Motorman Evelyn Lilja would like to see more women in the maritime industry and thrives in a place where challenges and development go hand in hand.
The path into the maritime industry was not an obvious one for Evelyn Lilja, who, growing up, preferred to keep her distance from the sea.
“I used to hate boats and being out at sea, but one day, out of nowhere, a curiosity sparked within me. After spending time in the Karlskrona archipelago, I discovered that it gave me an incredible sense of freedom. That’s when I opened my eyes to the sea and later to the maritime program at Törnströmska gymnasiet.”
The school’s internship program at Wallenius Marine led to a permanent position, and for the past year, 19-year-old Evelyn Lilja has been working as a motorman aboard the Ro-Pax vessel Visborg — a profession that is far from being flooded with women.
“I am the only woman in the engine room, but despite that, I enjoy my work immensely. Of course, as a young woman, it can be challenging to find common interests with the rest of the crew, and at times I encounter prejudices, but I feel a great deal of support from my colleagues”, says Evelyn Lilja.
She wishes that more effort was put into marketing the industry to attract more women and believes that many would be pleasantly surprised if they dared to give the profession a try.
I feel that many women barely know about this industry. It’s a shame that it isn’t talked about more because many companies are eager to hire women and create a more gender-equal maritime sector.
No Day is Ever the Same in the Engine Room
As a motorman, Evelyn Lilja has a varied workday. Her morning starts by taking over from the night shift motorman. After the handover, she conducts engine room inspections and reviews planned maintenance tasks.
“Since Visborg is also a passenger vessel, a strong emphasis is placed on safety onboard, and we carry out different types of fire drills every week. “
There is always something new happening, and you never know what to expect when starting your shift. There is always more to learn, and you can never fully master everything — which can be tough, but also incredibly exciting!
A World of Encounters
Visborg operates in the Mediterranean for the Spanish shipping company Baleària, carrying passengers and crew from all over the world. “I get to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures whom I might never have encountered otherwise. It’s an enriching experience, both professionally and personally.“ One challenge is the language barriers that occasionally arise, making it difficult to communicate technical details in high-pressure situations. “I may know exactly what I want to say in Swedish, but quickly translating it into English so that everyone understands can be tricky.”
Currently, Visborg and Evelyn Lilja are in Valencia, and with a bit of luck, they will have a few days to go ashore and explore the city before heading toward Barcelona.
“I strongly encourage more women to join the industry. There are plenty of job opportunities, and the demand for women in the field is high. It’s a fantastic chance to grow and learn while also traveling, experiencing the world, and engaging with different cultures.”
