Maria Symnianaki shares her experience as a woman seafarer onboard, and advises the new generation of seafarers to “follow their dreams and make their wish come true.”
Ms. Symnianaki believes that shipping is a great school as it keeps crew alert due to new innovations. Passionate about seafaring Maria remembers her time onboard, and tells her story.
SAFETY4SEA: What do you love the most out of your career at sea?
M.S: I consider it a great gain in my life to embrace its people. I love consistency, immediacy, engagement, clarity, a sharp mind with empathy. All this creates a healthy background for the profession I have chosen the profession of the Seafarer.
S4S: What have you learned over the course of your career at sea?
M.S: I believe that Shipping is a great school where you are constantly learning and evolving on new innovations and this keeps you alert. I will refer to my own position and my own specialty. I consider communication a great quality. You exchange different views and ideas, giving each one a piece of himself.
S4S: How would you describe your daily life at sea/work in a few days?
M.S: When you are at sea you are faced with several situations. Nothing is easy and nothing is difficult. Especially in winter in the Adriatic we face adverse weather conditions.
The struggle of the master to approach the port is difficult when strong winds blow. During the summer, we observe increased passenger traffic where we have to be stand by to better serve passengers and avoid any problems. I will never forget that in the difficulties that arose, my crewmates were always by my side. They always guided me in handling office and ship work
S4S: What is the biggest challenge that you have to face on board?
M.S: My participation to safety drill on M.E.S. system activation and complete inflation in the water, carried out on board in Ancona Port. I was the only woman who actively participated.
S4S: What is your piece of advice to fellow crew members on board?
M.S: The Shipping companies should take care of providing continuous training to seafarers. Adapting to new data requires people who have the ability to adapt and cope with change. Which means that an open mind is required.
As the control system becomes more sophisticated and integrated with automated decision making, we will need sailors who can handle the data. So it requires experience, a high degree of awareness of situations and good perceptual ability. However, it will be somewhat contradictory, as shipping companies will focus on seafarers who will not go out of bounds, but will instead adhere to procedures and standards. Furthermore, the Social skills also play a key role. The Seafarers will be required to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, who will have different backgrounds, as well as be able to interact with the office associates
S4S: What inspires you every day on board?
M.S: The nature of my work, the excellent communication with the crew members as well as my cooperation with my Chief Purser. They are a key pillar in the good operation of the Hotel Department.
S4S: What has been the most extraordinary thing that you have experienced on board?
M.S: I have so many beautiful experiences on the ship that I do not know which one to remember first. I will not forget learning Italian from a seaman of Italian descent where he later became my best friend.
S4S: What is the one thing that should change to make life better on board?
M.S: The technological sectors that will shape shipping in the near future with a significant impact on the design of ship systems and ship operation come from within the industry including propulsion, shipbuilding (autonomous ships, green technology, energy management) and smart ships.
S4S: What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking a career at sea?
M.S: My wish to young men and women is to follow their dreams and make their wish come true. To love what they do and give devotion to it.
S4S: What do you miss the most about your seagoing experience?
M.S: I miss a lot my partners and the moments we lived on board. I hope to meet them again soon.
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.
