Katherine Mahon is a vessel traffic services operator at Port Kembla. DCN interviewed her as part of its coverage of the IMO’s International Day for Women In Maritime.
Could you briefly tell us about yourself, your role and what it entails?
I work at Port Kembla as a vessel traffic services operator (VTSO). I work 12-hour shifts, half day shifts and half night shifts. The shifts are mostly solo but there is a day worker VTSO Monday to Friday to assist during business hours. Vessel traffic services (VTS) manages the waterway, maintains the shipping schedule, oversees vessel and contractor work within the port and ensures any changes in the schedule are passed onto the pilots, pilot boat crew and vessels.
What brought you into the industry?
I decided to work in the shipping industry after spending five weeks on board a square sailing ship for the Bicentennial First Fleet Re-enactment voyage when I was 14. After high school, I applied for a deck officer cadetship and was successful with Howard Smith Shipping. I studied at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania. After obtaining my Officer of the Watch certificate of competency I sailed on ships on the Australian and UK coasts until 2007. A back injury stopped me going to sea for 18 months and when I was ready to start work again, I decided to find a shore job and came across the Port Kembla position. I started working at Port Kembla harbour in 2009.
Could you tell us about some of the barriers you have encountered in the industry and how you overcame them?
I didn’t really come across any barriers, but I did come across attitudes that I shouldn’t be working at sea, but it never interfered with me carrying out my job. I ignored those attitudes and just completed the work required of me.
I did sail with a captain in 2003 who had completely refused to have me join his vessel, as second mate, as he didn’t believe women should work at sea. The office overruled him, and I joined the vessel. I didn’t find out this issue until after I had been on the ship for about a month and the captain had gotten used to my presence and had changed his mind. We ended up working together for several swings over about a year and he encouraged me.
What has been the biggest positive change for women in the industry you’ve seen?
The attitude that we don’t belong or can’t do the work is the biggest positive change I’ve witnessed in the industry. Also, that having more than one or two women on one ship is too many.
What needs to change to encourage more women in the workforce?
Increasing the awareness of the industry as a whole is needed, as very little as know about shipping, and then highlighting all the different roles/positions available.
What does the International Day for Women in Maritime mean to you?
It is good to see the focus of increasing the participation of women in maritime become a yearly event to increase the visibility of the initiative and highlight the progress being made.
