SEAWORTHY

AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT in Bay Bulls, N.L., Melissa Williams (BMS’09, MMM’15) set her sights on a career path that took her to sea and back to shore overseeing all vessel traffic and marine operations at St. John’s harbour.

She saw the Marine Institute’s (MI) nautical science program – which prepares students for marine transportation careers – as her ticket to a less conventional job upon graduation in 2008. She worked on offshore supply vessels in the province’s oil sector before joining the St. John’s Port Authority as marine operations co-ordinator for logistics.

In 2016, Ms. Williams became the port’s manager of marine operations and harbour master – the first woman to hold the job.

Harbour masters are central to marine and port operations, including vessel activity, port security, traffic control, vessel berthing assignments, marine security, emergency planning and response, and enforcement of regulations. In an average year, the port handles more than 2,000 commercial vessels and fishing boats.

“Everything that logistically happens with a vessel on port property all comes through us. I’m wearing a lot of hats.” She enjoys the challenge.

“It has exceeded my expectations,” she said. “The ever-changing environment is one of the things that I love about the job – it’s something different every day.”

Earlier this year, Ms. Williams received the 2020 Marine Institute Alumni Award recognizing the professional accomplishments of alumni, their service to society and commitment to the MI and Memorial communities.

She has also been trying her hand at teaching and developed a maritime security course for MI’s bachelor of maritime studies in safety management introduced two years ago.

“It’s enjoyable and rewarding. To be able to develop something and have others learn from what you developed is a really nice feeling.”