Capt. R.S. Bajwa is the Founder Chairman of DRS Marine Services Pvt Ltd, Navi Mumbai. Having sailed for 18 years, with service as Master for several stints, he has successfully established this business venture. The career path of Captain RS Bajwa is inspiring for young seafarers. The extract from a brief interview Jobships.com had with Captain RS Bajwa on 01 Nov 2007 is reproduced below.

Jobships: How did you get into the seafaring profession?

Capt. Bajwa: This is a general question we ask the aspiring Cadets - Why do you want to join the Merchant Navy? Well, frankly saying, like any other young man, I too had the desire to see the world, take up a decent profession and earn good remuneration. My Uncle Capt. D.S. Bajwa (Ex-Dufferin and founder of Paramount Shipping) gave a lot of input on the merchant navy and he has inspired me to take up this profession. While I was perusing 1st year of engineering course, I got selected for Merchant Navy and joined BARBER SHIP MANG as a Cadet in the year 1983.

Jobships: What was the thought in your mind after joining Merchant Navy?

Capt. Bajwa: The challenges at sea, weather conditions, the inherent dangers of a shipboard life and staying away from parents surrounded my thoughts also. But one has to take up that challenge to progress in life. There is a story of a person who lived for hundred years worrying about hazardous situations that he might encounter, which never occurred. As I grew up, I learnt that I should be alert to tackle the worst case scenarios onboard, but shouldn’t keep worrying about such eventualities.

Jobships: What was your career goal at the time of joining the Merchant Navy?

Capt Bajwa: After Training, every seafarer looks forward to sail, see other countries and earn some money. As time passes, his priorities change. He craves to pass his examinations and get his promotions as fast as he can. Somewhere in between, he gets married and then again the priorities change. Family becomes more important than money. Family concerns generate a thought to establish ashore and this takes him ahead. I was also not much different from them.

Jobships: Since you have safely anchored ashore, would you please give a brief on your venture for the benefit of other seafarers who are about to follow?

Capt Bajwa: Shippies are restless people. They expect fast results and quick money. Business is a competitive field that involves high financial risk and we cannot expect wonders overnight. We have to identify a field that is compatible to your expertise. Strength, weakness, opportunities and threat (SWOT) analysis is essential. We have to consult people, do market surveys, analyze the financial implications, plan and organize before executing the project. There are people who have wound up their business and went back to sail. Once established, a business venture gives you a lot of freedom, time and money.

Jobships: Presently we are facing a huge shortage of seafarers. Don’t you think that migration of seafarers to shore assignments is widening this shortage and those who take up shore based jobs are not doing justice to their profession?

Capt Bajwa: Taking up a shore assignment is a personal decision and there is no meaning in holding a person who wants to quit. Moreover, a shippie will be adapted to a post where his expertise could be put into best use or he is needed there. Shipping being a specialized field, only seafarers can take up related job ashore and we cannot call it wastage of professional expertise.

Jobships: But, aren’t we loosing seniors or experienced seafarers from ship handling?

Capt Bajwa: Everyone can’t be accommodated for shore assignments. Companies prefer young people who are go getters, with additional management qualifications for shore assignments. And these posts are not available in plenty. Now the age limit for sailing has been relaxed and remuneration is also good. People are going back to ships and I believe that there is no wastage of expertise.

Jobships: But today, very young seafarers with little experience are appointed as Masters and Chief Engineers of VLCCs and VLGCs!!

Capt Bajwa: That’s true and even insurance companies are concerned about it. Companies shouldn’t encourage this trend. People having seven or more contracts as Chief Officer only should be considered for promotion to Master and so should be the case for Chief Engineers. But it is again the demand and supply situation that influences matters.

Jobships: What HR policies are adopted by shipping companies for retaining or attracting good people?

Capt Bajwa: The HR policies vary from company to company. Retaining good people depends on working environment (conditions) on ships, relation with the shore staff and of course terms and conditions being offered by companies.

Jobships: Is Jobships.com helpful to you in your candidate search functions?

Capt Bajwa: Jobships.com has benefited me a lot. At present, Jobships.com is the most popular jobsite among the seafarers.

Jobships: Do you think the working condition of seafarers onboard has improved globally, comparing to that of the seventies and eighties?

Capt Bajwa: Yes, the working conditions are improving. Accommodation, food, entertainment and money onboard are better. Seafarers are now well connected with the rest of the world and their family through the latest communication technologies like e-mail, mobile etc.

Jobships: What message you have for the young seafarers?

Capt Bajwa: It is a good time for the Shippies. You shouldn’t betray the company that gave you an opportunity to grow or served as a stepping stone. The loyalty bonus will serve you during rainy days.