Abigail McKenzie: First female marine dispatcher in Jamaica talks work, success, motivation

SUCCESS for Abigail McKenzie means making a positive impact in her role as a woman in the maritime industry. “The sky is not the limit, you must think beyond it,” the 25-year-old marine dispatcher told All Woman.

“As a marine dispatcher I exude resilience with a strong focus on port safety, ensuring the safety of marine life and those who work in and around the ocean,” she shared, explaining what she does daily.

“As a woman venturing into the maritime world, I would introduce myself as a passionate and dedicated individual who strives to explore and re-energise the industry.”

As a marine dispatcher, McKenzie said her role entails receiving orders from a ship representative about the arrival or sailing of vessels around the ports of Jamaica. After receiving an order she will then process the order, assess the traffic around that time, and check for tug availability.

“Thereafter, I will detail the pilot on the movement and any other movement taking place at that time. I also listen and communicate to any captain who radios into the office for information,” she said.

Hailing from Priory, St Ann, this Westwood and Caribbean Maritime University old girl, football lover, and Arsenal fan said a typical day begins with a prayer to get her through the day, then she’s off to the Port Authority where she interacts with ship agents and coordinates the movements of ships.

“After interacting with numerous amounts of people, I enjoy a quiet evening at home reading a Sidney Sheldon novel,” she shared.

McKenzie said her resilience stems from a strong desire to prove, not necessarily to the world, but to herself, that she can excel. Her dad is her inspiration – his thirst for knowledge and his desire to constantly try new things are traits she admires.

“My parents have sacrificed a lot to get me to this point in my career, and the desire to make them proud is my motivation in the mornings to get up and keep going,” she explained.

She said it was always a dream of hers to join a field where her contribution would be impactful – only three per cent of the maritime industry are females, “and being a person who likes to face challenges head-on, I decided to do a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management”.

Her early days saw her first job at Kingston Freeport terminal as a stevedore coordinator, where she was tasked with the agenda of not only safely, but efficiently maximising vessel operations. Her job description included the supervision of the loading and unloading of containers and traffic management.

“What I love most about my job [now] as a marine dispatcher is its dynamic nature; each day presents new challenges and opportunities to learn and make a meaningful impact on global commerce,” she shared.

She said her best career achievement to date is being the first female marine dispatcher in Jamaica.

“I am very proud of myself as I am now a contributing factor in breaking the stigma that this is a man’s world,” she said.

Asked when in her career she would have worked the hardest, McKenzie said shipping is a 24/7 industry, meaning it’s constant and there is minimal room for mistakes.

“Therefore, I work my hardest every day. I remember being a stevedore coordinator, every week was a six-day workweek, I was working double shifts in the middle of that along with the graveyard shifts,” she demonstrated.

As a woman in the maritime industry, she said her unique perspective and determination to strive in a male-dominated field is what sets her apart from others.

“My positive energy and my interpersonal skills are the key to my success in this field,” she said.

“The satisfaction of being respected as an accomplished, hard-working and independent young lady are key motivators for me,” she added. “Not allowing people to dictate how my life will be structured, creating a pathway for financial freedom for myself and my family, are also motivators.”

She also listed four-term Member of Parliament, former Cabinet minister, UNDP Goodwill ambassador and columnist Lisa Hanna; Dr Hortense Ross-Innerarity, superintendent of pilotage; and mom and entrepreneur Tami Chin Mitchell as a few women she considers to be motivators for the work they have done, their achievements, and their impact on society.

“I strive to have my name remembered like these ladies who have broken barriers and made a change in the world,” McKenzie said.

For women trying to make it in her field, McKenzie said coming into the field is simple, but they need to believe in themselves.

“Embrace challenges, seek support and never hesitate to speak up,” she emphasised. “Don’t let anyone or anything dampen your drive for success.”