Every year, Oman takes pride in honouring its resilient and inspirational women who have made significant contributions across various sectors. These extraordinary individuals have dedicated themselves tirelessly to serving the nation, skillfully capitalizing on the opportunities available to excel in their respective fields.
Among these trailblazers is Basma Al-Hashmi, a pioneering Omani woman who has defied societal expectations to become the first female deck officer in Oman. Today, she serves as Chief Officer and Marine Navigator aboard Asyad’s distinguished fleet, marking a historic milestone as the first Omani woman to attain a Chief Officer’s license.
Basma holds a degree in marine navigation, which laid the foundation for her ambitious career. Drawing inspiration from her mother, a former police officer, Basma pursued a profession that demands exceptional leadership and resilience. She diligently sought maritime competency certification from the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, ultimately achieving her long-held dream.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Basma is a passionate thrill-seeker with a diverse range of hobbies, including mountain climbing, paragliding, diving, and swimming. She also has a keen interest in travelling and reading, which enrich her experiences both personally and professionally.
The role of a deck officer is crucial within naval operations, encompassing direct assistance to the captain in ship navigation and command, as well as overseeing smooth and efficient loading and unloading processes throughout each voyage. Furthermore, the deck officer is entrusted with the responsibility of delegating duties to the crew, ensuring effective coordination and execution of onboard tasks.
Basma candidly shared the myriad of challenges she faces in this role, chief among them being the lengthy voyages that can extend for months, away from family and homeland. Compounding this are the demanding working conditions, which often involve navigating adverse weather and turbulent seas, particularly during monsoon seasons. The irregular work schedules can also disrupt essential rest and sleep, intensifying pressure and stress due to the demanding responsibilities inherent to the position.
From a logistical viewpoint, maritime professionals must navigate a complex web of regulations that vary by country, often complicating their operational responsibilities. This includes managing cargo operations and overseeing the materials and stock in diverse regions.
Basma stated, “These challenges require not only mental and physical resilience but also the wisdom and patience to adapt to changing circumstances. They inspire me to continue pushing forward, driving my creativity in finding solutions and overcoming obstacles.”
Reflecting on her journey, Basma expressed pride in her significant accomplishments in the maritime sector. Notably, she takes great satisfaction in her ability to deliver oil shipments to the most remote areas of the East, where she bears full responsibility during her voyages.
Since embarking on her career, Basma has successfully led 19 maritime voyages and visited over 50 ports in 28 countries. One of her most challenging undertakings was a nearly six-month voyage during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributed to the closure of airports and the constraints on land and sea borders.
Navigating a ship involves rigorous preparations, including medical examinations to ensure that officers meet the physical fitness and readiness requirements for their duties. Essential training courses focused on safety, fire prevention, and emergency survival equip the crew with the necessary skills to handle potential emergencies.
Once aboard, crew members participate in fire-fighting drills and disaster survival exercises to ascertain their preparedness for any incidents that may arise.
Basma concluded her reflections with heartfelt appreciation for the establishment of an International Day dedicated to honouring women in the maritime sector, celebrated annually on May 18. This day serves to highlight the vital contributions of women in the industry, underscoring the importance of empowering them through education and training. She fervently encourages young girls to pursue their dreams relentlessly, asserting that they should never give up, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.
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