A two-month assignment on a Hapag-Lloyd boxship that stretched to nine months because of the Covid-19 pandemic has not deterred 19-year-old Hannah Gerlach from a career at sea.
The trainee ship mechanic boarded the 13,177-teu Basle Express (built 2012) on 21 September and stayed there until near the end of June.
Gerlach told the German company's in-house magazine she had been very happy on board.
"I was really excited because it had been my first solo voyage. The original plan was for me to already disembark in Hamburg at the end of November, but I voluntarily extended my assignment until mid-March to experience what it’s like to go on a longer voyage," she said.
No motivation problems
"But then I could no longer sign off due to the coronavirus."
Gerlach said she enjoyed the work and the crew and master were "super".
She used messenger apps and video calls to stay in touch with people back home.
"Even after almost nine months, I didn’t have any problems keeping motivated. Nevertheless, I missed my life at home very much — especially my family and friends," she added.
The apprentice accepted missing a family Christmas and Easter as part of the life of a seafarer.
"The only thing that bothered me a lot was that I wasn’t able to meet my second nephew directly after he was born," she said.
Surprisingly, what she missed most on board was not land.
"This might sound a bit crazy, as I had been working and living on a containership for nearly nine months, so I was constantly on the water. But I was really looking forward to going sailing with my family again and enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere on the water in the evening," she said.
"On board of a containership, you still have the whirring of the fans or the humming of the refrigerated containers in your ears."
Karaoke, films and BBQs
The crew was changed over in November and February, and Gerlach said she forged strong bonds will all her colleagues.
"After all, in addition to working together, we also lived together. The nice thing is that you don’t have to be alone if you don’t want to be."
They ate together and watched films together, with a barbecue every now and then, as well as singing karaoke with Filipino seafarers celebrating their birthdays.
"We never run out of things to talk about or stop having fun. There definitely isn’t any friction. On the contrary, I think that we can rely on each other," she said.
And the time at sea has confirmed her career choice: "When you’re 16 or 17 years old and about to finish high school, I think it’s only human to not necessarily be 100% sure about what your next step should be.
"Of course, seafaring is very unique, as it completely changes your life and you are deciding to work and live on a ship for many weeks away from your family, friends and home. But I can say that I’m more than 100% sure that I’ve made the right decision for me and that I’m very happy to have taken this step."
The right attitude
As the only woman on board since February, Gerlach said she proved quickly that she can work just as hard as the men, showing she did not have to be treated differently.
"I also think that your own attitude and how you approach the fact that you are the only woman plays a major role, and the crew here on board has reinforced this impression."
The vessel served the FE5 route from the end of March, beginning in Hamburg, progressing through Suez and on to Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
"The Basle Express was supposed to spend some time in dry dock beginning in April, but this was postponed due to Covid-19," Gerlach said.
"We were then scheduled for the MD1 service [from the Mediterranean to the Far East] and were already on our way to the first port when this deployment was cancelled at short notice."
After drifting on the South China Sea for three-and-a-half weeks, the ship switched to the AG3 service on 24 April, sailing back and forth between the Middle East Gulf and Asia.
Keep smiling
What has the experience taught her? "I’ve learned that I can, want to and will pursue my goals and dreams. And my high motivation level and positive attitude will help me to do so," Gerlach said.
"It might sound cliched, but I still believe the saying that 'when you smile at the world, it smiles back'. In fact, I would almost say that this has become something like my motto. Having a smile on your face and feeling motivated makes it so much easier to get out of bed in the morning."
Gerlach finally left the vessel on 23 June and flew home to Germany.
She will not have a holiday until August as she is continuing her studies at a vocational college.
