Opportunity is not evenly distributed, but potential is.
Captain Alexandra Hagerty has set a course she does not intend to deviate from.
The determined United States Naval Ship (USNS) captain, currently in charge of the research vessel USNS Invincible, speaks with utter conviction about the lack of women within the maritime industry, and especially the difficulties faced by those from developing nations that dream of a life at sea.
“There are so many talented women that just don’t get a chance to establish themselves,” she notes.
“The reasons behind that are complex and diverse. To start with seafaring is still not a typical career path for women and, in some countries, cultural taboos may act as hurdles to participation. Nationality can be an added issue, as shipping and crewing companies tend to recruit from favored regional talent pools. For example, in their study from 2021 the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development identified that four of five of the leading nations to provide seafarers and officers are in Asia, with the Philippines ranking first. So, if you’re say, African, how do you get on board? There’s an unspoken prejudice at work.”
Hagerty adds that “sea time” is essential to obtaining a deck or engine officer license, meaning young women need to find ways of gaining experience if they’re to stand a chance of building meaningful international careers.
“It’s tough to get those opportunities, especially if you’re from an underrepresented demographic,” she states. “That’s why they need a helping hand. And that’s why Captains Without Borders was born.”
The two percent problem
Captain Hagerty is one of a pitifully small number of high profile female officers within the industry. According to the International Maritime Organization, women still constitute only around two percent of the global maritime workforce – a figure that has failed to show significant development over the course of the last decade.
Hagerty is well aware of the obstacles, both cultural and historical, that limit participation, adding that the profession is demanding, can be intimidating (in terms of being ‘isolated’ at sea with mostly male crews) and has obvious implications for family life. However, she is also adamant that “it is a fantastic career path”, noting:
“I cannot think of another job that delivers this level of freedom and opportunity, with the ability to travel all over the world, on different vessels, having life-changing experiences. Yes, it is tough, requiring grit and integrity, but it’s also hugely rewarding. And the camaraderie that quickly builds between crewmates is something special. I can’t imagine getting close to that in an office environment.”
According to Hagerty, one issue is that there isn’t enough focus on such positives, discussing challenges by default.
“In that way we don’t highlight the opportunities to young women out there – we don’t show them that this is an excellent career path to consider. So, we need a ‘marketing’ change as well as a structural change within the industry.”
We have to build maritime as a viable option, for everyone.
Opening doors to diversity
But, adopting a role of devil’s advocate, is diversity really so important when it comes to life at sea?
Hagerty, who started her own career sailing tall ships for France’s Etoile Marine Cruises when she was just 18, looks justifiably amused by the question.
“Are you asking why does an international industry that keeps the global economy functioning, serves the whole world and impacts upon the environment need the broadest possible range of perspectives, talent and ambition to succeed?” She replies, pausing for the answer to be contemplated, before continuing: “The International Labor Organization has been quite clear that there is a shortage of seafarers and a real need to improve diversity within maritime – recruiting women is an obvious answer. We need to engage people from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic classes to make this industry truly sustainable.”
“But, as I mentioned, to do that we need to provide opportunity and guidance, showcasing role models to demonstrate the potential, as well as mentoring young talent. However, we need to open the doors first.”
Hagerty’s organization aims to do just that.
Proactive platform for change
Captains Without Borders was formed by Hagerty in 2021 as a direct response to the issues already detailed. The charity is focused on providing assistance for “disadvantaged female cadets” that need a helping hand to access the opportunity many of their male counterparts take for granted. (See Lulu Chilumo Mwangulu’s story at the end of the article.)
CWB primarily comes to their aid by providing financial scholarships. These help fund deck and engine studies at accredited maritime universities, as cadets work towards unlimited tonnage licenses and their first officer positions. In addition, CWB, through its developing global network, works to secure vital experience for its scholars on working vessels.
Initially this is being done in conjunction with medical charity Mercy Ships, with CWB covering the costs involved in volunteering onboard one of the organization’s advanced hospital ships.
“This is something I have done myself,” Hagerty says, explaining that she recently captained the 152-meter long, 4,150-deadweight tonnage (DWT) Africa Mercy vessel, sailing to the aid of communities in sub-Saharan Africa, which otherwise don’t have access to modern medical amenities. “It’s a fantastic experience and a win-win for cadets, allowing them to gain invaluable experience while contributing to an incredible cause. We’re proud to partner with Mercy Ships.”
But, she stresses, this is just the start.
Partnering for progress
Hagerty, who also works as an ‘expert maritime witness’ for a number of law firms, is looking to build CWB’s, and her own, networks so the charity can work in closer partnership with shipping firms and other industry stakeholders.
Real change only works when people do it together.
“Shipping has an obvious challenge here and we’d like to play our part in finding a solution, but we can’t do it alone,” Hagerty comments.
“We need partners from shipping companies to help train and mentor cadets onboard their vessels. This would be a gamechanger in terms of giving them their first step up the career ladder. We also need donations from forward thinking companies and stakeholders who want to actively support a progressive cause and increase diversity within maritime.”
Get onboard
Hagerty stresses CWB is about more than seeing a few new faces come onboard, it’s about fairness, equality, talent-acquisition and a sustainable future for our industry. “Who wouldn’t want to play a part in that? So, please, get in touch if you think you can help.”
Many already have, she adds, with a “first rate” team and board in place at CWB, a good group of volunteers and a new partnership recently signed with international maritime and ocean industries exhibition Nor-Shipping.
“This is both a sign that we’re being taken seriously, and a unique opportunity to take a global industry platform and connect with decision makers,” she says, concluding:
“Great social enterprises only ever work when there’s a groundswell of support behind them… and I think we’re building that. At the end of the day you can give opportunities to those with potential by partnering with us, volunteering or donating. We’d love you to get onboard and be the change this industry needs.”
Full steam ahead for Mwangulu
Lulu Chilumo Mwangulu of Kenya is the personification of shipping’s potential/opportunity challenge. An academic high-achiever within her local schooling system, Mwangulu set her sights early on a career within the maritime industry.
Her talent saw her achieve scholarships to, amongst others, Ecole Centrales University in France, where she was accepted to study Marine Engineering. However, her family was unable to come up the required funds to meet their portion of the scholarships. Refusing to be blown off course, Mwangulu raised the funds to study the same discipline in Kenya, successfully achieving her Masters degree. She is now serving on local marine traffic, with the ultimate dream of crewing icebreakers in the Arctic and, one day, designing zero-emission icebreaking ships.
Captains Without Borders is hoping to help this future maritime star, working to establish a network of mentors, while awarding her a scholarship to continue her education and training.
