Onboard safety, being Staff Captain, and watching spaceships being built?! We caught up with Swan Hellenic’s Staff Captain, Jenny Koivunen, to learn about this and more…
Hi Jenny, how did you become involved in expedition voyages?
Jenny: When I was growing up, there was a shipyard near where I lived in Finland where they were building a huge cruise ship. For me, it was like they were building a spaceship! From then on, I knew I wanted to work on boats one day. I started working onboard ships in 2012 and was an officer on Ro-Ro vessels, icebreakers, and cruise ships from 2016. I joined Swan Hellenic in 2021 helped launch SH Vega and SH Diana, and have worked on SH Diana since April 2023.
What challenges have you encountered since joining Swan Hellenic?
Jenny: The most challenging thing has been to be part of the launching team for all three ships within 18 months. Plus, when we started, COVID brought many challenges. Then afterward, there were restrictions that made traveling around the world challenging. It’s also been the most rewarding thing, though. The whole team has worked together, so our biggest challenge had the best reward!
What do you like most about working for Swan Hellenic?
Jenny: We have a very open, positive attitude here. It's a cliché, but we're like a big family! And when guests see that and come to tell us we have a wonderful crew and that we are doing a great job, it makes me feel really proud of us all and of being part of this team!
Rewarding roles
You used to be Safety Officer, can you describe the role for us?
Jenny: Safety Officer is one of the only positions on board that works with all of the departments. They are there to make sure Occupational Health and Safety guidelines are followed, and all crew are ready for any kind of emergencies, from small incidents to helicopter evacuations. One of the main responsibilities is to make sure the equipment we use for the firefighting and life-saving is always ready. The Safety Officer’s also in charge of training all of the crew on board for their emergency duties, from fire fighters to the stretcher party team members. Weekly drills and training ensure all crew members within their respective emergency roles are ready for any kind of incidents and accidents.
So what does you role as Staff Captain involve?
Jenny: We have three departments, Deck, Engine and Hotel. I am the Head of the Deck Department and oversee the deck operations, including the maintenance on decks, launching our zodiac and tender operations and working with the bridge officers. Staff captain is also the second in command, supporting the Captain.
What do you like the most about your role?
Jenny: It offers a lot of variety! The Staff Captain position requires a diverse range of knowledge and skills, and the learning is continuous throughout the career. Although some of my time is spent doing paper work and administrative tasks, I enjoy my time spent working on deck and on the bridge.
What are the biggest challenges for you?
As Staff Captain, one of the biggest challenges is to wear multiple hats at once, from being the assigned ship security officer, and preparing the permits and documentation needed for ports we visit. Also, as Head of Department, I must be available to support the crew, and able to motivate them to tackle daily tasks. Not related to any specific rank or position on board, the biggest challenge is being away from home for long periods of time. It’s not easy, and there are days when you might feel a bit homesick. But having the best support from home and from each other makes the work worth it. And we also get to spend long holidays at home, when we can catch up with our close ones!
How do you become a Bridge officer?
Jenny: All bridge officers start as juniors, and rise through the ranks. In addition to completing the degree in Nautical college and for Senior officers’ position, an advanced degree, you need to have a certain amount of sea time service to obtain your licenses all the way up to become a certified Captain. Additional training and courses are also needed, which we attend regularly, to keep our competence level up to present standards. All officers, including the Captain, started their career at entry level positions and worked their way up.
Going places
There aren’t many women in this kind of role. How do you feel about that?
Jenny: Worldwide, less than 2% of Officers are females. Women before have paved the way for me in this industry, and I am here to make the path a little bit wider for women after me. Luckily, it's less and less the mindset that this is a man's job or that a woman can't do it. Swan Hellenic is very aware of gender equality, and supportive of my professional growth, which is one reason I love working here. My role has nothing to do with gender, and I have been fortunate to work with Captains and other senior managers, who see it the same way.
What’s your advice for girls or young women who want to do your job one day?
Jenny: We usually set the standards for ourselves very high, and can easily think something is out of our reach. But never be afraid to pursue your dreams. You can achieve anything you put your mind to and work towards! In the maritime world, you might be a minority, but you don’t have to be afraid of being yourself. Remember that you don’t need to overachieve. When you do your best, your best is enough!