Salesa Likunicagibula is the only female cadet working on board the MV Brianna, an inter-island vessel of Victoria Marine Limited.

Trying to complete her third stage course in Trade Diploma in Nautical Science at the Fiji Maritime Academy, she is the youngest cadet on the vessel, hoping to finish her practical work before she heads back to school.

This 23-year-old who hails from Vukavu Village, Naceva, in Kadavu says that experiencing life as a seafarer comes with difficulties and hardships.

“I am just getting a taste of being a female seafarer, completing my third stage of practical out at sea before I finish my maritime studies next year,” she said.

“It’s not easy working with males. It takes a strong will power to be up to par physically when it comes to practical work onboard.”

On a daily basis, she carries out her cadet roles on the vessel with tasks like steering on the bridge, taking shifts on night and day watch, even cleaning the toilets and bathrooms of the vessel.

“I enjoy working onboard with the boys, they treat me like a sister and it is more fun to see the islands and travel on a weekly basis,” she said.

Ms Likunicagibula said that her interest for the trade had always been on her mind since most of her family members were seafarers.

“My uncle and some of my male cousins are in this field and I thought to myself that if they can do it, so can I.”

She said her favourite part about working on the vessel was being out at sea.

“It’s amazing just travelling around Fiji, meeting new people and visiting all the islands. We travel to islands like Rotuma, Kadavu and Lau,” she added.

On her day-offs, Ms Likunicagibula likes to spend time with her family and go shopping for her onboard needs.

“Being the only female on the boat it is very important for me to always be prepared with extra things  I need when it comes to hygiene and sanitation,” she said.

Her advice to all young women who want to take up similar career paths to:

“Always see yourself as equal and never allow stereotypes on male dominated work get in the way in the career you want to pursue.”