Partnership gives seafarers cadet ship opportunity

FIVE young seafarers are undertaking a three-year maritime cadetship through a partnership between Australia, Steamships, China Navigation Company and Pacific Towing.
Glenda Amu, Lyllelah Kunai, Jamie-Lee Baim, Amy-Lee Turia and Irma Rua are five of 20 female cadets studying to qualify as officers of the watch deck and engine room under the Australia Awards Maritime scholarships programme for women which began last year.
“The scholarships involve study in PNG and sponsored international work experience at sea,” a statement from the Australian Award said.
“The Australia Awards maritime scholarships are addressing the skills shortage in PNG’s transport industry and contributing to positive cultural change in the maritime sector.
“Awardees develop the knowledge and skills to drive change and make positive contributions to social and economic development.”
The five during a recent visit to Port Moresby told of the ports they had visited and experiences they obtained in a recent six-month training stint at sea.
Between October 2018 and April 2019, the five undertook practical experience on board the mv Szechuen, gaining important skills and learning more about the international maritime industry – and themselves.
“At first it was quite new to us, working with such a multi-national crew on board,” Lyllelah Kunai said.
“So, we had to get used to working in a new environment.”
Her fellow awardees expressed similar sentiments.
“But then as time went along, we became friends,” cadet Glenda Amu said.