User:AndrePersad

Hi! My name is Andre Persad and I'm an Engineer and Maritime Professional from Trinidad and Tobago in the Southern Caribbean. For over 10 years, I've been involved in Operations, Technical, Commercial, HSEQ and Leadership roles with Offshore Supply, Anchor Handling Vessels and Tugs in the Caribbean, North America and most recently in the Middle East. I have an affinity for people and believe in a person's potential and ability to do positive things. I enjoy visiting the vessels, meeting the Master and Crew, hearing their stories, their challenges and offer support, assistance and training where I can. As a founding member of the MaritimeWiki, the online maritime database, we've set out to make a difference in the maritime industry. We do this by bringing together those professionals in all disciplines such as vessel owners, seafarers, brokers, surveyors, HSE practicioners, technicians and superintendents from all around the world to contribute, share and access data and enable them the tools for better decision making in their maritime careers. In essence, it is a body of knowledge for the maritime industry that is created by the maritime industry.

So why do all of this? Is it the challenge and the excitement that such a project offers? Is it some sense of nobility and pride that one feels by helping a fellow maritime professional? Or is it the need to make a difference in our corner of the maritime world? Well.....for me, its all of the above! What's in it for you...what's your passion?

Here's a true story that will stay with me for the rest of my life....my first day ever on a vessel several years ago, just fresh out of university...I remember walking into the mess-room and I met up with the Chief Engineer who was having his lunch. Not wanting to disturb him, I asked if I could go with the second engineer for a tour of the engine room to see what it was like. So the second engineer took me down and gave me a nice tour of the propulsion system, the main and auxilary engines, the main engine control room where the switchboard was stationed, steering system and so on. As I gleamed in wonder at all these new and exciting challenges, I jotted down quick notes to discuss with the Chief Engineer. I came back to the mess room where the Chief Engineer had completed his lunch and I began by commending him on his Machinery Spaces. Then I proceeded to ask him friendly questions about it, thinking that he would be 'impressed' with my thirst for knowledge. I was immediately taken aback by his unfortunate statement, "Young man! (he said, with a scoff) you will NEVER know half as much of the things that I know today." Bewildered and confused, I sank back into my chair in disbelief and was 'torn' for the rest of that week. Fascination, excitement and inquisitiveness quickly turned to anxiety, fear and reservation. This statement, I always remembered throughout my entire working life, and I vowed to prove him wrong, help others along the way, and never let anyone that worked with me to fall victim to negative-minded people. I have not looked back since!

So whatever, your story, your history or your challenge has been in life; take that extra time to help someone coming up the ranks, as remember, at some point in your career, you were that young maritime professional asking for help.