2nd mate a first for Chinese women
By Lu Feiran |
March 10, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SECOND mate Bai Xiang'en, a maritime technology expert and navigation instructor, is the first Chinese mainland woman to sail the Arctic Ocean, helping to chart the ice breaker Xue Long's (Snow Dragon's) course through icebergs.
Now that technology is generally more important than brawn in high-tech vessels on the high seas, the 28-year-old Shanghai native hopes one day to be certified as a captain in a field dominated by men.
"Of course it's harder for women to do some heavy physical work, but women are more careful," she told Shanghai Daily in an interview last week.
"Now physical strength is not as essential in sailing as before, thus, I believe women can also do as well in the field as men."
Last week Bai was named one of Shanghai's top 10 figures in education by the Shanghai Education Commission.
Bai teaches maritime English at Shanghai Maritime University, but since she obtained her master's degree in maritime technology four years ago, she has spent more time at sea than on shore and in classrooms.
She is a navigation instructor on the Yufeng, the university's training vessel.
In July, Bai was appointed second mate of the Shanghai-based research ship and icebreaker Xue Long, bound for the North Pole on a scientific mission. The 167-meter-long Xue Long is China's only research icebreaking ship in service.
The journey lasted 89 days.
The Xue Long had one opening for a marine officer from the university and Bai immediately applied. The university recommended her and she passed the interview.
On July 2, the Xue Long departed from Qingdao, Shandong Province, for geographic, climate and other scientific investigations in the Arctic. The second mate bore major responsibility for navigation and needed to be familiar with the geography and historic conditions of the route, including distribution of icebergs and the effects of climate change. Global warming results in melting icebergs and ice floes and changing shipping channels.
Bai had to choose the right route, check the depth and avoid icebergs.
The journey was challenging because the Xue Long was taking a new route and existing charts were outdated and inadequate. The sun caused blinding reflections from the ice and smog frequently reduced visibility. While crossing the North Pole, the thickness and density of the ice exceeded the Xue Long's capacity and it got stuck in a pressure ridge.
"All the challenges required intense concentration and it was a time of high stress," Bai said. "I had to constantly maintain my own peak performance during my shifts."
Bai said she is very adaptable and flexible, managing to cope with changing time differences and sleep cycles.
When the crew isn't working, there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied, including singing contests, sports and movies, as well as computer time. Bai takes part in most of them.
"I did many things I love, such as writing, photography, playing poker and chess. These are good ways to overcome loneliness," she said. Before going to sleep, she usually read and listed to light music to improve her sleep quality. "Adequate sleep is vital for maritime officers because we need extremely high concentration."
Bai also spotted wildlife, including two polar bears and many seals and dolphins. "Pods of beluga whales were quite magnificent, I have never witnessed such scenes in other routes."
More women are expected to drawn to maritime services, she said.
"Now as far as I know, not more than 10 women are engaged in maritime service on the Chinese mainland," said Bai. "Some women I know, my former school mates for example, gave up their dream of sailing after getting married, but became a kindergarten teacher or something."
Bai's family has been close to the sea. Her paternal grandfather was a life-long sailor, while her father worked for a shipping company.
"When we were walking along the Huangpu River bank, my father always explained the different kinds of ships. He filled me with curiosity about the sailing. I yearned to one day go to sea."
When she first crossed a gangway and boarded a seagoing vessel for the first time, she knew her choice was absolutely right.
In 2002 when Bai graduated from high school, a major in maritime technology was the only field open to female students. The Shanghai Maritime University describes the major was "dedicated to cultivating administrative talents to the level of captain."
"Back then, not a single woman had graduated from that major, and I didn't know what was ahead if I chose it," said Bai. "Fortunately my family and relatives all supported me, though my high school classmates were truly shocked."
There were 33 young women in her major back in 2002, but she is the only one who has remained in the field.
"Not many Chinese mainland women are working as marine officers, because sometimes women must give up their career for their family," Bai said.
Bai's husband understands her aspirations; he was her college classmate and now works as a ship's pilot. They were married in 2010.
In 2009, she had just earned her master's degree and started to work at the university. She had to complete 18 months of sailing during the first three years of work, so she spent a lot of time at sea.
Bai expects to soon obtain her doctorate in maritime technology. Sailing to the North Pole provided solid material for her thesis.
