Jessica Mac Donald’s inspiring maritime career

POLOKWANE – Jessica Mac Donald (36) would have never thought a cruise at the age of thirteen would influence her path to becoming a chief navigation officer on cargo vessels.

“As a teen, my parents took our family on a cruise and the Third Officer on board showed me around the navigation bridge and I found it fascinating. In my Gr 12 year, Dr Joost Heystek assisted me with research and getting placement in the Maritime Department at The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) where I studied maritime.”

MacDonald grew up in Tzaneen but moved to Polokwane during her high school years and has been in the maritime industry for the past 17 years.

“This was definitely a dream come true. When I look back, I cannot believe that I actually have come this far as I have experienced many setbacks. Some of my duties include being responsible for safe navigation and the day-to-day running of the ship as second in command, controlling the seaworthiness of the vessel and watertight industry and I am responsible for carrying out maintenance of the vessel. In addition, I am also responsible for the safe discharging, loading, carriage and care of cargo, including fuel tank rotation & freshwater management,” she told the Polokwane Review-Observer.

Jessica also controls and supervises officers and ratings’ daily working plans and rest hours and is overall in charge of checks of lifesaving appliances and firefighting equipment and she is the designated medical, security, ballast water management and garbage management officer.

“I also instruct and instruct and supervise all crewmembers in the use of safety, environmental protection, firefighting and lifesaving equipment. During emergencies, I take command of the on-scene response teams.”

Mac Donald says as of 2021, the Baltic and International Maritime Council/International Chamber of Shipping (BIMCO/ICS) has reported that 1.2% of the International Maritime workforce is female.

“When I was a junior I had a few times where my competence was questioned because of my gender but since becoming a senior officer it does not happen anymore, well at least not to my face. You have to get the job done without emotion and diplomatically no matter what anybody says. Seafarers face many challenges regardless of gender. While on board we come together, support each other to achieve a common goal and make sure we all get home safe.”

She continues to say over the years there has been many changes safe guarding all seafarers onboard and mindsets are changing as more females are entering the maritime workforce.

“The most judgement I get is from non-seafarers because I am not living a traditional life. Just because it is different does not make it wrong.”

Loneliness, missing her family and friends and their important milestones is also quite challenging.

Other challenges include a high-stress working environment, fatigue, heavy weather, injury risk, maritime piracy, and political conflict. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when countries were closing their borders, many seafarers were stuck onboard.

Apart from all the challenges, Mac Donald enjoys it when she manages challenges successfully.

“During clear sky nights, I enjoy star gazing and never cease to be amazed by the vastness of the galaxy. On rare occasions, I get to see amazing nature such as pods of whales, schools of dolphins and sting rays, sea turtles, seals, bioluminescence, a wide variety of sea birds and the occasional shark. This job has taught me to remain humble and grateful for all the small things. August was a treacherous time on the South African coast with the weather conditions. My favourite part is when the weather has passed, standing on the bridge wing, watching the dolphins and just be grateful that we have been spared.”

She says one of her most memorable moments was conducting a successful medical evacuation from the remote Atlantic Island of Ascension and transporting the patient to South Africa.

After so many years in the industry, Mac Donald advised girls that would like to follow in her footsteps to stay focused and keep your head down.

“It doesn’t matter which path you choose, there will always be people that will discourage you. Stay focused, keep your head down and go at your goals boldly and unapologetically. You do not have to prove anything to anybody except yourself. Do not lose faith in your abilities.”