When International Maritime Day is approaching, we see — at the boundary between the blue ocean and the vast sky, there is a group of light-chasers. They respond to the tests of wind and waves with professionalism, define self-worth with struggle, and hold up a sky above the deep blue. Among them, female seafarers have made "her power" a proudly blooming scenery on the sea; more SC Shipping seafarers temper their original aspiration in the storms, interpret responsibility with perseverance, measure the vastness of the ocean with passion, and guard every voyage with professionalism.
From the deck at dawn to the bridge full of star light; from the unease of the first mooring to the calmness of shouldering responsibilities alone — these words are the maritime logs written by seafarers with their youth, and also the growth marks precipitated by them in the storms.
Today, let us flip through these logs from the sea and approach these light-chasers on the voyage.
“It is International Women's Day again, and I am sailing on the South China Sea of our motherland, witnessing the tracks carved by countless female seafarers in the storms. Navigation was once a male domain, but now more and more women write legends in the deep blue with professionalism and perseverance. We face towering waves and high temperatures in the engine room directly, yet polish our ingenuity in a small space: from rust removal and mooring to navigation watchkeeping, from chart work to cargo safety control, every step hides reverence for the profession.
Women account for only about 2% of the
global maritime industry, but the rise of China's new generation of female
seafarers has added brilliance to this deep blue. The siren cuts through the
silence of the South China Sea — this sound belongs to navigation, and more
importantly, to countless "her" powers breaking through the waves. We
define ourselves with struggle, win respect with professionalism, and nurture
the glory of working women in the dream-chasing voyage.”
— Anonymous
From a fledgling newcomer full of yearning for the sea to a calm and decisive female officer who can take charge independently now. From the moment I set foot on the deck, the sea has written a brilliant chapter in my life with its most magnificent posture.
Gender is never a boundary; passion and perseverance are the foundation for a long voyage. Days at sea have both calm waves and rough storms. Despite the onslaught of wind and waves, I prefer the magnificence and freedom unique to seafarers.
Four years have passed, with rosy clouds
as paper and waves as ink. In the future, I still wish to hold the helm, chase
the light, and move forward on the deep blue route, letting the figure of women
always march toward this orange glory.”
— Huang Yanan, MT SC LIAONING
“Days on board are like film soaked in seawater, with both the sharp excitement of adrenaline during storms and the tenderness of watching the sunrise on the deck. When the morning light penetrates the clouds and gilds the giant ship, I always remember a sentence: "The sea will not be gentle because you are a woman, but it will reward all those who revere it."
The sea breeze lifts my work clothes,
and the sunburned skin on the back of my neck reminds me: here are the most
real tides, the most open stars, and a group of family members who trust each
other with their backs.”
— Zhang Xiaoqing, MT SC LIAONING
▲ Zhang Yu (4th from right)
“I were asked what is the hardest thing for a girl to work at sea? I want to say, it is not seasickness, not physical labor, but the process of breaking prejudices. SC Shipping has created a good environment for female seafarers. More importantly, the brothers on board have accepted us with actions. When I participated in berthing and unberthing operations for the first time, I stood at the bow preparing cables, and the chief officer guided me throughout the whole process.
During festivals, in the limited space,
the brother seafarers always spread joy infinitely. After dinner, we chat on
the deck. The chief engineer tells stories of his twenty years at sea, the
bosun shares skills of throwing lines, and I talk about why I chose navigation
— because I want to chase the light.”
— Zhang Yu, MT SC CHENGDU
“I were asked if I feel lonely drifting for a long time. In fact, the sea has already taught me tenderness and perseverance. During the long voyage, I have seen the magnificence of the sea covered with golden fragments at sunrise, and also experienced the test of violent shaking of the ship during storms; I have learned to sort out reports in the bumpy cabin, maintain enthusiasm for life in the limited space, and better understand how to collaborate with colleagues of different nationalities, condensing into the power to protect the ship in the collision of languages and cultures.
On International Maritime Day, I want to
share this touching feeling from the deep blue with more people: navigation is
not a romantic journey, but day-to-day responsibility and perseverance. We
measure the width of the ocean with our youth, guard the safety of every voyage
with professionalism, and convey hope and warmth to thousands of lights in the
invisible distance.”
— Zhang Xinping, MT SC TIANJIN
“Life at sea is not easy. In such an environment, I have learned self-discipline and perseverance. Sailors on the deck work against the sea breeze every day, maintaining equipment and the deck, their work clothes often soaked with sweat. But when resting at night, they video call their families, and seeing their children's smiling faces instantly replaces their fatigue with tenderness. At that moment, I suddenly understand that every seafarer is the support of a family behind them. Voyage is not only a job, but also a responsibility.
Standing on the deck facing the wind, I
often think of the poem: "When the sun rises over the sea, night fades
away; spring comes to the riverside as the old year ends." Night will
eventually pass, and morning light will surely come. The real "light-chasing"
is not only sailing to the distance, but also the responsibility and
perseverance on the shoulders. As the saying goes: "One day I will ride
the wind and waves", only by being down-to-earth can we reach the other
side of our hearts.”
