Life at sea is not for everyone. The physical demands are challenging, with little time for rest and relaxation. On top of that, isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, homesickness, and even depression. While these adversities may be discouraging, they have played a significant role in propelling Divesh Chandra to the top of his game. It has also allowed him to see the beauty of many sunlit islands and countries across the world.
Originally from Labasa in the province of Macuata, the 27-year-old grew up in Suva and today works in marine engineering, a profession responsible for the internal systems of a ship. He developed a passion for seafaring at the age of eight and, against all odds, became the first seafarer in his family.
His educational journey began at Rishikul Primary School and Rishikul Sanatan College in Nasinu. “Since Class 8, I have always wanted to work on a boat,” he said. “So between Form 5 and 7, I took tech-science and my interest in engineering grew. I got an opening to work on a government ship as an apprentice. At that time, I did not know anything about marine engineering.”
“I didn’t even know about the different types of ships, but I grabbed the opportunity.” Despite physics not being his best subject in high school, engineering became fascinating to him in tertiary studies. “I started loving physics, and then, of course, engineering, engines, and how they worked.”
Being an Indo-Fijian, many people did not believe working at sea as a ship engineer was a fitting profession for him. “My family would question whether I would cope in this industry. They would tell me it would suit me better to change my studies.”
Divesh said words of discouragement and disbelief could have forced him to quit, but he chose to persevere and held his dreams close to his heart. “I said, ‘all right, no worries. Let me attain something through this, and if things do not work out… I’ll switch.’”
He never switched and never looked back. In the end, he was awarded the best apprentice in marine engineering and graduated from NTPC (National Training and Productivity Centre) and the Fiji National University (FNU). Despite his early success, Divesh believed he still had a lot to learn, achieve, and give. So he ended up furthering his studies at the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies (PCMS).
“I used to think the school (PCMS) was only for captains, but I later learned there were also marine engineers there, and they were paid well.” One of the advantages of being a seafarer, he said, was the opportunity to travel and see the world. He has already been to Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and all the islands in Fiji.
“My first trip was to Rotuma, and that was 36 hours from Suva,” he reminisced. “We encountered very bad weather, and I was full-on puking. My chief engineer told me, ‘just go and rest,’ but I kept pushing myself.” To date, Divesh hasn’t had any sea sickness again. He believes that all those challenges were his stepping stones to greater things ahead.
He said the best way to survive the hardships at sea was by embracing the spirit of camaraderie and enjoying the company of crew members. “On a ship, we have to share bunks, washrooms, and dining areas. Socialising with crew members is important, and so is helping each other out.”
“Once, I met an electrician, so he would teach me the electrical side of things while I helped with tips on the English language.” Despite their back-breaking duties and the demanding tasks at sea, he said seafarers enjoyed some of the greatest moments in life.
Looking back at his journey, Divesh said he was thankful to his family and loved ones for their unwavering support during his time studying and working at sea. He said an unforgettable aspect of being a seafarer was the opportunity to be close to nature and witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Interestingly, during his time spent studying to become a marine engineer, Divesh was one of the contestants in the 2018 Hibiscus Festival. He said it was a good experience balancing school and participating in the pageant, where he won the Mr. People’s Choice, Mr. Internet, and The Best Dressed awards.
Today, Divesh teaches aspiring marine engineers at the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies, giving back to the industry that empowered him. “I did not plan to come and teach, but our previous CEO suggested the idea,” he said. “I went out to sea and spent time contemplating the teaching offer. Then I came back and was approached again, so I decided to give it a try.”
Now he shares his wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience with his cadets and apprentices. To encourage them, he reminds them about what his own dad used to share with him as a young man. “From my younger days, my dad used to tell me that knowing is one thing, and understanding is another.”
He said this simple rule allowed him to effectively learn, understand, and work as a marine engineer and teacher. “I follow that simple rule wherever I go, and it has helped me in many ways. I hope others will follow it, and I look forward to seeing more individuals take up marine engineering as a career.”