To commemorate International Women's Day in the Maritime Sector (May 18), we interviewed talented women who collaborate with Grupo Industrial Durandco and Blue Marine on the high seas.

In this space, we asked Kimberly Durán, safety officer on the Stingray boat, a series of questions. She is originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa.

What are your main responsibilities on the boat?

As a maritime safety officer, I am responsible for implementing the company's management system, enforcing policies, and also for the vessel protection area. Basically, it's implementing all security and protection measures so that activities and operations are carried out safely.

What inspired you to work in this position?

Ever since I was a child, I was attracted to running. In my family there are people who practice the profession and it was always my goal and it became a challenge because it was a complicated career, where there weren't many women. So, I think that was the main challenge for me: to be able to do something that most people didn't do.

The values of Grupo Industrial Durandco are commitment, ethics, honesty, inclusion, integrity, leadership, respect, responsibility and teamwork. Which of these values do you most identify with?

Teamwork is important and I like being part of a good team. I think that on the boat I am on, we have made a very good team of work with all the staff. And that makes both the activities and the work environment more ideal.

Commitment is also important: I am committed to doing my best at all times. Persevere and learn more than I do.
To do my best and to deliver results. I think fortunately I have succeeded so far.

Do you feel that men in the sector recognize the work of women?

I think I've had the opportunity to work with different people and with different personalities. Every time I see that they are better adapted to having women on board. It used to be a little more complicated, they became protective or believed that mental resistance, not so much physical resistance, was like a setback for us and they have realized that this is not the case. Seeing what other colleagues have achieved in the sector, they are increasingly recognizing us.

What is your vision for the future in terms of women's participation? What would be your ideal dream in terms of the presence of women in the maritime sector?

I don't see it as much as a dream anymore, I see it more real. There are a lot of women on board. We already have the first high-altitude female captain on the boat and I think the next step is for there to be more. There are more women in the education, management and administrative systems; so we are entering more and more into the different spheres of the sector, and I think that will improve over time. It is no longer a distant dream, but we are in the process of making it more a reality.

What advice would you give to women who are about to graduate and who want to dedicate themselves to the maritime sector?

Let them not give up, that they persevere. It sounds scary, but it's very stimulating to be part of this work area, this environment. You learn a lot from a lot of things. You learn about yourself, what you are capable of and it tests you to resolve situations with determination and effort.

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