— Zhang Zhaonan, MT SC CITRINE
“When I first stepped on this blue battlefield, the safety of oil and chemical products became a creed engraved in my bones, making the position of third officer even more solemn without any slack. At dawn, I stand by the radar and charts, taking AIS and VHF as my eyes to survey all navigation situations, abiding by the collision avoidance principles of "earlier, larger, wider, clearer", plotting the ship's position hour by hour on the ocean, checking the course carefully in narrow waterways. In the mist and darkness, my eyes always stare at the sea, not letting go of any trace of risk; in the busy berthing/unberthing and strict cargo handling, I assist the captain in stably controlling the ship, carefully inspecting cargo tank pressure and oxygen concentration, strictly abiding by anti-static and anti-leakage operating procedures, cooperating with deck brothers to complete trivial procedures such as tank measurement and tank cleaning, and consolidating the safety foundation in details.
Ten months of voyage, traveling through
north and south latitudes, witnessing all kinds of sea conditions. I have
bathed in the equatorial warm sun, watching the sea spread like glazed glass,
with endless tenderness in the sparkling waves; I have also encountered roaring
monsoons, towering waves hitting the ship's side, the ship bumping between wave
peaks and valleys, and the alarm on the bridge piercing the wind and waves.
When the rosy light penetrates the clouds and sprinkles on the calm sea, I
realize that there is no smooth road for ocean voyages. Only with original
aspiration as the rudder and rigor as the sail can we protect peace in the deep
blue.”
— Yue Zhenkun, MT MU MIAN
“In countless days and nights, from main engines to various pump sets, from valves to pipelines, page after page of manuals and item after item of operating parameters have witnessed my gradual progress.
Up to now, I have a different feeling
about engine room work. Every time I finish a job, I increasingly realize the
importance of details. An inconspicuous small part may determine the ship's
navigation. Responsibility and mission weigh on my shoulders, and safety and
standards cannot be relaxed. Every inspection, maintenance, and standardized
operation we perform in the engine room, seemingly ordinary, is directly
related to the safety of the ship and seafarers.”
— Zhang Jinjie, MT SC FALCON
“During navigation, I stick to my
watchkeeping post and keep a close eye on equipment operation; when berthing, I
prepare the engine in advance and troubleshoot hidden dangers to ensure the
ship is safe and seaworthy. In wind and waves, the ship bumps and shakes, but
the engine room lights are always on. I gradually understand that the duty of
engineers is to be the "heart guardians" of the ship, supporting
every safe voyage with responsibility and meticulousness. The sea is silent,
but the original aspiration is heard.”
— Feng Yongpeng, MT YIN GUI
“From an intern full of curiosity about everything on board to a third officer who can take charge independently now, every promotion has been accompanied by countless days and nights of learning and tempering.
Starting from the most basic deck
maintenance with predecessors, learning from their experience and methods of
handling emergencies. Strictly implement the company's management system during
cargo handling to ensure every operation is under control.”
— Feng Jiahao, MT SC FALCON
“The sea never speaks, but teaches me a
lot. I like watching the sea. In these one hundred and twenty days, from the
ebb and flow of the tide, the coming wind and rain, and the experience
precipitated in the eyes of old seafarers, I no longer rush to ask questions,
but learn to understand my heart and firm my dreams in silence.”
— Zhu Yunliang, MT SC FALCON
“The first time I stepped on the gangway of an ocean-going ship was on a drizzling morning. Under my feet was the slightly shaking steel deck, in front of me was the boundless blue sea, and in my ears was the low roar of the main engine — that was the beating heart of the giant ship. At that moment, I completed the first leap from land to sea in my life.
“During my days on board, I learned too
many "first times". The first time I watched the captain accurately
maneuver the ship in thick fog on the bridge, the light spots on the radar
screen were our eyes; the first time I thought about the direction of life
looking at the stars during late-night watchkeeping; the first time I completed
the whole process of astronomical positioning, feeling the wisdom of the
ancients. The careful filling out of every check list is a promise to let every
seafarer return home safely.”
— Li Xiaopeng, MT GLOBAL GLORY
“During navigation watchkeeping, I learned the basic operation of radar and electronic charts, and understood the practical application of route planning and collision avoidance rules. Theoretical knowledge has been verified in practical operation, and I have also found my shortcomings in professional ability. When encountering complex sea conditions and busy waterways, I better understand the importance of staying focused and calm.
Life at sea has a regular rhythm but is
full of challenges. Being far away from land and family requires strong
psychological adjustment ability. Through communication with seafarers, I feel
the importance of teamwork. Every smooth berthing and every safe voyage is the
result of the joint efforts of all seafarers.”
— Pang Shuai, MT SC FALCON
Navigation is not a romantic journey, but day-to-day responsibility and commitment. The sweat on the deck, the concentration on the bridge, and the concern under the stars will all turn into power to move forward, making every departure full of hope and every berthing full of glory.
