DAILY they put their lives on the line in the interest of safeguarding Jamaica’s shores and those who find themselves in peril at sea. They are coxswains.

Seaman Christopher Benjamin, a soldier in the Jamaica Defence Force, is such a professional. He talks with Career & Education this week about the career option.

The son of a World War II veteran and one who has several other relatives in the military, Benjamin, 39, has no qualms about risking his life in the interest of successfully performing his duties as a coxswain. If nothing else, the last 20 years in the profession has made him accustomed to risks from both natural and man-made disasters.

Who is a coxswain?

A coxswain is a person who is qualified to take care of a utility vessel within the coastguard. The size of the vessel may vary; it might be a small vessel manned by three persons or it might (be) a patrol craft which can be manned by up to 18 persons (with) a coxswain in charge.

As a coxswain (in Jamaica), we are tasked to patrol the Kingston Harbour and other marine entities (including fishing vessels and pleasure crafts). We make our checks (at sea) and if there is something wrong, we take care of the situation in the right way specified under Jamaica Defence Force rules. We are the persons who make sure that all (marine) vessels are sea worthy and safe in terms of persons having correct life jackets, flairs and all of (other) marine paraphernalia.

What are the skills required to do your work?

You have to be skilled in boat-handling; you have to know how to safely drive the boat and know navigation. As the coxswain, you have to drive the vessel. Note I said drive. Our vessels are motorised so it has an engine so as a coxswain you have to (also) know how to drive a boat. It’s different from sailing where you rely on wind power to do your manoeuvring. Therefore, you have to have the skill to move the boat from alongside, take it to sea and do your evolution without having an accident at sea.

What is the value of your work?

My work as a coxswain is so important; it emphasises the motto of my unit: Service for the life of others. In everything we do we, we ensure that we protect everybody at sea. No matter the weather conditions, as long as there is somebody in distress at sea, a coastguard will be there, a coxswain will be there with his crew, and we are going to rescue those persons. We will endanger our lives to make sure that those persons are safe. We get them back to land, give them medical assistance if necessary and reunite them with their families.

How did you become involved in the JDF coastguard and specifically this aspect of the work?

I was born a soldier; this was my destiny. Prior to me enlisting in the Jamaica Defence Force, I knew nothing about the coastguard. However, before I completed training they told me that I was going to the coastguard. They explained to me that this is the ‘sea part’ of the military so I was intrigued and I wanted to know what is the ‘sea part’.

When I came to my parent unit here (in Port Royal), it was a rude awakening. I could not swim, but I was professionally taught how to swim within two weeks. I didn’t know how to run a boat or navigate, but they taught me that too. So far, I have no qualms about being here and if I could live my life again, I would still be in the coastguard.

What are some of the challenges you face as a coxswain?

The challenges (include) a lack of equipment… We need more equipment and more boats to conduct our business more effectively, but all in all we make do with what we have.

The biggest challenges though would be the unpredictable nature of the sea. We might leave and it is calm seas and as soon as we leave the harbour, weather changes and we might end up in a storm and visibility might be near nil so you can’t see where you are going and you have to rely on your navigation.

Another challenge would be going to sea with young sailors. I have to bring them up to level because it might be their first patrol or their first time at sea. They have to get there sea legs (get accustomed to sea conditions) and I have to supervise them more to ensure that they do their tasks and they are safe.

How dangerous is it to perform your duties as a coxswain?

The dangers are mitigated because we are soldiers… So we go to the area and we go with a heightened sense of security because we know that if things go bad, there could be a shoot-out. Possibly, people might get hurt and we try to do our job professionally and expeditiously so that nothing goes wrong. Our job is dangerous to the level that each time I leave home to come to work, I know it can be my last (day); it is that dangerous.

What do you enjoy most about being a coxswain?

Being free to actually achieve my objectives without having anybody to tell me this is what I am supposed to do. I know what my task is, I know what my priority is so I will go out there, carry out my objectives and take all my personnel back safely, including those I rescue and my crew members. I (also) enjoy being in charge of my operation. In addition, (it gives me) a sense of well-being when we get even a thank you from a person we rescue at sea Just the thank you is more than words can say; that’s my gratification.

What do you dislike most about your work?

Leaving alongside (pier or jetty) in perfectly good weather and going to an area (where) there is a storm. We dislike rough weather because we know we will be there regardless of adverse condition.

NOTE: The academic requirements for entry into the profession is the same for all persons entering the military. There is a minimum of five Caribbean Secondary Education Certificates and two A-levels. Enlisted persons need only have acquired an education up to grade nine in order to sit the entry-level test. If they are successful, they can go on to training.

— Additional reporting by Sheneka Dias