Interview with Chief Cook Myline B. Namora on the “CL FUGOU”  

1. What inspired you to choose a career in the Merchant Navy, and how have your initial experiences shaped your professional journey?

It all started with my brother, because he is a seaman. 

He encouraged me to become part of the maritime industry, saying I would like it too, and he kept on with that until I started applying, and then (when I had got through the initial training) I began my work on board ships, eventually getting a position as Chief Cook.

My brother was right – I did enjoy it, and I love my job now as a seafarer.

2. What was your pre-sea training and how did it prepare you for life at sea?

I first applied via the Philippines-based agency Magsaysay, and (as is quite common) before being able to get anything at sea I had to learn my skills on shore, with a number of cooking and catering roles there.

3. What attracted you to join the Synergy Marine Group, and how would you describe your experience sailing under its banner? 

During the time of the pandemic, I was taken on as a mess woman via the Philippines-based manning agency Jebsen, and after that I successfully applied for a more senior role with Maersk Tankers and came across to Synergy when they took over that part of the business. Overall, my experience with Synergy has been very good. 

4. Can you outline a typical day at sea, highlighting both the challenges and the rewards?

Typically, my day begins before sunrise, as I need to make sure that the day gets going with a hearty breakfast for the crew. And things go straight on, because once the breakfast service is completed and cleared away the galley gets busy again preparing lunch. Mostly, I can get a break in the early to mid afternoon i.e. after lunch and before heading back to the galley for all the dinner preparations.

One challenge that I have found is that I need more time to get things done when the ship is rolling around in heavy sea conditions. That can still sometimes make me feel dizzy, and of course if you are not careful things that always stay put on land can move around.

I have to handle all that, though, and make sure that all is done safely and the meals are served properly and on time for my crew mates. 

5. What aspects of life at sea do you find most fulfilling, and how do they compare to shore-based roles?

The great thing about working on board ship is that, even though the sea is sometimes heavy and I feel a bit dizzy, I can always finish my work and so turn the negative into a positive. I cannot think of any comparison with a role on shore – it is just that, to my mind, it is a very responsible job to be Chief Cook and to get the food prepared, cooked and served for your crew mates, no matter what happens.

6. What is the most significant change that could improve life on board for seafarers? 

For me, this is a personal thing, but the general message applies to all.

The one thing that must be changed, in order to improve things, is to get fully used to life on board – and in my own case I mean the varied motion of the ship – because it is necessary to get used to the difference between work on land and work on board ship, so as to do the job right and improve.

7. What specific challenges have you encountered as a female seafarer, and how have you overcome them?

Maybe it is because I am fairly small in stature, and am the only woman on the ship, but, still, some men think I can’t do the things that men do. 

I know that that is not right, so it is a challenge for me to hear that kind of thing. I also know that, as long as I am able to do the job, I don’t care what anyone says, and I think this aspect comes down to mutual respect, and things are ever improving. I show respect to the men, and that I can do the job, so that they also respect me as a woman.

8. Do you believe that the maritime industry is becoming more inclusive for female seafarers? What progress have you observed? 

Yes, I agree with that. I also think that one day there will be many more women seafarers, because whatever men can do, women can also do, and also because women are strategic and can prioritise whenat work.

9. What particular strengths and perspectives do women bring to shipboard operations?

Some people say that having women on board makes seagoing life more like life ashore. I think that is true, and in a very particular way. A strong woman on board will remind men of, say, their mother or sister, or a close friend, or maybe a female colleague when they had some other job on land. And when that happens they find they can better relate to, and also socialize with, a female co worker (i.e. a crew member), so there is respect and friendship and mentorship.

10. What further steps can our industry take to enhance gender equality and encourage more women to pursue careers at sea?

I think the maritime industry needs to actively encourage more women to sail the oceans because, just like me, and as I have seen elsewhere, they can handle men’s work as seafarers.

11. How do you spend your time ashore, and what activities help you unwind?

When I am at sea, I think a lot, especially when I am in the galley, and when ashore I like to go out and taste the foods of different cultures – and of course dishes prepared by someone else. Stress seems to disappear that way.