13.04.2020
Rodrigo Fabireza dos Santos Melo
Rodrigo started his maritime career with us as a Deck cadet and today he is Captain onboard the anchor handler Far Sagaris. Read more about his perspective on the diversity in Solstad and how this further strengthen the company.
Title: Captain
Joined Solstad: 2010
Country: Brazil
What is your background?
I have graduated in Brazilian Merchant Marine Academy (EFOMM) in 2008 and a bachelor degree in Nautical Sciences.
When and how did your story with Solstad start?
I kicked off my maritime career as a Deck Cadet in the Company just fresh out of the Merchant Marine Academy. Solstad is well know to be an important player on the offshore market in Brazil, and I didn’t think twice to have it as my first choice for starting my sea life.
Can you explain what your currently do?
I’m currently serving as a Master on an AHTS mobilised with deep sea ROV and A-Frame for subsea equipment deployment. In other words, this kind of vessel might be present from the very beginning of the installation phase of drilling rigs and FPSO to inspection, maintenance and repair of subsea structures during the whole production on the field.
How do you perceive career opportunities in the Company?
Having started off as a Deck Cadet and making my way to a Captain in the Company is a great example on how Solstad values its employees and grants us not just career opportunities but tools to build up our knowledge, experience and competence in the highly competitive offshore market.
What do you want to highlight from your current position?
Being responsible to manage all aspects of the vessel operations as a Captain is tremendously gratifying, and only feasible with assistance and partnership between all crew members onboard and implacable assistance from the onshore departments.
In Solstad we now have 49 nationalities and we encourage diversity. Can you relate to a situation where diversity has improved the results in your daily work?
The benefits of a culturally diverse crew on a vessel are appreciable on the everyday challenges that offshore operations presents us. Our vessel currently has five different nationalities (between crew and third party) with ages ranging from early twenties Cadets to highly experienced individuals in their sixties.
Providing an environment where everyone’s opinion counts, from this many unique perspectives and competencies, is a key element for successful and safe operations at sea.
Shipping is traditionally a male industry but Solstad believe in equal opportunities. Would you recommend women to start a career in Solstad?
It is well known that gender balance and equality contributes for enhancing performance of organisations. I would strongly recommend this new generation of strong, talented and empowered women to be part of our team and assist us on the efforts towards a more progressive, sustainable and innovative environment.
Would you recommend young people to start a career in Solstad?
Starting your career in Solstad, which is not only a worldwide provider of specialized offshore vessels working on the most important segments on the market, but also where all employees are deemed key personnel, and treated fairly and with respect will be your first waypoint in the rewarding and fulfilling voyage that is working at sea.