Article

An Interview with India’s First female Marine Pilot, Reshma Nilofer


published on 13 March 2023 211 -

Article published on www.HumanRightsAtSea.org (7th March 2023), picture screenshot from YouTube

Marine Pilot, Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi MNI broke the bias and started her career as a trainee pilot in 2011 and she has never looked back.

She is not only India's first woman marine pilot, she is India's only woman marine pilot, and one among an elite few women River Pilots in the world.

Reshma qualified as a fully-fledged Pilot in 2018 and has gone on to sailing onboard some of the world’s largest vessels, to being awarded the Highest Civilian Award by the Government of India, which was presented to her by President Ram Nath Kovind in 2019.

She is a motivational speaker advocating for women in shipping and women’s rights, encourages more women seafarers to join the shipping industry and strives to make a difference in the world.

During this interview, Reshma was working at sea in Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, India (formally known as Port of Kolkata) – the first major port in India and one of the toughest pilotage waters in the world, but she took the time to speak to Human Rights at Sea about life as a woman in the maritime industry; the good, the bad and the ugly.

What do you think are some of the other biggest challenges faced by women in maritime?
"Women in maritime are often forced to choose between a career or a child. It is unfair because gender was not given to anyone by choice, nor was the blessing of being able to produce the next generation workforce. Women need to go on “sick leave”, or they are tagged as “medically unfit”. When women go on maternity breaks, we see a huge dropout post-maternity break because they aren’t allowed to return where they left off. There isn’t enough regulatory support to enable a smooth return to sea or a transition ashore. Hence Maternity discrimination stands first.

The second important issue is how sexual harassment cases are handled. Due to its sensitive nature, we usually don’t get to hear the end of these complaints or enquiries or corrective actions taken, if at all. Most of these reports are frowned upon; victims are victimised further and or sacked from work because they reported against a “senior management person” who served the company for way more years than the victim. Closed-door resolutions are usually given, and the board of investigators are also - all men who usually don’t understand the woman’s perspective."

Do you believe you have always been treated fairly & had access to advance in your career?
"Big NO. At every step, I faced discouraging people, those who stereotyped me at every opportunity. When I was given a lot of visibility for being a woman leader/pioneer in the maritime, I was met with jealous eyes more than encouragement and applause.

I was initially questioned if I could become a pilot, then if I could get a partner, would my family ‘allow’ me to work this odd job with erratic schedules. Now, if I ever became a mother, would I be able to manage motherhood and work-life balance? I must keep defending and proving my ability and competence to people who still cannot accept women coming to a bridge and calling out commands.

Advancing in my career, well, the options are few and far between. Also, no special affirmative actions are taking place to enable me to get into other leadership roles."

...
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

0

Video Polaris Pilot Boat Antwerp Belgium

published on 15 March 2022

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

1

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Article Port of Townsville to expand pilot boat fleet

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 24 January 2020

The Port of Townsville, northern Australia’s largest multi-cargo port, is expanding its fleet of pilot boats to four.

The Port has awarded Hart Marine a $3 million contract to build a 17.3m ORC vessel that is due for delivery later in 2020. The new high-tech vessel will be slightly longer but have the same design features as the PV Osprey which was delivered by Hart Marine in late 2017.

0

Article ISPO code and Control Manual (latest edition 1/1/22)

by ISPO - International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations - published on 4 January 2022

The latest edition of the ISPO Code and Control Manual has just been published: From January 1st 2022, the new ISPO Code and ISPO Control Manual will come into effect.

0

Article Norwegian Coastal Administration is working on salvaging Eemslift Hendrika

published on 7 April 2021

Norwegian coast guard said that there is still a risk that the ship may capsize and pose an environmental
hazard.The ship is still drifting, and is located 40-50 nautical miles west of Alesund. KV Sortland is still on
site, and they are the Coastal Administration's eyes and ears.

1

Article Eemslift Hendrika is secured – will be towed to safe harbour

published on 8 April 2021

The Norwegian Coastal Administration mobilized according to their contingency plan against acute pollution, salvage crews managed to get on board the drifting vessel Eemslift Hendrika and managed to connect it to the two tugboats, and the vessel is now being towed to harbour in Ålesund.

0

Article Trelleborg takes over distribution of Port of Auckland’s eMPX maritime pilotage software

published on 12 March 2024

Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure has successfully finalised an exclusive licensing agreement with the Port of Auckland Ltd (POAL).

1

Video Offshore Pilot Transfer

published on 22 April 2021

Raw footage of a an offshore Pilot transfer.
More pictures and an occasional video can be found at
https://instagram.com/sea_weathered?igshid=3qbu808ioyqf

0

Article Sandy Hook Pilot Timothy M. Murray lost his life while boarding a ship (08/05/2020)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 6 August 2020

On August 5, 2020 at approximately 10:30 pm, Sandy Hook Pilot Captain Timothy M. Murray was involved in an incident while boarding a tanker vessel inbound to the Port of New York & New Jersey. He sustained injuries after falling from a pilot ladder and was evacuated to a local hospital where his injuries proved to be fatal.

1