What is it like for women in the industry?

[emmamacd123]

I have been offered a cadetship with Evergreen Marine UK, I can either accept it or wait until January to maybe be offered something with another company but there is obviously no guarantee, my main worry is if I go with Evergreen, what is it like being a woman within the company?

[alistairuk]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting a position!

I know of one woman who was a cadet with Evergreen (many years ago), she enjoyed it and is now happily sailing as a staff captain 13 years later on a cruise line. Evergreen will not offer you a position on completion and training (as with any company) is very much down to the crew you have and your attitude - I'm sure one of the present Evergreen cadets (or former) will be along shortly...

January is traditionally a much smaller intake with fewer companies actively recruiting for a January start. Did you apply to other companies/agencies for the September start? It's still early in the year and many will still be recruiting over the coming months - there's nothing to stop you from accepting the Evergreen cadetship while still applying elsewhere if you wish to do so.

[emmamacd123]

Thank you, that's really great to hear a woman at Evergreen enjoyed her time with Evergreen!

I applied to as many as I could for September that I could see were offering cadetships, but am aware it is early to hear back for recruitment, so I am worried if I turn it down I may not get offered anything else with covid being an issue.

Thank you for your feedback that has been helpful!

[agibbs98]

You can always accept Evergreen and pull out if another, better offer arises. Many do this, you can pretty much do it up to the last few days before your start date. Nobody really loses out as your spot with Evergreen would likely be handed out to another prospective cadet as a last minute opportunity.

[EH75]

I was an Evergreen Cadet and sailed with a female cadet during my time there. Whilst I was chipping and painting they gave her a dustpan and brush to clean up the chippings....That wasn't an isolated incident and I don't think the crew quite had the same view on female equality that you might be used to. They weren't mean to her or anything but I certainly don't think she got quite the same opportunities as the male cadets. Other strange things at that company included an "allowance" of 2 toilet rolls per month. You had to ask the chief mate if you wanted more. That was weird enough for the blokes but obviously caused her even more problems. I didn't find the training particularly great overall and wouldn't recommend it. I'd advise waiting for a better offer (or accepting the current offer and knocking it back if you get a better offer later on). Also do they still recruit through SSTG? No other companies available through them that might be better atm or was Evergreen all you were offered?

I mean that's just my thoughts and experience you might have a great time who knows.

[sailorj93]

From what women I've sailed with have told me, expect foreign crews to be a little 'scared' of you... I suspect that accounts for the above from EH75 too - sweeping up the chippings is a nicer job than chipping, but they kind of miss the point you need to learn about everything...

I'd recommend accepting and then keeping your options open. Nobody I have known who sailed with Evergreen had a terrible time, most had complained that they didn't get the best teaching - single nationality crews and Brit cadets but typically enjoyed seeing the ports, getting some shore leave and the ship's certainly didn't look bad onboard.

That said, none of them had a great time... Keep your options open! Good luck!

[emmamacd123]

I was an Evergreen Cadet and sailed with a female cadet during my time there. Whilst I was chipping and painting they gave her a dustpan and brush to clean up the chippings....That wasn't an isolated incident and I don't think the crew quite had the same view on female equality that you might be used to. They weren't mean to her or anything but I certainly don't think she got quite the same opportunities as the male cadets. Other strange things at that company included an "allowance" of 2 toilet rolls per month. You had to ask the chief mate if you wanted more. That was weird enough for the blokes but obviously caused her even more problems. I didn't find the training particularly great overall and wouldn't recommend it. I'd advise waiting for a better offer (or accepting the current offer and knocking it back if you get a better offer later on). Also do they still recruit through SSTG? No other companies available through them that might be better atm or was Evergreen all you were offered?

I mean that's just my thoughts and experience you might have a great time who knows.

Yes It has been through SSTG and it was the only company available for sponsorship starting in September, I am a bit worried leaving it until January incase I am left with nobody to sponsor me. Is the training enough to get you through the course or was it difficult?

I think I might end up doing what you are suggesting and hold out for January, nobody seams to say too many good things about the company also from what I have tried to find from other questions and answers on this website, I am glad you have given me your insight, thank you!

[emmamacd123]

From what women I've sailed with have told me, expect foreign crews to be a little 'scared' of you... I suspect that accounts for the above from EH75 too - sweeping up the chippings is a nicer job than chipping, but they kind of miss the point you need to learn about everything...

