• Aims to become a captain of a vessel in future
• Calls on Sri Lankan women to join the mariner trade

Nayomi Amarasiri, Sri Lanka’s first female mariner to become a qualified deck rating, today serves aboard a cruise liner. She became Sri Lanka’s first deck rating at the age of 30, joining the deck department of cruise ship AIDAsol, and becoming the first female rating seafarer – ‘deck utility’ – in the AIDA fleet.

The Sunday Morning caught up with Nayomi last week at the Colombo Port for an exclusive interview regarding her journey and what the future holds. A student of the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy (MPMA), Nayomi is part of an International Labour Organization (ILO)-funded training programme with the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSSL) and is currently training onboard the vessel AIDAsol.

Following are excerpts:

You have made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan female rating seafarer to be qualified to work in a merchant vessel’s deck department. What are your feelings about coming this far?

I am very happy and proud. I never imagined that I would become the first Sri Lankan rating seafarer. I want to extend my gratitude to the ILO, MPMA, NUSSL, Mercantile Marine Management Ltd., and my family for all of their support, guidance, and the opportunity to become a deck rating.

Becoming the first in any field is challenging. What challenges did you face during your journey?

Being a woman, becoming a seafarer was a challenge. However, I found many in the field being helpful and protective as well. I have overcome gender barriers, and today can motivate other women to follow in my footsteps. 

I have had support from everyone who I have served with thus far. From the Captain to my colleagues, they have all supported me. My senior officers have said it’s the first time some of them have seen a woman working as a deck rating, so they have been supportive. Our crew comprises many nationalities and they are all helpful.

Was going to sea a dream you had as a child? Were you encouraged in this?

As a child, I saw my brothers being in the Navy and in the marine industry, so I grew up with family members being linked to the sea. I originally studied to join the media industry but later changed my mind. 

When I inquired about joining this field, my brothers and the home front supported me. My late father didn’t object to me choosing to follow this field. My mother did have some reservations, but nonetheless she supported me. The Mahapola Academy, Mercantile Marine Management, and the ILO also encouraged me to pursue getting a qualification in the maritime industry.

Who is a deck rating? What do they do on a merchant ship?

There are three main operational departments on board the ship: the deck department, the engineering department, and the catering department. Seafarers in the ship’s deck department are responsible for assisting the ship’s officers, managing ship navigation, cargo operations, and berthing duties. We also secure the ship to the dock, carry out maintenance, and contribute to the operations, safety, and security of the vessel.

Being a deck rating is a challenging job; there are many tasks which are physically demanding. I am glad that I have been able to master them. There are days when the work is tough; we have to work quickly, safely, and accurately when mooring the vessel or operating the tenders (ship’s smaller boats). 

There are some tense moments, like when a pilot (a specialist navigator from a port) comes on board or disembarks, so it is always interesting to be a part of this. Somedays I am tasked with greasing duties, some of which I perform on many parts of the ship. Working as a deck rating is a tough job, but I like it, and my team encourages me.

What was your training like and what does it take to become a deck rating?

I followed a course named ‘Pre-Sea Training for Deck Rating’. The course takes about eight months. It includes training in subjects like seamanship, navigation, rigging works, marine pollution control, on-board training, rope work, ship husbandry, safety, and watch keeping duties. 

There is training on shore and afloat. Because I chose to train aboard a cruise ship – a large passenger vessel – I was required to follow special advanced firefighting, crowd management, and other specialised training as well.

How did you feel when they put you behind the wheel of a ship for the first time and let you navigate a vessel?

It was in October 2022, when I boarded the cruise liner, the Italian-flagged AIDAsol. I was thrilled to work on such a massive ship. I am very thankful for the ILO for giving me that opportunity. When I was allowed to train on the bridge and assist in navigation, I felt very proud and happy. I had done it.

Now that you have graduated from MPMA and are working aboard a cruise liner, what has been your experience?

My contract is for eight months and it has been an interesting and rewarding experience so far. I am part of a large crew that serves aboard. Per-day we work for about 10-12 hours. Once a season is complete, we get vacation for two or three months. 

The deck department has been very supportive, they help me learn and support me in carrying out the duties which we are assigned. My colleagues and other Sri Lankans working for other departments are protective of me. I know I have their support and our officers ensure we receive training opportunities and gain experience under their watch. When we make a port of call, I have had opportunities to ferry the passengers to shore and back using our small tenders (boats).

I have also been privileged to visit nearly three dozen countries during the cruise. It is not an opportunity many get. We normally get a day or two of shore leave at some destinations, where we get to go ashore, explore, and relax. I think this is one of the best benefits of this line of work.

You mentioned that there are benefits to being a seafarer?

The pay is good, there is no denying that. Another benefit is that you get to travel the world at little expense. As a crew of a vessel, sometimes the agents organise transport to and from port. 

I have been able to visit close to 35 countries. You are also recognised as a professional and I find the work enjoyable.

Now that you are a seafarer, what is next for you? What are your plans for the future?

I want to climb the ladder in this field. As a deck rating, I am currently part of a ship’s support team. I would like to be part of the management team; become an officer. I would like to become a captain of a vessel someday.

I would need to complete at least 36 months of sea duties to be able to begin training to become an officer. While there is an officer training programme in Sri Lanka, it is not recognised by the cruise liner I work for. Therefore, I may need to look at training programmes in either the UK or Australia.  

How does your family view your achievement?

My parents and brothers are very happy and proud about me achieving what I set out to achieve. I could not have come this far without their support.

What would you like to tell young Sri Lankan women about joining the marine industry and becoming a seafarer?

I would encourage girls and women to view becoming a seafarer or joining the marine industry as a career option. There are many women aboard ships that travel the oceans, linking countries, moving goods and people. It’s a sector where women participation is growing. 

I think we need to change our mindset to understand that we all can and should have a choice in choosing which field of work we want to join and make a career out of. I hope more women will join this field. 

To Sri Lankan women, I would say to be brave, be of a strong mind, and join the maritime industry. This industry provides stable employment and many benefits.