18/05/2026
“The key to career progression in the maritime industry is continuous learning, resilience and building a strong support network.” Shamaine Mamashela, Third Engineer
As an Engineer at sea, Shamaine reflects on a career shaped by determination, growth and a commitment to excellence in a traditionally male-dominated environment. For her, career progression has been driven by a deliberate focus on continuous learning and resilience in the face of long contracts, challenging conditions, and occasional setbacks. Early in her career, she actively sought mentorship and guidance, while pursuing opportunities that would strengthen her technical capability and professional development. She credits supportive seniors and mentors for reinforcing the importance of persistence, adaptability and excellence in opening doors within the maritime industry. Beyond technical growth, Shamaine highlights the importance of visibility and leadership, noting that consistently demonstrating competence and professionalism plays a key role in shaping how the industry evolves over time. She also emphasises that workplace culture onboard is shaped by everyday behaviours. Respect, clear communication, and active allyship are essential in creating environments where everyone feels safe, valued and heard. Addressing inappropriate behaviour promptly and constructively, while ensuring that all voices are heard during meetings and briefings, contributes to a more inclusive and professional culture at sea. For Shamaine, women also play an important role in leading by example through professionalism, competence and supporting others. She believes that when people feel respected and psychologically safe, they perform at their best, ultimately strengthening safety, wellbeing, teamwork and operational excellence at sea.