For as long as she can remember, Delphine always loved being on the water. An outdoor enthusiast, she worked as a kayak instructor and tour guide for years. And it was this passion for the sea that brought her to the SIU in July 2018.
Although she began her career as an ordinary seaman, Delphine had a specific goal in mind: to become a mechanical assistant. Thanks to her hard work and determination, this dream is now a reality.
Before joining the Union, Delphine worked for the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ). She had a job in one of their ship repair shops, and her boss at the time inspired her to continue her passion for mechanics.
“He used to work as a mechanic for the coast guard. He was very skilled, knowledgeable and resourceful. He always knew exactly what to do, regardless of the situation. He became a great inspiration to me and made me want to work in the engine room of a ship.”
Delphine knew she had a long way to go before she could achieve her goal, but she was determined. After joining the SIU, she spent extra hours at night in the engine room, on top of working full shifts as an ordinary seaman, to accumulate her time at sea and develop her skills.
In addition to her hard work, Delphine was able to rely on the support of her colleagues.
“I had the opportunity to work with skilled engineers who encouraged me to constantly improve myself. They taught me a lot, but most of all, they put their trust in me. They knew that I could do the various tasks they assigned me. With their help, I was able to hone my skills.”
Today, Delphine is proud to work as a mechanical assistant. Her curiosity, creativity, efficiency and, above all, her determination allowed her to realize her dream and are today admired by her peers. She loves her job and hopes to pursue a long career at sea.
“Every day brings its share of challenges, surprises and action. The crew members are welcoming and quickly become like a second family. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m motivated to continue to push my limits.”
