Rising Through the Ranks: The Story of Christalove Agyin-Ayetse, Apprentice Deck Officer at Hafnia

Christalove Agyin-Ayetse’s journey to a life at sea began long before she ever stepped on board a vessel. It began with her father, a man who grew up in a small fishing village in Ghana with dreams of becoming a seafarer, dreams he never had the chance to pursue. His stories and passion for the ocean planted a seed that stayed with her, shaping her path long before she realized that maritime was her calling.

A defining moment came in 2010, when Christalove watched the crew of the MV Logos Hope work together with unity and purpose during the ship’s visit to Ghana. Seeing that level of coordination and impact stirred something within her. For the first time, she could see a future for herself in this world, a place where she could contribute to something larger than she had ever imagined. That spark grew even stronger in 2018 when she attended a maritime workshop hosted by the Centre for Maritime Training and Development. Surrounded by professionals and, importantly, successful women in maritime, she gained the confidence to not only consider a career at sea but to believe she could thrive in it.

Today, Christalove serves as an Apprentice Deck Officer with Hafnia, gaining hands-on experience on oil, chemical, and gas tankers. Working in such high-risk, technically demanding environments has taught her that attention to detail, steady communication, and situational awareness are not just valuable skills, but essential ones. Tanker operations require discipline, calm decision-making, and a willingness to adapt quickly when conditions change. She has learned to navigate that complexity with precision, always grounded in her commitment to safety and teamwork.

Much of her early learning came from participating in more than eighty mooring operations and countless bridge watches, experiences that shaped her understanding of what it truly means to collaborate and lead at sea. These moments reinforced her belief that every mariner, regardless of rank, contributes to vessel safety. The STCW and ISM Codes provided the structure, but real-world operations taught her the nuance: leadership is about staying alert, speaking up, and fostering an environment where every member of the team feels responsible for the mission.

Her foundation is strengthened by time spent working onshore in administration, operations, and market intelligence. That experience gave her insight into the broader mechanics of global trade and logistics. It helped her understand how every navigational decision, every port operation, and every task carried out on deck directly affects the efficiency of the entire supply chain. It gave her perspective, purpose, and clarity about the role mariners play in the world economy.

Christalove carries with her a piece of advice she once received from a Chief Officer, who told her that women often make exceptional navigators and cargo operators because they notice small details others may overlook. That comment stayed with her, reinforcing her belief that leadership is not about loudness or authority but about awareness, empathy, and the quiet strength found in precision.

A typical day on a Hafnia vessel reflects the balance of structure and unpredictability that she has come to appreciate. Her mornings begin with the 0800 to 1200 navigational watch, followed by afternoons dedicated to maintenance, learning bridge systems, and gaining hands-on technical experience. Evenings involve training record book updates, study, and a second night watch from 2000 to midnight. Whether at sea or in port, her duties blend navigation, maintenance, cargo work, documentation, and safety equipment checks, all under the guidance of senior officers. What she enjoys most is the constant learning, the diversity of people she meets, and the simple beauty of the sea that greets her every day.

Beyond her own career, Christalove has become a powerful advocate for representation and inclusion. As a founding member of Black Women at Sea and an active Women Offshore Ambassador, she is committed to making sure that young African women see the maritime industry as a place where they belong. Through mentorship with Women Offshore and CMTD, she supports and uplifts the next generation, sharing the guidance and encouragement she wishes she had earlier in her own journey.

Her message to young women entering maritime is clear and empowering: cultivate a growth mindset, embrace feedback, and never doubt that you belong in this industry. She reminds them that strength is found through challenges and that resilience is built each time they choose to keep going.

Continuous learning is part of her identity. She keeps up with industry developments through training, certifications, studying new STCW amendments, and taking advantage of every opportunity to expand her technical capabilities. She believes the biggest opportunities in the tanker sector, particularly for women, lie in the industry’s increasing recognition of the value of diverse leadership. She sees a future with more women commanding vessels, influencing policy, and shaping operations both at sea and ashore.

What drives Christalove is the knowledge that her journey creates space for others. Every barrier she overcomes makes the path wider for the next woman who dreams of standing on a bridge wing, leading a watch, or taking command. Her long-term vision is to rise through the ranks to Captain one day and eventually move into a role where she can shape policy and promote safety, equity, and opportunity throughout the maritime sector.

Christalove’s story is one of purpose, perseverance, and pride. She sails not only for herself but for her father’s dream, for the young women who look to her for guidance, and for a maritime future defined by inclusion, excellence, and possibility.