Deck cadet Danique Moore answers the sea’s call

A LIFE at sea isn’t for everyone, but for Danique Moore, its calling could not have come at a better time.

After unsuccessful attempts to serve the nation in various capacities following high school, the prospect of employment in the maritime field arose when the deck cadet least expected.

“After leaving sixth form I had no idea as to what I wanted to do. I tried out for the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force), I was turned down. I tried for the (Jamaica) Fire Brigade, I didn’t get a response. I tried the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force), same. So, instead I worked a year and while at work I met a friend, Dwayne Bennett, who is now a maritime engineer with Carnival Cruise,” Moore said. “He came to my workplace in his CMU (Caribbean Maritime University) uniform, I questioned him about the industry and he gave me his honest opinion. September I was enrolled at the Caribbean Maritime University and the rest is history.”

Moore said the career move was perfect as the life of a seafarer “incorporates being trained as military personnel, firefighter and even a medical caregiver so not getting into the JCF, JDF and the JFB were for the best”.

Six months into her time at sea, Moore said it’s not been without its challenges, but good mentorship has helped her adjust significantly.

“Life at sea is not always sunshine and rainbows as shown on the media; that is just us ‘skipping to the good part’,” she said, adding the allure of the uniform can be misleading. “Life at sea can be beautiful, especially if it is something you love; because when you love something you don’t just love the good things that come with it because your true affection for something is tested in the challenging time and I have had bad days at sea and even scary days, but my passion for working at sea is greater than my fears.

“The system at Caribbean Maritime University, the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies to be specific, prepares you for life at sea and if you survive induction and you complete your bachelor’s, you can survive life at sea. My lecturers at CMU throughout the four years of my degree were encouraging. I have met people who have served in the industry long before I was born, and they gave me their insight and their encouragement which I took with me to sea and still hold on the table of my heart.”

While at sea, Moore has often been the odd woman out, but that’s not stopped her. “I was the only one of my skin colour on board, (and) I was the only fluent English speaker. All the other nationalities were Spanish speakers. This then evoked the question, ‘How did I manage?’ Well, I don’t know but I did, and seven out of 10 times while on board, I understood the partial English spoken to me, along with hand signals or gestures used.”

To date, her most significant seafaring occurrence was just two months ago when she experienced a tornado in Florida. “The day before the weather was calm, the sea was still and glossy. I was just enthralled by its ambience. But unfortunately, that bliss was short-lived when the wind picked up. We had to drop anchor inside of Port Everglades even though we had two tugboats as assistance, which clearly were not enough. In my mind I was just nervous for the captain and the pilot in this adverse weather, but it also shone light on the fact that being a seafarer takes courage and how much I need to learn to perfect my craft because one day I will be the captain in command.”

As for steps that can be taken to improve the lives of seafarers, Moore had several suggestions, including emphasis on seafarers’ mental health, the offering of integral courses for free, greater recruitment of cadets and a safe work environment for female seafarers.

Jamaica will join the international maritime community in celebrating Day of the Seafarer on June 25.