President Danny Faure received the first female Seychellois working as First Officer on board Inter Island Boats Ltd., Ms Marie-Jeanne Pathon, at State House today. Inter Island Boats Ltd. is the parent company of ‘Cat Cocos’, one of the leading fast ferry operators in Seychelles connecting the three main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

Ms Pathon is aiming to become a Captain and set an example to other women who aspire to join the navigation and trade business.

President Faure congratulated her on the achievement and expressed his hope that she would inspire other young female Seychellois who wish to pursue a career in navigation. He encouraged her to continue to work hard to become the first female Captain in this domain in Seychelles.

“I would like to congratulate you and express our sincere appreciation for your hard work and dedication. Your achievement today should be an example to our young women around the country who wish to pursue a career at sea. Your determination to become a Captain cannot be left unnoticed and I assure you that you will always have my support. As a country, we are proud of what you have been able to achieve and we will continue to encourage you,” said President Faure.

During the meeting with the President, Ms Pathon shared her journey thus far and the experience she has acquired in navigation after working on various small boats and big vessels both locally and internationally. She also expressed her plans for the future.

The 36-year-old started her career in 2008 following her studies at the Seychelles Maritime School with the then Seychelles Marketing Board fleet of vessels. Four years later she joined Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEYPEC) to work on its fleet of tankers. According to Ms Pathon, working on the tankers were times of trial but it also allowed her to discover almost all of the European coasts as well as the western coast of Africa.

As First Officer, Ms Pathon works on all four vessels of Inter-Island Boats Ltd including the Isle of Mahe, Isle of Praslin, Isle of La Digue and Isle of La Digue Star.