Romeeta – 3rd Electro-Technical Officer
As the first Indian ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) on board Britannia, Romeeta is a proud role model for women in maritime.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m from a close-knit family of four and live in Mumbai, India.
Before joining the Carnival UK maritime team I worked for four years as an ETO on cargo ships responsible for all electrical and electronics equipment, power management system, control and automation system, marine and deck safety equipment, lighting system, along with refrigeration and ventilation.
I also worked as a electrical superintendent for two years involved more in daily electrical support, navcom support and I was handling an LED project where I had 64 vessels to manage.
How does your job on Britannia compare to your previous roles?
Life is completely different! Here the Electro-Technical team is part of a bigger technical team which itself is a dream team to work with. Compared to cargo, cruise ships are huge so there’s much more equipment and machinery spaces.
I love the way my team support me for my betterment and improvement each day. Every day is different and there’s always something new to learn here.
What are you responsible for as 3rd ETO?
I maintain the crew and guest lift system through daily inspections and i’m also responsible for maintenance and testing of the fire detection system – we have lots of sensors installed at different locations as it’s an important part of the safety system onboard .
I also support the 2nd ETO Marine, 2nd ETO Hotel and 2nd ETO Engine with tasks and they support me with my learning and development.
I’ve always wanted to work on a cruise ship and was so thankful I got this opportunity.
What’s your proudest career moment?
When I got to know from my team on Britannia that I am the first Indian ETO; that was really a proud moment for me and it also shows the company is making sure everyone has an equal opportunity.
Why did you want to work for Carnival UK Maritime?
P&O Cruises and Cunard are two of the best cruise lines in the cruise industry. I can say they treat everyone equally, the work culture is so nice and you never feel alone in the team – line managers are always ready to help and guide and listen to your concerns and support you.
I feel Britannia now is my second home. I am really proud and lucky to be part of the CUK family.
What’s it like being a female in maritime?
When I was sailing as ETO on cargo vessels people judged me on the basis of my gender. The workload for an ETO on cargo ships is physically and mentally very challenging so I had to push myself more to prove my abilities.
However on Britannia everybody has been so welcoming and supportive and I’ve always felt part of the team.
Do you have any advice for someone starting out in the same career as you?
Be prepared to challenge yourself each day to grow in this field. And once you are in an ETO career always remember; “Never be afraid of electricity, but do always respect electricity”.
What’s your favourite port?
Southampton; that’s the best port for me as I joined my first cruise vessel from this port. There’s also a wonderful Indian restaurant I always visit!
What do you do to unwind and look after your wellbeing and mental health?
I love reading books which relaxes my mind. Onboard Britannia we have really good library where you can sit and read a lot of books and spend your time well. I also work out for 30/40 mins each day which keeps my body and mental fitness well – we have super cool gyms onboard. And I do play indoor games like table tennis and foosball.
Do you have any favourite moments from living and working on a ship?
My first team dinner at the Glass House Restaurant. It was so special because I was able to get to know everyone more.
What makes a #GoodDayAtSea?
When at the end of the day you can say it was a productive day and you learnt something new. I’m really looking forward to progressing my career with Carnival UK Maritime.
