Megan Arnott is a marine pilot with the Port Authority of New South Wales DCN interviewed her as part of its coverage of the IMO’s International Day for Women in Maritime.
First of all, could you briefly tell us about yourself, your role and what it entails?
I first went to sea as a deck cadet, straight out of high school and with very little insight into the maritime industry. During my time at sea, I always envied the role of the marine pilots, the local experts, employed in ports across the world, who embark your ship and use their knowledge and experience to navigate safely into and out of port. To me, this was the ultimate job, getting to complete the most interesting and challenging part of any voyage, the manoeuvring of ships on arrival to and departure from port. No tank washing, cargo dig outs, or months away for these lucky individuals.
I was offered the opportunity to live the dream of that ultimate job four years ago when I started with the Port Authority of NSW as a marine pilot in the ports of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. Not only do I feel I have the ultimate job, but I get to do it in what I think is one of the best ports in the world – Sydney.
The pilots in Sydney service a variety of ship types across the two ports, including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships and passenger ships. All these vessels coming in a wide range of sizes, some over 300 metres in length, some with a displacement over 120,000 tonnes and some with drafts over 14 metres. Both ports operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Only occasionally will pilotage be suspended when the weather makes it unsafe for ships to be manoeuvred or unsafe for pilotage transfer operations to take place. We currently have 20 pilots servicing the two ports, each manoeuvring up to three ships in a shift of up to 12 hours in duration.
What brought you into the industry – how did you wind up in your role?
It was pure luck (or fate), that I started on the maritime pathway. Growing up sailing and spending a substantial amount of my time around water, it seemed only natural that I gravitated towards a career involving the same. I was, however, completely unaware of what the maritime industry entailed. All I was aware of was cruise ships, and the only position I knew of was captain.
Thankfully, while still at high school, I came across the Australian Maritime College information stall at a university open day and asked how to become captain of a cruise ship. They pointed me in the direction of the first course I would need to complete and set me on my path. I stuck with it, working my way through the qualifications and all ranks on a variety of vessels (I never did make it onto cruise ships, until piloting), and I took an opportunity ashore to work as a marine adviser for a few years, before finally finding myself in the position I am in today.
Could you tell us about some of the barriers you have encountered in the industry and how you overcame them?
In general, the shrinking of the Australian merchant fleet over the past couple of decades has made it increasingly difficult to firstly get a start onboard, but to also find the promotions to work up through the ranks and gain much sort after experience, which will enable you to reach your goal.
As a woman in the industry, I consider myself lucky, I think back and have had predominately positive experiences. However, being a minority in the industry you stand out like a sore thumb, and it does have minor setbacks. Whenever someone new came onboard there was the never-ending assumption, even when I was master, that I must be the cook, steward, or cadet, it is hard to avoid traditional stereotyping.
I made the very necessary choice early on to never let it bother me and to get on with the job, but should this even be a decision that needs to be made?
What has been the biggest positive change for women in the industry you’ve seen?
The biggest positive change I have seen over the last few years, is that women in the industry are supporting one another. Social media avenues and communication platforms have made it easier than ever for people in the industry to connect, discuss and support one another. Sharing experiences and knowledge is extremely empowering. There are not many of us in the industry but through these platforms we are able to connect with women right across the world, finding strength in numbers and finding someone we can relate to.
What needs to change to encourage more women in the workforce?
I think our attitude needs to change, though this is not going to happen overnight. Women in the workforce needs to be normalised, and apart from increasing the numbers themselves, I am not sure how we achieve this. Being a minority, and a focus point, is not always comfortable.
We also need to promote the industry and what it has to offer. There are so many opportunities, but the vast majority of Australia knows little about the maritime industry. I can attest to this; I knew nothing about it leaving high school and I am still constantly explaining to people what I do and what the industry is, for an island nation who relies so heavily on this industry this is mind blowing.
What does International Day for Women in Maritime mean to you?
To me International Day for Women in Maritime is all about sharing and empowering. I feel rather embarrassed sharing my own experience and thoughts on the industry, after all I have achieved no more than thousands of other people in the industry. But I am willing to share in the hope that maybe, one person that might be interested, may see that it is not difficult and that anything is possible, you just have to do it. I also see it as a development opportunity for companies to learn from the experiences and may be able to do things better in the future.
