Our ‘Seafarer Stories’ column hosts seafarers’ views who present briefly the key challenges of life and work onboard, providing a picture of what a career at sea actually means. In this context, we are happy to host an interview with Mrs Maria Kapsopoulou who works as a Chief Officer on board crude oil tankers, in Maran Tankers Management of Angelicoussis Shipping Group.
Mrs Kapsopoulou has been in this company since she was a cadet and currently she is attending a master degree program in International Maritime Business at Solent University of Southampton. She is also actively taking part as a mentor for female seafarers in a platform created from Women Offshore, which is a non profit organization that supports the career of women offshore and onshore.
SAFETY4SEA: What do you love the most out of your career at sea?
Maria Kapsopoulou: Being able to interact with other nations and experiencing the world from another angle. The fact that you get to know different cultures and customs around the globe, it gives you another point of view and an addendum to personal edification. Also, the simplicity and the calmness. You don’t have to drive your car to work. You’re just there.
S4S: What have you learned over the course of your career at sea?
M.K.: Time and adaption. There is a whole different perception of the term ‘time’. This profession is a way of living. You sense time with a unique way. So, you need to evolve and adapt repeatedly in other time frames.
S4S: How would you describe your daily life at sea/ work in a few words?
M.K.: There is a multitasking routine when ship is at sea or in port and of course the resting hours. Maintenance, safety issues, paperwork, drills, meetings, training of the officers and crew and a watch on Bridge. During port stay and depending on the operation of each vessel, is the loading/unloading, internal/external inspections from third parties like various oil majors, port authorities or even from the shipping company.
S4S: What is the biggest challenge that you have to face on board?
M.K. Cooperation and cohabitation with a male- dominated crew, balance between different nationalities and mental health.
S4S: What is your piece of advice to fellow crew members onboard?
M.K.: Mentality and perception are two important provisions for a life at sea. You have to take care of your inner self and maintain your mentality in a satisfactory level. You should not think in a unilateral way. A global view of the things, situations, people and an open mind will guide you through all tough and demand tasks of the job or life on board.
S4S: What inspires you every day onboard?
M.K.: The fact that you’re part of the progress, operation and seaworthiness of a vessel, which contributes in a bigger part in the Maritime Industry, gives you proudness and satisfaction. It can also be very rewarding the training of the officers and crew. They’re your team.
S4S: What has been the most extraordinary thing that you have experienced on board?
M.K.: We were underway off Somalia coast in a laden condition and we witnessed two attempts of approach by three pirate’s skiffs. Fortunately, apart from the hardening of the ship, we had on board a team for the passage and anything more was avoided.
S4S: What is the one thing that should change to make life better on board?
M.K.: Communication with home. Although, the last years communication met various changes, like the internet or telephone, instead of letters in the previous years, still has room to improve.
S4S: What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking a career at sea?
M.K.: You need to be conscious for that choice and support it with arguments. You must have a strong belief in yourself, be ready to face various challenges of the job and consider living away from family and friends for a specific period. You should support yourself by your own strength and continuously evolve.
S4S: What do you miss the most about your seagoing experience?
M.K.: Serenity and the infinity views, which you don’t meet in your everyday life onshore.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