"I hope I can obtain the degree as well as the captain's certificate soon," said Bai. "Besides, I also want to be a mother in the near future. But no matter what happens, I will not give up my dream of the sea. I'll still sail as long as I can grasp the chance."
Now that technology is generally more important than brawn in high-tech vessels on the high seas, the 28-year-old Shanghai native hopes one day to be certified as a captain in a field dominated by men.
"Of course it's harder for women to do some heavy physical work, but women are more careful," she told Shanghai Daily in an interview last week.
"Now physical strength is not as essential in sailing as before, thus, I believe women can also do as well in the field as men."
Last week Bai was named one of Shanghai's top 10 figures in education by the Shanghai Education Commission.
Bai teaches maritime English at Shanghai Maritime University, but since she obtained her master's degree in maritime technology four years ago, she has spent more time at sea than on shore and in classrooms.
She is a navigation instructor on the Yufeng, the university's training vessel.
In July, Bai was appointed second mate of the Shanghai-based research ship and icebreaker Xue Long, bound for the North Pole on a scientific mission. The 167-meter-long Xue Long is China's only research icebreaking ship in service.
The journey lasted 89 days.
The Xue Long had one opening for a marine officer from the university and Bai immediately applied. The university recommended her and she passed the interview.
On July 2, the Xue Long departed from Qingdao, Shandong Province, for geographic, climate and other scientific investigations in the Arctic. The second mate bore major responsibility for navigation and needed to be familiar with the geography and historic conditions of the route, including distribution of icebergs and the effects of climate change. Global warming results in melting icebergs and ice floes and changing shipping channels.
Bai had to choose the right route, check the depth and avoid icebergs.
The journey was challenging because the Xue Long was taking a new route and existing charts were outdated and inadequate. The sun caused blinding reflections from the ice and smog frequently reduced visibility. While crossing the North Pole, the thickness and density of the ice exceeded the Xue Long's capacity and it got stuck in a pressure ridge.
"All the challenges required intense concentration and it was a time of high stress," Bai said. "I had to constantly maintain my own peak performance during my shifts."
Bai said she is very adaptable and flexible, managing to cope with changing time differences and sleep cycles.
When the crew isn't working, there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied, including singing contests, sports and movies, as well as computer time. Bai takes part in most of them.
"I did many things I love, such as writing, photography, playing poker and chess. These are good ways to overcome loneliness," she said. Before going to sleep, she usually read and listed to light music to improve her sleep quality. "Adequate sleep is vital for maritime officers because we need extremely high concentration."
Bai also spotted wildlife, including two polar bears and many seals and dolphins. "Pods of beluga whales were quite magnificent, I have never witnessed such scenes in other routes."
More women are expected to drawn to maritime services, she said.
"Now as far as I know, not more than 10 women are engaged in maritime service on the Chinese mainland," said Bai. "Some women I know, my former school mates for example, gave up their dream of sailing after getting married, but became a kindergarten teacher or something."
Bai's family has been close to the sea. Her paternal grandfather was a life-long sailor, while her father worked for a shipping company.
"When we were walking along the Huangpu River bank, my father always explained the different kinds of ships. He filled me with curiosity about the sailing. I yearned to one day go to sea."
When she first crossed a gangway and boarded a seagoing vessel for the first time, she knew her choice was absolutely right.
In 2002 when Bai graduated from high school, a major in maritime technology was the only field open to female students. The Shanghai Maritime University describes the major was "dedicated to cultivating administrative talents to the level of captain."
"Back then, not a single woman had graduated from that major, and I didn't know what was ahead if I chose it," said Bai. "Fortunately my family and relatives all supported me, though my high school classmates were truly shocked."
There were 33 young women in her major back in 2002, but she is the only one who has remained in the field.
"Not many Chinese mainland women are working as marine officers, because sometimes women must give up their career for their family," Bai said.
Bai's husband understands her aspirations; he was her college classmate and now works as a ship's pilot. They were married in 2010.
In 2009, she had just earned her master's degree and started to work at the university. She had to complete 18 months of sailing during the first three years of work, so she spent a lot of time at sea.
Bai expects to soon obtain her doctorate in maritime technology. Sailing to the North Pole provided solid material for her thesis.
"I hope I can obtain the degree as well as the captain's certificate soon," said Bai. "Besides, I also want to be a mother in the near future. But no matter what happens, I will not give up my dream of the sea. I'll still sail as long as I can grasp the chance."
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