A Woman's touch

Having been a crew agent specialising in engineers for quite some time, I can say I’ve seen a lot of changes over the past 20 years. One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the lack of both women coming into engineering, and those who are looking for those positions on yachts actually being hired when among a group of male engineers. As part of my job, I am in constant contact with engineers and the talent out there among both genders is undeniable. I know there are issues surrounding accommodation and the crew dynamic, but I do feel it’s a shame that more opportunities don’t open up to these women. I have always had excellent feedback on the women I have placed, and I’ve seen their careers progress, albeit often slowly, through to chief engineer on some very large vessels. But rather than write about these female engineers and what they’ve experienced, I thought it better to let them tell you.

Engineer 1: Y3 Chief Engineer Although this is 2017, the industry has a long way to go in terms of discrimination in many different areas (race, religion, gender, age, olitical correctness). There is some good news, however – once they get to the top andbecome known in their field, life becomes better. The small things don’t bother me at all, such as people sending me emails addressed to ‘Mr’, those who presume I’m a stewardess dressed in overalls helping out in the engine room or people thinking I’m in the wrong classroom while on courses. I do, however, get annoyed when people ask my fellow crewmembers questions such as, ‘Is she any good?’ or ‘Does she get her hands dirty?’, as these would not be asked about a man with the same experience and ticket.

Engineer 2: As a female engineer it is hard, but not impossible,to compete with the males, especially for a chief-engineer or sole-engineer position, but once I am in and prove myself, things easily fall into place. I can recall one occasion doing a yard period in Fort Lauderdale when I was the relief chief/sole engineer on board. When the contractors came, wanting to speak to the chief engineer, as soon as I approached them and introduced myself they started laughing. In those moments I congratulate myself, knowing that I’m working on board as an equal with men who respect me. My advice to captains when selecting crew is that whenever a female’s CV comes to your attention, see us as equally qualified, experienced, skilled candidates who are just as capable and proficient as men.

Engineer 3: Class 2 Unlimited I began my cadetship in 2008 at South Tyneside College. My sea time during my cadetship was not easy – I was met with sexism and hostility on a lot of my vessels. Being a woman in an engine room is too much for ignorant minds to handle. I believe my progress has been stunted by working under these narrow minds, but again I persevered and have just passed my UK Class 2 Unlimited CoC. I plan to sit my chief engineer exams in January 2019, and as for these narrow-minded guys, I’ll be their boss.

Engineer 4: I found my first proper engineering job courtesy of an outstanding captain who saw my potential (and who still supports my career progression to this day and is the first person I call on the way out of the exam office with my certificate in hand), although I still had to face prejudice. Cabin arrangements really do limit the choice of jobs and, unfortunately, as more boats turn to the MLC, most job adverts now ask for men because of cabin arrangements. If a male engineer leaves then they look to replace them with another male engineer – it’s not discrimination, but just the way things are. The answer, of course, is to make it to chief engineer on a big boat and get your own cabin, and I am working on that. I don’t know how many boats have or haven’t considered me for work once they’ve seen my CV, but I can honestly say that all the captains and chief engineers who have hired me have been 100 per cent ‘genderblind’ and have never once questioned my ability to do the job. It means that the boats I work on are more diverse and make for a nicer environment in which to live.