I'd recommend accepting and then keeping your options open. Nobody I have known who sailed with Evergreen had a terrible time, most had complained that they didn't get the best teaching - single nationality crews and Brit cadets but typically enjoyed seeing the ports, getting some shore leave and the ship's certainly didn't look bad onboard.

That said, none of them had a great time... Keep your options open! Good luck!

I am being more swayed to postpone until January, it doesn't look like many people say too positive things about the sponsoring company. I would like to make sure I get all the training rather than just hold a dustpan and brush haha

is it all companies that are a little scared of women, or just Evergreen you have heard of?

[750XL]

I'd wait for another sponsoring company if I were you. Never heard a good thing about Evergreen, especially the food on board etc.

There's loads of companies (think North Sea offshore etc) that have a lot of female crew.

[agibbs98]

Not all companies are scared of women, I believe this is more a reflection of some of the the kinds of nationalities you'll meet deep sea - sadly we're all aware that a woman in certain parts of the Middle East doesn't have the same rights as a woman in the UK, same goes for a lot of the world. I don't think any seafarer would dare make your life worse because you're female but you may find things like the above - given alternative jobs because the crew are a bit backwards (like an old grandad accidentally being racist).

I thought it was the norm to send female cadets away in twos so they didn't feel isolated deep sea, every woman I know either spent their cadetship on passenger boats with lots of female company or went on container ships and the likes with another female cadet. Male cadets are also seem to have the same treatment and often go in pairs if they're training on a cargo ship.

I've only worked for P&O Ferries and Royal Caribbean and women are treated exactly the same as men, cadets or qualified.

[sailorj93]

I maybe mis-typed there.. I mean the crew act a little 'scared' around a female - rather than the office. Especially crews from India/Philippines (Evergreen).

All of the females I have sailed with (deep-sea cargo) have said similar. For example the watchman will not say a word to her the entire watch other than yes/no. For months on end, this gets a bit wearing. With me (and other guys) they are chatty. I think it's a cultural thing, most guys from the Far East (and actually at sea full stop outside NW Europe and America) tend to lean towards thinking women should not be working at sea. Not because of ability, but culturally the women is the home-maker. Old fashioned? Yes. Sexist? Yes. But that is unfortunately the reality.

There are organisations to help women at sea and they will be able to give a much better view of what it is like - always hard for a guy to say how hard it is!! Also take what I'm saying with a pinch of salt, stereotyping is wrong. You'll meet all sorts at sea, from the annoying to the superbly helpful.

[Waaarrrggghhh]

I was given the choice between evergreen or north star (also via SSTG). Everyone on here recommended going with north star rather than evergreen.. mainly because the crew are british so your training will be better, but that's not always the case. But then, going with evergreen will give you very valuable experience with cargo ops and going frequently in and out of ports, plus you get to see the suez or panama canal.

As for shoreleave though, forget about it. It's a thing of the past sadly.

[750XL]

I was given the choice between evergreen or north star (also via SSTG). Everyone on here recommended going with north star rather than evergreen.. mainly because the crew are british so your training will be better, but that's not always the case. But then, going with evergreen will give you very valuable experience with cargo ops and going frequently in and out of ports, plus you get to see the suez or panama canal.

As for shoreleave though, forget about it. It's a thing of the past sadly.

Container ship experience is useless as a Brit

[sailorj93]

I was given the choice between evergreen or north star (also via SSTG). Everyone on here recommended going with north star rather than evergreen.. mainly because the crew are british so your training will be better, but that's not always the case. But then, going with evergreen will give you very valuable experience with cargo ops and going frequently in and out of ports, plus you get to see the suez or panama canal.

As for shoreleave though, forget about it. It's a thing of the past sadly.

I would still recommend North Star over EG - having people who can speak decent English can make the world of difference to your experience onboard and general wellbeing. As you say, not necessarily a guarantee of a good training experience, but at least you have someone to moan to who will actually understand.

[Waaarrrggghhh]

I would still recommend North Star over EG - having people who can speak decent English can make the world of difference to your experience onboard and general wellbeing. As you say, not necessarily a guarantee of a good training experience, but at least you have someone to moan to who will actually understand.

well, just be warned, some of the scottish accents are absolutely mad but you get used to them quickly