In April 2022 we interviewed Urmi when she was a Deck Cadet. Two years on we have interviewed her again, following her promotion to Third Officer in September 2023.
1. Everyone has inspiration. What was yours?
My inspiration for becoming a female seafarer is deeply rooted in a diverse array of influences. Firstly, the trailblazing women who have defied conventions, mirroring the spirit of resilience and courage instilled in me through my father’s own service in the Indian Air Force. Growing up in a family with a strong connection to service and duty, I developed a profound respect for those who push boundaries and challenge stereotypes, such as the pioneering women who first sought a maritime career.
Moreover, my father’s commitment to protecting the nation’s environment instilled in me a sense of duty towards environmental stewardship. I am very much motivated to contribute to sustainable practices within the maritime industry, echoing the ethos of responsibility and conservation that permeated my upbringing.
In addition to these influences, the values of discipline, integrity and camaraderie instilled in me by my father and the wider military community have all served as guiding principles in my career as a female seafarer. I am inspired by the potential for professional growth and the sense of community within the maritime sector, mirroring the bonds that are commonly forged among military personnel.
2. What is your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of the job is the sense of adventure and exploration that comes with it. Every voyage brings new experiences and challenges, together with opportunities to discover different cultures and landscapes. I enjoy the thrill of navigating the open sea, the camaraderie among crew members and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles together.
Also, being able to break stereotypes and inspire other women to pursue careers in what until recently had long been a male-dominated field is incredibly rewarding. Overall, the dynamic nature of the job and the chance to make a positive impact drive my passion for being a female seafarer.
3. How did you join the Synergy Marine Group, and what has been your experience sailing with them?
Briefly on how, I joined via Synergy’s application and interview process. As to why, just as before the answer is because (as I have since seen proved) Synergy reliably supports women seafarers and offers genuinely equal opportunities. Diversity and inclusion is part of Synergy’s fabric, such that all can thrive no matter who they are or where they come from. Everyone is always very supportive, and the company’s core values – Integrity, Safety, Transparency, Empathy, Empowerment and Respect (iSTEER) – are absolutely genuine. They exist in reality, rather than just being the stuff of website and PowerPoint. That was my view as a Deck Cadet, and it is the same now. Back then, I said that sailing with Synergy was very good, and that the challenges that came up every day always motivated me to do better.
Sailing with Synergy as a lady Third Officer has been a transformative experience, where I have been entrusted with significant responsibilities and empowered to lead with confidence and integrity. The company’s unwavering commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce has created an environment where all crew members, regardless of gender, are valued for their unique contributions, fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration that fuels collective success at sea. All in all it has shaped me into a much more confident and competent professional.
4. Please describe a typical seafaring day
As a Deck Cadet there was definitely no such thing, and still no two days are the same.
Thus, every seafaring day as a lady Third Officer is a dynamic and fast-paced journey filled with a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. Whether, for example, I am conducting navigational assessments or monitoring the vessel’s course, my day always begins, continues and ends with keen focus on ensuring the safety and security of the vessel and crew.
Throughout the day I collaborate closely with fellow officers and crew members, overseeing cargo operations, conducting safety drills and navigating (both literally and metaphorically) through various challenges. Whether the immediate task involves liaising with port authorities, preparing navigational plans or conducting safety inspections, and despite the overall demands of the job, during each day there is a strong sense of purpose and also adventure, as we work together to transit the vast expanse of the ocean.
5. What is the one thing that should change to make life better on board?
One major enhancement of the lives of female seafarers would be a policy such that at least two female officers or crew always sail together (though I appreciate that that would depend on numbers, and these are still developing) and also separate routeing for onboard medical support, in order better to address female-specific needs. As for many aspects of seafaring life, like PPE recently, I expect that, following long all-male history, the latter is another refinement that will soon come in.
6. Have you faced any particular challenges as a female seafarer?
Just as when I was a Deck Cadet, so now. Everyone on board faces new challenges every day, with fresh learning and new experiences.
