From fishing technician to Tanker Master

SEYPEC welcomes yet another Seychellois vessel Master on ‘Seychelles Pride’

The 36-year old Daniel Steven Hoareau was appointed Master of the ‘Seychelles Pride’, the 21353t tanker in early March this year thereby crowning a blistering career with SEYPEC. The journey for this young Seychellois from his days at the English River School to the summit of a seafarer’s life is a just reward for his limitless abnegation, flawless application and diligent professionalism. Upon his appointment in March, Captain Hoareau accessed the most coveted post by everyone who embraces a career at sea. Today he becomes a paragon for all young Seychellois who want to rise the degrees of employment at sea. 

An emotional Captain Hoareau told Nation that his achievement is the recognition of his dedicated work since joining the marine community. ‘The journey to become a Master has been both challenging and exciting. This is a childhood dream come true! The Master position is a demanding job requiring competencies to tackle most difficult situations and this aptitude only springs from serious training. This job demands patience and serious studies. It involves taking every bad situation as a learning experience, having a positive attitude, not dwelling in the past and keeping motivation always on high peaks. It also requires qualities such as respect for all those around and finding a mentor for accurate guidance.’

The success in the career of Captain Hoareau who joined the company in 2005 is also a matter of pride for SEYPEC which is witnessing a fair return on its investment in valuable human resources available in Seychelles. ‘We have always believed in the potentials of our people, we have always endeavoured to develop their talents and to offer them the best opportunities,’ SEYPEC CEO Conrad Benoiton told Nation. ‘We pride ourselves to having a wholly Seychellois workforce and we shall always pursue in this noble venture. We are indeed honoured to welcome another son of the country at the head of one of our tankers. Captain Hoareau has an in-depth understanding of the vessel he is now to head. I have every confidence that he will continue to uphold the high standards that our customers and other stakeholders rightly demand from an ocean carrier.’

Captain Hoareau reflects on his new role in a quite favourable context of the tanker activities. ‘I am delighted to take on this role. It comes at a time when the markets are just beginning to recover and when our fleet is rejuvenating and growing its breadth of capabilities.  Our tanker service has a bright future and I look forward to being a part of that.’

The new ‘Seychelles Pride’ Master is also very grateful to those who has initiated and consolidated him in his choice of career. ‘I would not have been able to achieve my goals in life without the encouragement of my supportive wife and kids. They are the pillars of my achievement. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my late father Cpt. G. Hoareau, my family, friends and SEYPEC for taking part in my journey. I must send a special thank you to my Uncle Cpt. B. Hoareau, R. Sauvage, Cpt. G. Adam, Cpt. E. Hoareau and my mentor Cpt. R. Morgan.’

From his early childhood in the 1980’s, the young Daniel Steven Hoareau contemplated the ocean and had that cherished desire of making it his work place. After joining the Seychelles Maritime School in 1997, he went on to achieve the grade of Fishing Captain at the Reunion Island Maritime School. It was a turning point in his already successful career when he was recruited by SEYPEC and very soon he was going to have all that lead to the top levels in the merchant navy. A term at Singapore Maritime Academy gave him the Deck Officer Class 3 qualification and he was then admitted to the prestigious Australian Maritime Academy where he unhooked his grade of Deck Officer Class 1 & 2. The young Officer Daniel Hoareau was put into orbit to reach other summits in Australia where he was received as Master Mariner Class 1 in 2015. It was the key which finally allowed him to be in full control of a ship worthy of that name in March this year.

During the past years, Captain Hoareau has worked on several tankers of the SEYPEC fleet. He started as a 3rd Officer on the ‘Seychelles Pioneer’,  then progressed in the capacity of 2nd Officer on the ‘Seychelles Patriot’ and ‘Seychelles Progress’ to reach the level of Chief Officer on the ‘Seychelles Pride’ in 2013 before attaining the post of Master of the same vessel this current year. This remarkable track record has only been and is still possible through immense sacrifices.

The life of a Master is one of long journeys away from home and Captain Hoareau reflects on the strongest bonds that tie him with his loved ones.  ‘When I sign off the ship, I try to keep my work away from my family and this allows me to balance the time when I’m not at home. I like to spend time with my wife and kids enjoying every minute of it.In fact my wife is the balance of my family. She always motivates me and lets me know what the kids like, so I can surprise them with a gift when I come home. I am lucky as she takes good care of us and she does her best to explain to the kids why I’m not there when I’m needed.  Sometimes this could be hard when my vacation is cut short due to training or a new contract. It’s always a challenge when you are away for so long as I’m at home about 4 months a year only and I have been doing this job for 10 years now. I miss my wife and kids, their birthdays and other fun moments.But there are so many rewards that my job provides:  I can be financially independent, I have a very interesting job, I can provide a good education to my kids and I can plan for a good future.’

Over the past years, SEYPEC has initiated a sustainable policy to build a competent and flexible workforce capable of meeting the challenges of the external and internal environments.The attainment of Captain Hoareau is yet another testimony of this forceful strategy. Training at all levels transcends services ranging from operations, technical, commercial, corporate affairs and protection services. ‘During the past years, recruitment and training of local seafarers have taken a greater dimension and in 2016, 175 Seychellois are expected to be employed on the SEYPEC tankers around the world,’ the company’s Shipping and Crew Manager told Nation. ‘Continuous training is adamantly on the agenda all throughout the year. Just to mention a few of them, we offer skills and competencies upgrade opportunities ranging from courses on Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems to preparatory sessions covering both navigation and engineering topics aimed at equipping mariners with a global understanding of the undertakings on board a vessel. We also make sure to give personal social education to all first time seafarers with an insight in nutrition, physical exercise, hygiene, sexual education, dress code, working in multinational crews amongst other topics.’

Captain Hoareau now sets himself the noble objective of mentoring some of our young fellow citizens helping them to climb up the degrees in their careers. He vows to return the numerous and most precious support to others in the same way he himself had received since the outset of his ‘dream-come-true’ journey to success.