今日上海
赋能之旅:中国首位女性北极航海家 - 2023年07月16日
Empowering journeys: China's first female Arctic navigator
When Bai Xiang'en applied to major in navigation technology at college, she had an inkling of what might await her: In those days, the maritime realm was thought to be a male-only space.
Defying stereotype at sea
"Back then, the idea of women steering ships was met with disbelief," the marine officer reflected.
It was an unspoken rule that the helm of a ship was off-limits to women, but that did not dissuade Bai. In fact, her college course had an applicant gender ratio of a staggering 10 to 1. Few believed that a woman could command a massive vessel from the captain's bridge.
"I'll prove that women are equal to men, and I'm willing to spend even decades to change people's preconceptions," said Bai in defiance of the biases.
The early days at sea tested her mettle. Nausea and seasickness plagued the crew, leaving many male trainees retching. But Bai concealed pickled vegetables beneath her tongue, a remedy she believed could stave off the sickness. "If I must vomit, I won't do it in their presence."
From first aid to driving, Bai excelled in every task she undertook. Her dedication bore fruit in 2012 when she became the second officer on the research icebreaker Xuelong, joining the fifth Arctic expedition. She made history as the first female Chinese marine officer to navigate the Arctic Ocean, a breakthrough for Chinese women in this field.
Triumphs and trials in the Arctic
Bai's journey was far from smooth sailing. During the polar expedition in August 2012, a harrowing incident unfolded. The icebreaker, braving treacherous Arctic waters, found itself entangled amid ice ridges. Efforts to break through or adjust course proved futile.
Under the captain's steady guidance, Bai and the crew manipulated the ballast system in a valiant effort. They rocked the ship to break the grasping ice. After hours of tilting and swaying, the hull finally smashed through the frozen barrier. The heart-stopping 10 hours left the exhausted crew in tears.
Accidents happened from time to time during the ice operations. Once, Bai accidentally stepped into an ice hole, nearly losing all feeling in her body. Fortunately, her fellow crew pulled her to safety.
Work-life harmony
Haunting experiences like these stirred her to reflect on her bond with her family. "I'm actually a family person," the marine officer confessed, revealing the sacrifices she made to stay connected with them during her voyages.
Even when every text message carried a steep price, she found a way to send messages to her loved ones. Each character counted, and she begrudgingly sacrificed punctuation marks to squeeze in more words.
In 2018, Bai welcomed her first child, embarking on a new chapter in her life.
Nevertheless, her impact on the maritime world continued to expand as she assumed the role of Associate Professor at Shanghai Maritime University.
In her maritime uniform, she now shares her vast knowledge of navigation with her eager students. Unlike when Bai entered college, many students are women, inspired by Bai, herself a guiding beacon for younger generations.
Source: Xinhua
