My name is Imaculata Jafari Ngazila, a proud mother of one and a dedicated maritime professional. I joined the seafaring industry in 2010 and have remained committed to this rewarding career ever since.

My journey began with the STCW Basic Mandatory Safety Training in 2010, which qualified me for onboard practical training. I completed my seatime service on Lake Victoria aboard MV Samar 3, a passenger and cargo vessel with a capacity of 350 tons and 350 passengers, operating between Mwanza and Ukerewe. I served on this vessel for six months.

In 2011, I advanced my training by enrolling at Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI)for theRating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch course. After completion, I returned to MV Samar 3 and continued working until 2012.

Later, I joined MV Upendo, a 500-ton cargo vessel operating across Lake Victoria from Mwanza to Kisumu (Kenya), and Mwanza to Jinja and Port Bell (Uganda). Among a crew of 12, I was the only woman. I worked there until 2014.

That year, I joined MV Nyehunge, a mixed passenger-cargo vessel with a 350-ton cargo capacity and space for 380 passengers, sailing between Ukerewe and Mwanza. Again, I was the only woman in a crew of 11. I served there until 2016, then returned to DMI to pursue the Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) Less than 500GT (Near Coastal) course, which I completed in 2017.

I resumed my service on MV Nyehunge, which had been repurposed to carry 280 tons of cargo and 280 passengers, operating routes between Mwanza and the islands of Ghana, Goziba, and Bukoba. In December 2018, I successfully passed my oral examination and was awarded a Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (Near Coastal) licence.I currently work onboard MV. Nyehunge on Lake Victoria as Chief Officer.

To all my fellow female seafarers: do not give up. The maritime profession is not as difficult as it may seem. With dedication, hard work, and a commitment to learning, you can achieve your dreams.

Thanks to my career in seafaring, I have been able to build a home, educate my child in a quality school, open a wholesale beverage shop, and enjoy a fulfilling and stable life. This profession has truly transformed my life and it can transform yours too.