very rosy in the olden times when women had to disguise themselves as men in order to work onboard.  Far from being hostile towards women, shipping Companies today are leaving no stones unturned in order to encourage women to join this profession and excel in it. However, in order for women to work efficiently on board, they have to be trained well by the training institutions without any bias or prejudices. With the motto of women empowerment, Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training focuses on overall growth and development of girl cadets. It is touted to be a woman – friendly Institution that believes in giving the best of training to its cadets so that they are both physically and mentally ready to work on board ships.  To spur this on, Training is given via The Ship- in Campus, state of the art simulator, various workshops that train cadets in technical skills and are adept at boosting practical knowledge.  The T. S. Vishwanath, i.e. the Ship-in Campus, is the actual replica of real ship which makes sure that cadets are familiar with their future work place. The bridge simulator in the academic block helps cadets to learn navigation more practically. Not just these technical skills, but the cadets are also helped to build their soft skills that include leadership qualities, optimistic personality, speaking skills, code of conduct, etc. by the professionals of School of Corporate Innovation and Leadership (SCIL). There are also special provisions made for the cadets to inculcate OLQs in them, i.e. Officer Like Qualities. Girl cadets are also encouraged to actively participate in all academic and extra-curricular activities and accordingly they are provided with a safe environment to practice them.  From leading a platoon of cadets in parade to securing top ranks in academics, girls prove their mettle at every step of the way. No wonder most of the shipping Companies now-a- days are flocking to marine institutions in search of capable women seafarers.  Indian Government and its role cannot be denied either when it comes to trying to bridge the gap between men and women seafarers. Various scholarships, special programs and facilities are offered to girl cadets so that they can successfully achieve their target of working at the helm.

The path of women seafarers to reach this level of acceptance and trust was however not a very easy one. Eyebrows were often raised when girls dared to voice their wish of joining the merchant vessels. As the perceptions and norms of society have started changing, the path is defiantly becoming easier. Despite this, reluctance of training institutions to admit girls continues to be in the spoke in the wheels of success of many young women who wish to go down to the sea. MANET however is an institute with a difference as it encourages girls from all parts of the country to join this profession. The safe and secure culture of this institution also ensures that girls mold themselves effortlessly in this fascinating profession. Thus, we can proudly say that the Vessel of Women Empowerment has safely left the port for its sail round the globe.  Sincere efforts of today’s women seafarers are reflected on the epaulets they earn and new horizons they create even as the eliminate stereotypes regarding women at helm one voyage at a time.

Marex Media