Pioneering female representation in the Maritime Sector – Rating Nayomi Amarasiri’s Journey

Nayomi Amarasiri, born and educated in Galle, is breaking new ground in Sri Lanka’s maritime sector, achieving success while holding the unique position as the country’s first female in the Maritime Rating role. She has broken new ground in maritime history of Sri Lanka as a determined and a capable young woman who has chosen a challenging career at sea.

A little about Nayomi Amarasiri’s career.

“I owe my career break to Miss Manel Athukorala and Mr. Palitha Athukorala who spotted the talent in me initially. It was made possible through a de-grading course organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) to pioneer Female Maritime Ratings in Sri Lanka for the first time. This course was conducted by the Mahapola Port and The Marine Institute, and participating in it opened up this opportunity for me. Later, I was able to secure employment on Carnival Maritime’s AIDA Sol ship through Mercantile Marine Management,” she stated, crediting these three organizations for enabling her journey.

What are the unforgettable moments in your life at sea?

“One of the most memorable moments was being named Employee of the Month during my very first contract. Also, during an operation in Scotland, I was given the task of steering a passenger boat. It’s not common to see a female rating piloting a boat with passengers, so I’ll always cherish the respect and appreciation I received at the time from everyone,” she states.

How do you find your way in a male led industry?

‘This is a male dominated industry but that doesn’t mean women cannot succeed in it. In Sri Lanka, we have women working as Deck Cadets, but not many as Ratings. Only one other woman and I work as Ratings. “

“ When it comes to performance at sea on a ship, there’s no real gender divide. Both men and women engage in required tasks even lifting heavy  equipment and lending a hand to challenging tasks. There is a strong sense of teamwork because we spend months working with the same group while at sea. If I were to say, ‘I can’t do heavy work because I’m a woman,’ it would undermine that team spirit. So, we all work collectively, and I’m genuinely satisfied with my career. “

“In fact, less women work as Deck Ratings work worldwide. On AIDA Sol, for instance, there may not even be five female Ratings from other countries. Yet, many onboard are very supportive, probably because most deck-related work is usually done by men.”

What advice do you have for young women?

“Young Sri Lankan women may feel hesitant about spending seven to eight consecutive months onboard a ship. But I want to say that this is not a dangerous field. We have safety measures in place. If you have a dream and are passionate about a job, pursue it wholeheartedly. The most important thing is determination and a strong will. If anyone thinks this field is unsuitable for women, I’d like to say that’s not the case. Anyone can pursue any profession. AIDA Sol, the company I work for, is a responsible organization when it comes to safety. I’ve already signed three contracts with AIDA Sol.”

The maritime field is not something women need to fear, Nayomi says in conclusion. If you wish to enter this industry, you too can choose this path, she says.