High rolling record breaker on high seas

6 October 2010

High rolling record breaker on high seas

New Zealand ship navigation officer Catherine Williams can proudly lay claim to being the first and only female Chief Officer (second in command) in the more than 100 year history of Holland America Line (HAL) - one of the longest standing cruise-line companies in the world.

The NZ Maritime School graduate is one of a relatively rare few females in a traditionally male dominated industry.

“Worldwide about 2% of the officers are female,” reports Captain Kees Buckens, programme director at NZ Maritime School. “It is very much a level playing field in the Maritime industry and women are able to achieve great positions and enjoy rewarding careers at sea.”

Catherine’s new distinguished status comes as the fifth promotion she has received in the last seven years where her time has been spent both abroad at  sea and at home in New Zealand with continued study at NZ Maritime School.

“It’s nice to have a career where the next step and level are laid out and you have clear stepping stones to advance to,” says 32 year old Catherine. “I get flown around the world, see amazing places, meet a diverse mix of wonderful people and get to be in charge of a ship.”

“At NZ Maritime School, 8% - 12% of the class are female- well above the world average,” says Captain Buckens. “We have proudly observed Catherine’s progress in her career and she is on a trajectory to become one of the world’s few female Captains.

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