However, I have nowhere encountered anything adverse just because I am female, and as before I do not expect to. In terms of women at sea there is still some way to go, but (as outlined immediately below) things are still improving, with outdated ideas now no more than that, and ever more rare.
7. Female seafarers are still comparatively scarce, but things are changing for the better. Do you agree?
Yes, I do agree, and I am very pleased to see a clear step change across most of our industry, where companies like Synergy are determinedly promoting and fostering diverse working environments both ashore and at sea, and breaking what used to be very firm gender barriers. My recent promotion to Third Officer is not what prompts me to say that. Rather, it is simply an example of it, and part of what Synergy is promoting in the more general sense, which is gender harmony and camaraderie and (on strict merit) progressively more female leadership.
8. What are some of the advantages in having women on board?
Women seafarers offer numerous advantages and significant benefits.
Their diverse perspectives, experiences and problem-solving approaches contribute to greater innovation and creativity in decision-making, and gender diversity fosters more inclusive and supportive team dynamics, leading to better communication, collaboration and camaraderie among crew members.
Research also indicates that diverse teams better prioritise safety and risk management, thereby cultivating a safety-conscious culture, hence fewer accidents and incidents. Furthermore, a positive work environment, facilitated by a diverse crew where everyone respects and values each other’s contribution, leads to better job satisfaction and morale. Also, with an increasing number of women travelling for leisure, more female seafarers – I mean more women actually handling the vessel, rather than just the “hotel” side of cruise ships – can also improve customer relations, generally just by gender familiarity and specifically by better responding to the needs and preferences of female passengers.
Lastly, employing women seafarers helps companies meet what in some places are increasing regulatory requirements, and also demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and equality.
9. What further changes do you think the maritime industry needs to make to improve gender equality and attract more women to a career in seafaring?
On this, I say pretty much what I did in April 2022. As then, the industry needs to continue to visibly and consistently encourage female applicants, and create pathways for women. Synergy does that in various ways – see for example its Chakra Scholarship and similar outreach – and the wider industry needs to do and keep doing things like that. And just as before policies should be implemented in order to completely eradicate what remains of bias – for there is still some, in places, and the stories do get around – and foster equal opportunities and sound career progression for women seafarers. Jobs ashore are fine, but they are not for everyone. I would love to see more women on board, to see the maritime world finally banish the old notion that seafaring is just for men and thus have proof that the whole industry has bought into female seafarers being a good thing, and not just a trend to be tolerated and managed. It is so very much more, and more important, than that.
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
After a great deal more learning and hard work, hopefully sailing as Chief Officer on an LNG carrier.
11. What do you do when you are ashore?
I still love to spend quality time with my friends and family, all of whom are delighted that I am progressing well in my career.
12. If you ever had a shore-based role, what would you miss the most about working at sea?
If this happened I would still most definitely miss the wonderful sunrises and sunsets, and the tranquillity that comes from just gazing out to sea. I would also of course miss the hectic and always varied life of a ship’s officer.
13. Share something interesting about yourself that we might not know
Just as before, I pride myself on being a responsible person, with a strong sense of duty, and I take my work very seriously. I suppose it is experience and greater self-confidence, rather than promotion as such, that is helping me achieve a better balance between personal and professional life, which is very important on board ship, as of course crew members live where they work.
14. What advice would you give to anyone considering a career at sea, and also to young female seafarers?
Formerly a Deck Cadet and now a Third Officer, I give much the same reply as before.
I still find seafaring a very attractive career that offers opportunities to travel and to earn good money. However, it can be tough, both mentally and physically, and it comes with early responsibility and a great many challenges, which I thought I knew something about before but am really seeing in my new role. As I said before, people should be prepared for that, and to everyone, and to young women in particular, my message is believe in yourself and never feel that you are not worthy of your position or rank. While things continue to change for the better, simply because of long history it is still true to say that a female seafarer most certainly earns her place.
