James Maupin (IRI Houston), Captain Maria Kristina Javellana, and Christopher Roberts (IRI Houston).
Captain Maria Kristina Javellana, a graduate of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) is the first Filipina woman to command as shipmaster of an overseas merchant ship. She is currently serving aboard the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) flagged chemical/oil products tanker CHEMBULK VIRGIN GORDA.
After starting her career as a cadet in 2006, Captain Javellana began working aboard bulk carriers and container ships. But, looking for continued challenges, she has spent recent years building her experience managing more specialised vessels, such as oil and chemical tankers.
After earning her professional sea navigation credentials as Master of CHEMBULK GIBRALTAR, a 20,601 deadweight ton (DWT) tanker, Captain Javellana, 32, of Silay City assumed the ship’s Master position last May.
“I am thankful to Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, my MAAP President, as well as Dr. Conrado F. Oca, the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines President and Chairman, for their support and encouragement during my stay at the MAAP and training aboard training ship KAPITAN FELIX OCA, currently skippered by Captain George de la Cruz,” she said.
“Working aboard a specialized ship is very challenging, as they can carry chemicals of all sorts, from Class 1 to ordinary. There have been times in my career when we’ve carried 30 different chemicals in one ship, and that requires special attention and alertness to maintain safety at all times. As Master, I must always be aware of extra information, such as stowage, segregation, and chemical compatibility.”
International Registries, Inc. and its affiliates (IRI), which provide administrative and technical support to the RMI Maritime and Corporate Registries, extends its congratulations to Captain Javellana.
Brian Poskaitis, Senior Vice President, Fleet Operations, said of the milestone:
“We are proud to play a part in such a historic story, and we are inspired by Captain Javellana’s hard work and dedication in becoming the first female Filipina ship Master. As the second largest registry in the world, we are constantly amazed by the individual and collective stories that come from within our flag, and we look forward to encouraging similar successes in future.”
Source: Manila Bulletin
