I have a message for the leadership at Kings Point, particularly the individuals responsible for the decision to stop the sea year due to harassment.
The sea year is not a semester at sea for college students to have a fun semester away. It’s for young professional mariners to get real experience in their field. It’s an opportunity for cadets to troubleshoot, think on their feet and learn by working in their industry- in the real world.
I didn’t go to Kings Point, but I’ve sailed with many graduates from the Merchant Marine Academy, and many incredibly bright cadets. The sea year really puts Kings Point cadets ahead in the industry, as that year at sea on several different vessels is priceless experience. I can honestly say that all my Kings Point cadets have been hard-working, smart young people who I would appreciate sailing with again.
Who am I to speak about Kings Point if I didn’t go there? Well I’ve been sailing professionally for 9 years. I’ve worked on research vessels, fishing vessels, container ships, heavy lift ships, car carriers, navy ships, tugboats and passenger ferries. Sure, I’ve seen my share of harassment happening on and off ships. Both directed at me, and directed at others. I reacted like so many other women before me have done- I spoke up. I did something about it. I defended people who were being harassed and I defended myself.
We cannot put our heads in the sand. If I did nothing, or if I simply complained to the company or to the Academy that people were acting wrong and expected them to “save” me because I said a “safe word” nothing would ever be done- no lessons would be learned and bad behavior, harassment and general ignorance would continue.
Many strong, courageous, smart and hard working women came before me. They did not get where they are today because they complained about harassment, or because they simply let it happen. They spoke up. Women like Tuuli Messer Bookman, Deatra Thompson and countless other brave women who went to sea before me. They worked hard, they spoke up, they changed this industry’s attitude towards women.
A safe word isn’t going to change this industry’s mind about women, blacks, gays, or anyone who feels marginalized or harassed. It will only affirm in people’s minds that these incidents are just “part of sailing”.
We need to teach these cadets to stand up for themselves. We need to teach captains and other senior officers to stand up and be leaders who are progressive and fair. Officers on the management level need to know how to effectively handle harassment on their ships, not sweep it under the rug.
To all the Young women and men coming into this industry. You are strong, smart, brilliant and courageous. Don’t be deterred by bullies. If you are hard-working, honest, and carry yourself with integrity, you should have the strength and ability to stand up for yourself, to right the wrongs, to teach this industry that you won’t put up with harassment. That said, you still have to work hard, you still need to take constructive criticism- after all you have to begin somewhere. Be humble, be open to learning, be proactive.
These are not “children”, Mr. Jaenichen. These are adults. They’re old enough to work, they’re old enough to support their families, they are old enough to lay their lives down for their country. Don’t treat them like weaklings who need to be protected. Empower them to protect themselves- to protect each other- to change the industry’s mind about “Academy Kids”. If we baby these young people- we will get babies. I, for one, would rather sail with able professionals. I don’t care if you are black, white, female, transgender, republican or lactose intolerant- if you can do your job safely, if you are a good shipmate and contribute to the operation of the vessel- I’m happy to sail with you. I’m happy to teach you, to learn from you, to collaborate with you to make this industry more tolerant and safe.
It’s great that you’re having this week’s Call to Action. Obviously there are people who need an attitude adjustment. The academies need to understand how to turn out mature, able officers who are going to carry themselves with integrity and bravery- speak up for themselves and others, prove themselves by their hard work, do their jobs and provide safe working atmospheres for their crews and the cadets who follow.