Woman in Maritime : Mrs. Racky KANE Port Officer and PFSO at the Dakar Port Authority

1/ Do introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Mrs. TALLA Racky KANE. I graduated from the Maritime School of Bou-Ismail in Algeria with the diploma of Port Officer after completing the secondary school. Currently, I am at the Dakar Port Authority (Senegal) as Deputy Port Officer but also Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) at the fishing port (Mole10).

2/ Introduce us to the position you hold?

I hold the position of PFSO at the multi-purpose operational center (Security Service) level. As an PFSO, there is quite a bit of attribution that I can list regarding my missions :

• Ensure the development and update of the security assessment and Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP);
• Implement the provisions of the security plans in the port area in relation to the pilot station, the harbour master’s office, and concession of port facilities and the authorities in charge of the security management within the harbour. However, there is also the organisation of the tests, that is, of the drill (training) and the exercises according to the provisions of the PFSP;
• Carry out regular security inspections of the Port Facility to ensure that security measures remain appropriate;
• Recommend and incorporate necessary changes to the PFSP to address deficiencies and update plans to reflect relevant changes to the facility;
• Increase security awareness and vigilance of the Port Facility personnel;
• Ensure that facility security personnel have received adequate training, i.e., security guards;
• Report to the department head and maintain a record of events that threaten the security of the facility, i.e., Security Impact Report;
• Coordinate the implementation of the facility security plan with the appropriate security officer(s) of the ship’s company;
• Ensure coordination with security services;
• Ensure that instructions given to facility security personnel are followed;
• Ensure that security equipment is properly used, tested, maintained, calibrated;
• Also assist the ship security officer in confirming their requests for identity of persons seeking to board the ship;

In short, as a security officer we have an obligation to implement the ISPS Code at the Port facility level. That is, we have a duty to ensure preventive safety.

3/ What are the challenges you face in this position?

You know the ISPS Code is new (2004). Users are not used to such measures, that is to say the additional controls. Prior to the ISPS Code, the checks were carried out only at the level of customs barriers. Now with the ISPS code, there is also another control at the entry level of the port facilities. Since users are not used to this new system, it takes enough patience to make them aware of and follow the rules.

4/ What are the challenges you face as a woman in the maritime field in general?

As a female officer, or PFSO woman, doing a “man’s job” (as people usually say), I don’t have a problem at the office or in the field. I can however say that it is not easy to be an officer and a mother with a young child (or who are still in breast milk). It is often difficult sometimes on the family side, especially when you have to work all week and sometimes Saturday and Sunday, or come home late, often because of an incident at work. But work is fine. Thank God. We build a good team with my colleagues. There is real team spirit.

5/ What are the qualifications required for this position?

With regard to diplomas, we need adequate and adapted training. To be PFSO, there is mandatory training to do. You have to have the ISPS certificate first. It is a paid training of few days (about less than a week) delivered by recognized organizations. The training is a little bit expensive, but often paid for by the employer.

6/ What are the personal qualities required for this position?

In terms of the qualifications that are required for this position, training is the first step. Then availability, rigour and above all the will. You must be available especially, because you can have a call at any time (e.g.: 10 PM, 11 PM) at your home.

7/ Your closing remarks.

First of all, thank you for choosing me. I am very touched. A big thank to Pascaline Odoubourou, the founder and editor-in-chief. I thank you to the entire team of MARITIMAFRICA.

A small message to the women, my sisters:

“Be brave, courageous, fight in life. Know that in life, you must fight. Never give up, because life is a battle. Everything comes at the right time, to those who know how to wait. Never underestimate yourself. Always tell yourself that you can do it… Have a strong will too. You just have to keep your dignity high”.

Source : Maritimafrica Mag 001