Leaving her family behind in the Philippines to be an Engine Watch Rating (EWR) officer for Goundar Shipping Limited (GSL) was the hardest decision Ma:Rhealyn Ramento to make.

The 28-year-old from Manila arrived in Fiji on March 13 this year.

She is one of the 20 Filipinos that GSL hired to help crew their growing fleet.

Ms Ramento graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and hopes to put her knowledge to good use.

“I have been enjoying my stay in Fiji so far. The people are friendly and approachable so I get to learn a lot. In the Philippines we have a lot of seafarers and to get the opportunity to work here is a blessing,” Miss Ramento said.

“We also have a lot of women seafarers in the Philippines and it is good to also see women in the Fijian maritime industry.

Ms Ramento, said it was never her dream to one day work in the maritime industry.

“I took accounting course in tertiary before I decided to do something in maritime and I have never regretted making that decision,” she said.

“I used to go onboard vessels for three years and after that I worked in the office for two years which was related to my course. After that I decided to go back to the vessel again. So, joining GSL is my first comeback.

“Fiji is just like the Philippines where we value the safety of the seafarers.”

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