Crew Insights: 2nd officer, Enache Marian Alexandru, shares his experiences.
Back to newsSeafarers are an integral part of the shipping industry, and Ardmore Shipping is committed to supporting individuals from Cadet to Captain. As the shipping industry navigates the energy transition, Ardmore believes that people will need to collaborate and share knowledge agility and experience to make this era an opportunity for positive change. Even deeper investment in talent will be key to the success today and in the future.
To get insight from the team at sea, Ardmore Shipping hears from Enache Marian Alexandru, 2nd Officer, who has just finished his latest voyage onboard the Ardmore Seavaliant and reflects on his experiences at sea, the importance of connectivity and the lifestyle offered by seafaring.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Few jobs offer the chance to see a multitude of places around the world and to meet so many different people from different countries. Working in a close environment for long periods of time enables you to connect, listen and explore other cultures and ways of life. These experiences help build better relationships and enable you to become more of a well-rounded person. The experience of being at sea helps people learn about themselves, discover hidden strengths and talents, and understand the value of teamwork.
Describe your experience on board Ardmore vessels.
I had the opportunity to start my career with Ardmore Shipping, learning from the beginning to have high standards in everything I do. Working with passionate and hard-working teammates is a unique and unforgettable experience, and very difficult to compare to a land-based job. Ardmore Shipping is an extremely professional company with proficient and well-trained crew. Having access to good quality internet while at sea makes a big difference to wellbeing onboard. Being in touch with our family at all times makes it easier to be far away from them.
What was your experience of Ardmore’s cadet program?
I spent an extensive amount of time on a single vessel as part of my training, during which I was involved in all the jobs you are required to do as an officer. I had a very supportive and experienced crew teach me and was willing to answer every question I had. It was a great experience being supported from shore and sea staff during this process and I spent many evenings writing in my cadet training book because there’s a lot of information you need to know to do the role safely. It formed part of my portfolio when I went for my final examination and I am very grateful for the value this experience brought to my education platform.
What is your opinion on the importance of safety onboard?
We need to avoid incidents from happening so Ardmore’s approach to providing fleet training sessions and drills ensures we are always testing our team and refreshing our processes. We have access to regular training online via the Seagull CBT platform and regular video and in person conferences with the Ardmore shore team which helps support our development and connection with the land based team.
It is important to recognize that safety comes down to decision-making. Sometimes the decisions might be emergency related, or they might be to do with high-value cargo, so you have to have the confidence to present yourself and know that what you’re going to do is what you were trained for and, therefore, is the right choice to make.