Sahar Rasti.. An Emirati captain who conquers the sea with determination and determination

If we go back 50 years, what we will read in these lines would have been a fantasy, but in the country of the impossible has become a reality and even a habit. The Emirati naval captain, Sahar Rasti, in addition to being a captain who roams the seas and oceans, is also the first Emirati woman, founder and CEO of a navigation company. in the marine sector.

Rasti says: The founder of the state, the late, God willing, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, was keen to support Emirati women and enhance their vital role in building the state, and Emirati women enjoyed unlimited support from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood “Mother of the Emirates”, which encouraged Rusty to her strong presence as a marine captain, and to prove her competence and excellence in all the tasks she assumed.

She explained that today, she has become a source of inspiration for many female students in naval academies and colleges, to enter this field.

In this context, the Emirati naval captain, Sahar Rasti, said: “I joined Abu Dhabi Ports in 2014, and became an administrative assistant in 2015. Then move to the section that suits me.

As for me, I never wanted to work in a stereotyped manner, and during a period of 6 months, I noticed in one of the departments, which is the navigational services, specifically the maintenance of buoys, that no women work in it, and I asked to work in this department despite the official’s suggestion that I work in another department, but with My insistence was approved that I actually work in this department, which required me to be on the ship for more than 8 hours, and I still remember that I cried on this day.”

She added: “Yes, I suffered from some kind of hardship at work, and the heat of the sun, which made me feel dizzy after being for long hours on the ship, and at sea, and to note, my first job in my work was to maintain the buoys for long hours, such as organizing them, removing the debris stuck in them, and returning color it.”

Marine Captain Sahar Rasti also explained that the Naval College in the city of Khorfakkan in the Emirate of Sharjah hosts today about 135 students, 35 of whom are female students whose ambitions are to become marine engineers or captains.

On the other hand, Rasti pointed out that there is a cooperation project between her and the Suez Canal, which will be announced later. She added: “I do not hide that our cruises are not without challenges, which are represented in the hardship of the sea for long hours, between 8 to 12 hours, within the framework of long cruises, especially commercial ones, in addition to the weather condition, especially during the period of fog, the condition of the sea and the lack of Its stability is like the turbulence of waves.

She revealed that she has joined a special diving program that qualifies her to be a diver in the field of environmental conservation. Rusty confirmed that she faced many social challenges, to prove herself in a field she insisted on achieving success in, noting that she does not compete with her male colleagues in the field, as much as she is keen to implement what the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, emphasized. That the relationship of man and woman is one of participation and existence, as Rasti strives to achieve a balance between her work and her family, especially her children who see her as role models, and a source of strength, giving and creativity.

She expressed her unlimited happiness, but she is fortunate to be an Emirati young woman who is passionate about her Arab and Islamic identity, and at the same time proud of her national contributions, which they have achieved with creativity and distinction, especially in the maritime sector.