Aberdeen Marine Office
I embarked on my professional journey with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in 2012 as a Graduate Trainee Surveyor. Prior to joining MCA, I was engaged with a London-based firm specializing in forecasting maritime markets, marking my inaugural employment post my completion of a Master’s degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Strathclyde. Preceding this, during my undergraduate studies in marine engineering, I gained hands-on experience through a six-month stint as a trainee engineer aboard an Oil Chemical tanker, voyaging across the globe from Iran to ports in Fujairah, Rotterdam, Antwerp, China, Korea, and Taiwan.
The two years I spent as a Graduate Trainee with MCA were immensely enriching, as I had the privilege to learn from seasoned surveyors at the Glasgow Marine office. During this time I undertook training that included placements at marine offices in Aberdeen, Hull, and Belfast. I owe a debt of gratitude to my colleagues who actively supported my development during this period.
Following this, I served as a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) for a year before being temporarily transferred to assist the Aberdeen Marine Office for another year. My time at the Aberdeen Marine Office was marked by a diverse range of tasks, from conducting ISPS and MLC audits to overseeing inspections of under 15-meter fishing vessels, managing life raft service stations, and approving Port Waste Management Plans. Promoted to Senior Executive Officer (SEO), my responsibilities expanded to include training for Port State Control inspections, ISM Audits, Domestic Passenger vessels, and Safety Equipment surveys. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Aberdeen and decided to settle in Aberdeen.
The scope of my work continued to evolve as I progressed through various professional qualifications, while simultaneously shouldering increasing workloads at the marine office. In November 2017, I successfully obtained promotion as a Principal Marine Surveyor and served in this capacity for five years. In this role, my duties encompassed activity monitoring, assessing surveyors under training, conducting performance management reviews, file reviews, certificate approvals, and handling complex tasks. I was also an integral part of the management team at the marine office.
Seeking further professional development, I participated in the Engage Development Training Programme, during which I had the opportunity to act as an Interim Technical Manager for a period of five months. Subsequently, I successfully attained the position of Technical Manager, a role I have held in Aberdeen for one year and four months.
The most rewarding aspect of my work at MCA is the continuous learning environment. Despite the demanding and dynamic nature of the job, I derive fulfilment from knowing that my team and I are contributing significantly to maritime safety in the North Sea Offshore industry, the Fishing Industry in the North East Coast of Scotland, and the safe operation of passenger vessels in Orkney and other locations within the region. As a marine office, we take pride in our role as customer service managers for a substantial portion of the UK Flag fleet, and despite having only ten qualified surveyors, we rank among the top three revenue earners within S&I.
It has been very interesting 11.5 years and I hope that it continues to remain the same. The agency has evolved for better with digitalisation, which has changed the way we do things. If a person is dedicated, hardworking, professional and has good work ethics, ability to deliver quality work and ability to drive their training and personal development and most importantly the right behaviours, then you will find MCA is the best place to work and to have a good work life balance.
In my time in MCA, the organisation has supported me in my difficult times, when I was at my low due to personal loss and during my highs. MCA as an employer sponsored my Visa which allowed me to continue to live, work and settle in the UK. The overall experience makes this place the best place to work. Not many people can say that they enjoy what they do for a living!