Your job is very unique. Can you share with us how you embarked on this career path?
My grandfather and uncle both worked on ships. When I was a child living in Anping, I would often sit on my grandfather's fishing boat and watch the sunset. In high school, I wasn't sure what field I wanted to study.
One day, I visited a merchant ship in Hualien Port and was amazed by the vast view and the ship's massive size. That moment made me decide to work on a merchant ship. So, after graduating from high school, I studied at the Department of Shipping Technology at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. After a year of internship and passing the Ministry of Transportation's exam, I officially started working as a crew member.
Can you tell us what your daily job entails? Did you encounter any challenges at the beginning?
Typically, under the captain, there is the Chief Officer, Second Officer, and Third Officer. My position is as an "Officer." I take at least an eight-hour navigation shift daily, during which I am responsible for overseeing the ship's voyage, ensuring it stays on course, and maneuvering to avoid other vessels if necessary.
Onboard duties are divided into different areas: the "Bridge," which handles deck operations, and the "Engine Room," which is responsible for machinery maintenance. Everyone has their specific roles.
At first, I worked on a small ship running around Taiwan. My body took a long time to adjust, especially since the northeast monsoon in the Taiwan Strait is notoriously strong. I experienced severe seasickness for half a month before gradually adapting and successfully completing my contract.
Are most of the crew members male? As a female officer, how does it impact your work?
When I was working on domestic routes, there were still a few female colleagues. However, once I started working on international voyages, nearly all the crew members were male. In this male-dominated industry, women are still the minority. Every time I join a new ship with a new crew, some men subtly express doubt, wondering if a woman can really handle this job.
However, once they see that I am capable, knowledgeable, and not relying on men to do my work, they start respecting me.
I'm about to be promoted to Chief Officer on my next ship. The higher the rank, the more scrutiny I face. People question, "Can a woman really become a captain? Can she manage an entire crew of men?" Even during my internship, some companies explicitly stated they do not hire female crew members.
But I believe, "If you don’t want others to doubt you, then be fully prepared." Women are just as capable as men. This job requires both courage and attention to detail—believe in yourself.
Has this job inspired or taught you anything? Has it influenced your daily life?
The biggest lesson is: "Just start doing it."
On the ship, if something breaks, we must fix it ourselves. It's a great place to learn practical life skills. Now, even at home, I prefer to repair things myself.
Another lesson is teamwork. A ship only functions well when everyone fulfills their responsibilities—one person alone cannot move a ship forward. I'm always eager to learn from others, regardless of rank. Even as I get promoted, I continue to seek advice from my colleagues. When people see that you're hardworking and willing to learn, they naturally respect you, and it strengthens team cohesion.
When you feel stressed, how do you cope?
I always bring a yoga mat on board (laughs).
Many people think sailors earn a high salary, but the psychological pressure is immense. Sometimes, when we have a signal, we receive bad news from home but can’t do anything about it. The hardest part is knowing something is wrong but being stuck at sea, unable to go home.
On my last contract, my father passed away, but I couldn’t return in time.
So, when I feel stressed, I exercise in my cabin. Sweating it out makes me feel much better. When the workload is overwhelming, I take 30 minutes to just sit and watch the ocean. Sometimes, I even see whales—it’s incredibly healing.
What advice would you give to women who want to enter this field?
No matter your gender, don't let it define your abilities.
Don't label yourself as "a woman who can’t do it." Believe in yourself. When I look back, I realize that because I am a woman, I had to work even harder to get to where I am today. That, in itself, proves my capability.
Finally, when you're on vacation, do you wear our swimsuits? How do they feel?
What do you look for in a swimsuit? Your swimsuits make me feel very secure (laughs).
When I first saw them online, I liked that they weren’t overly flashy. Since I prefer one-piece swimsuits, I decided to try one. It covered my stomach securely and had a flattering fit. The material is super smooth and comfortable—I’m very satisfied!
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