Time out with a trailblazing third officer

For the launch of series three of the Nautilus podcast Off course, Helen Kelly sat down with Scarlett Barnett-Smith – AKA @captainscarlettb – to talk about her journey from Port of London Authority apprentice to Officer of the Watch Unlimited, and how she became a passionate supporter of female seafarers

Scarlett Barnett-Smith is no stranger to the challenges of life at sea. As a third officer with DFDS, she helms one of the busiest ferry routes in the world, navigating the treacherous English Channel up to 10 times a day. It's a role that demands unwavering focus, quick thinking, and a steady hand – qualities that Scarlett has honed through years of intensive training and a steadfast determination to succeed.

At just 25 years old, Scarlett's resume already reads like that of a seasoned seafarer. After completing a rigorous three-year cadetship, she's worked aboard the prestigious Sir David Attenborough research vessel, as well as for Trinity House and the Port of London Authority. Now, she's making waves as a passionate advocate for female seafarers, earning recognition as a trailblazer in the industry.

'It's surreal, really,' Scarlett admits, her eyes sparkling. 'Crossing such a busy channel, going against the flow of traffic – it's intense, but it's also incredibly rewarding.'

Scarlett's days are a whirlwind of activity, from meticulously planning the loading and unloading of cargo to navigating the channel. As a third officer, she's responsible for managing the bridge operations, coordinating with the quartermaster to ensure safe passage and checking passengers and vehicles are loaded correctly.

'It's like a game of Tetris,' she explains, gesturing animatedly. 'I must carefully plan the placement of everything from cars and motorbikes to dangerous goods and refrigerated cargo. It's a constant juggling act.'

Scarlett's journey to this point has been anything but easy. She recalls the overwhelming sense of responsibility that came with her first solo watch, the weight of the ship and the lives of her crew and passengers resting squarely on her shoulders. 'The first time the captain handed me the con, I felt like my stomach was in knots,' she admits.

'But I knew I was prepared, that I had the training and the skills to handle it. It's still overwhelming at times, but I've gained so much confidence and experience.'

That confidence has been hard-won, forged through years of intensive study and hands-on experience. Scarlett's cadetship, which she describes as 'brilliant', laid the foundation for her success, allowing her to hone her navigation skills and learn the intricacies of bridge management under the watchful eye of seasoned officers.

'As a cadet, you're given a lot of responsibility, even though you're not technically qualified,' she explains.'You're trained to handle emergency scenarios, to navigate any size of ship. It's that kind of preparation that really sets you up for success as a junior officer.'

Sky's the limit

Now, with her unlimited officer's licence in hand, Scarlett is poised to take on even greater challenges.

Her ambitions stretch far beyond the confines of the English Channel, and whilst she's very happy to be working with DFDS, she's also eager to explore the diverse opportunities that her credential affords.

'This licence is truly unlimited,' she says, a hint of pride. 'I could go from working on a ferry to a tanker, a cruise ship, or even a research vessel, with some type specific training. The possibilities are endless, and that's what makes this job so exciting.'

But for all the thrill and adventure that comes with life at sea, Scarlett is quick to acknowledge the challenges that seafarers face. From the long hours and extended periods away from home to the lack of diversity and representation in the industry, she's determined to be a catalyst for change.

'One of the biggest issues is the lack of female representation,' Scarlett says. 'It's a male-dominated field, and that can be really isolating at times. I'm passionate about encouraging more women to consider a career in maritime, to show them that it's a viable and rewarding path.'

Scarlett has three top tips for supporting female seafarers: ensure sanitary provisions onboard; create support networks and mentorship; and promote a more inclusive and fun environment.

Balancing the hard work on deck with more positive experiences, and acknowledging that ships don't need to be rigidly traditional in their operations, could go a long way to creating more job satisfaction for seafarers.