Page 82 - Maritime Book 1

PAVING THE WAY
CAPTAIN GUGU DUBE HARBOUR MASTER: PORT OF RICHARDS BAY
Gugu Precious Dube was recruited by Captain Lekala to take the helm in the Port of Richards Bay. Captain Dube had previously made history as one of the rst three females in Africa to obtain their open licences as marine pilots.
Captain Dube cut her teeth in marine operations when she studied Maritime studies at DUT and went to sea at a time when this was strictly male territory. “The men on board treated me like I was invading their space. I could not ask for special treatment and they were not willing to show me the ropes. I had to be independent and learn the hard way.”
Captain Dube worked her way up the ranks, became a tug master and then underwent the accelerated training programme in Durban.
She then went to Rotterdam for practical training, before doing her on the job training to qualify as a marine pilot and obtain her open licence , enabling her to pilot vessels of any size.
“That was a major highlight. There is nothing as exciting as being behind the wheel of a huge vessel. You feel ecstatic as you experience the adrenalin rush. It’s addictive because all ships are different and you want to test your skill and keep improving,” she said.
"Today I look on with pride as I see how I helped pave the way for other women in marine operations and how well they are doing."
“Things have changed drastically because there are more of us these days and gender equity has become the norm in marine operations. Sometimes the whole shift on duty will be female!”
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