IF YOU LEARN THE SEA YOU WILL FEEL THE SEA

Ayse Asli BASAK, Port Captain, Mid-Ship Group LLC

I come from a family who lives at sea – not literally on a ship but on a boat since my childhood. My memories are full of our fishing and sailing days in Dardanelles Strait with my mom and dad. I can say that the first person who taught me how to be strong at sea, especially in rough seas, was my mom. Growing up surrounded by the sea as a way of life got into my blood and somehow became my destiny in a different way.

My journey in the maritime sector officially started with me attending the Maritime Faculty in 2008 as a cadet. I was only 18 years old when I made my first voyage on a bulk carrier where we sailed through the Gulf of Aden, (yes sometimes with pirates around) the Indian Ocean right up to China and then Australia to the Western Pacific Ocean. Being young was tough, being a woman was challenging, but my admiration for the sea gave me enough motivation and a lot of courage.

I have a lot of stories to narrate like the time that we sailed during monsoons in the Indian Ocean, then there was the hurricane period in the Atlantic Ocean and even the typhoons in China Sea with about 10 Beaufort weather scale in rough swells. This was a real adventure that I did not want to leave but unfortunately my health issues led me to a shore-based job where I pursued a career ashore as ‘Safety Superintendent‘ first during my long treatment. In spite of all odds, I did not leave shipping and was still connected to the ships!

A shore-based career in the maritime industry after a long sailing period has its own challenges for seafarers during the adaptation period from sailing at sea to working ashore.

I was lucky that my seniors and mentors in the office always supported me and my career aspirations, more so, during my sickness period. After my recovery, I again started to attend ships but this time as a Superintendent. During this time, I also completed my Master’s degree in International Trade as I wanted to discover new areas of shipping. I am a non-stop learner and the shipping industry has huge areas to discover including something new everyday. Matching my skills to this industry was not a coincidence for me, because I learnt from my parents that “If you learn the sea, you will feel the sea” .

Now, I work as a ‘Port Captain’ for an international company and handling vessel operations. Additionally, I am a ‘regular’ Board Member in many maritime organizations in Turkey and a social entrepreneur on empowering more women at sea. I also volunteer to present studies on shipping finance, ship investment, strategic competitiveness, digitalization and innovation in the shipping industry which are all my discovery areas. During this journey in both the technical, commercial and non-profit side of the shipping industry, I have learnt a basic motto in my life: “Never stop it” . Life is always full of different challenges, but life does not know that we have enough courage to survive and so success will naturally catch up in a surprising way.

Quotes from Georgia

“In Georgia, men mastered the maritime professions. We were able to break that barrier because we had a strong intention to do what we love. You will not receive an award if you do not fight for it” .

– Lali Khvedelidze (Batumi Navigation Teaching University – Chancellor – Head of Administration, Chairman of Representative Council, Member of Partnership Council, BTNU Founder)

“Your life is your message to the world, make sure it is inspiring. With our professional choices, I think many women are inspired to follow their dreams” .

– Ekaterine Gvarishvili

“The world is changing rapidly, full of new challenges. I am glad that through my work I contribute to the sustainable development of my country. Always believe that there is no unattainable goal or insurmountable task!”

– Elita Khvedelidze (Owner of Marine Medical Centre “Sagittarius”)

“For me, success is doing something that will benefit my country. I am happy that my daily work serves the future - to raise the young generation and promote their career growth" .

– Ekaterine Chikovani (Batumi Navigation Teaching University – Chief Specialist of Quality Assurance Service)

“Self-improvement and constant wish to learn, to discover new things are moving forces of success in the Maritime Field” .

– Rusudan Diasamidze (Head of Quality Development and Assurance Department Batumi High Maritime Engineering School ANRI, LLC)