Shantell Compton charts new course for Vincentian women by attaining WMU degree 

Shantell Compton becomes second Vincentian woman to graduate from

By Admin. Updated 4:15 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Shantell Compton of Prospect has become only the second Vincentian woman to graduate from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden.

Compton graduated on Saturday 31 October 2026 with a Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, specialising in Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration. She now returns home to take up the post of Senior Inspector of Ships at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (SVGMARAD). She is likely to be the first Vincentian woman to hold that position.

The first Vincentian woman to attend WMU was Esther Derrick, who has since retired from SVGMARAD. A number of Vincentian men are also graduates of the university, including the current Director of SVGMARAD, Hyrone Johnson.

Compton was not the only Vincentian in this year’s graduating class. Deszon Andrews of the SVG Coast Guard and Halson Daniel of SVGMARAD also graduated, though Daniel did not attend the ceremony.

WMU was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency responsible for shipping. Students are selected through their governments and must be connected to the maritime sector. Compton’s programme ran for about 14 months, from 15 September 2025 to 31 October 2026, and was sponsored by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.

From the Coast Guard to Malmö

Compton served nine years with the SVG Coast Guard, leaving as an Able-Bodied Seaman. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and Maritime Operations at the University of Trinidad and Tobago before joining SVGMARAD, where her work included vessel inspections, maritime safety and compliance.

She said she pursued postgraduate studies to strengthen her technical knowledge and to contribute more to the country’s maritime administration.

Her specialisation covered maritime law, ship safety, protection of the marine environment and the implementation of international maritime conventions.

While at WMU, she took part in a study visit to the Republic of Korea, where students looked at shipbuilding, green shipping, port operations and marine environmental protection. In London, she attended the 13th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 13). She also visited the International Mobile Satellite Organization, NYK Line and the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.

Her classmates elected her Course Representative for the Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration specialisation.

Research on women in the maritime sector

Compton’s dissertation examined bullying, harassment and the welfare of women working in the maritime sector in St Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean. The study compared the experiences of female seafarers with those of women working in maritime jobs on shore, with the aim of contributing to safer and more respectful workplaces.

“Not for myself alone”

Compton admitted that the journey was not easy. Living in a foreign country, adjusting to a new climate and culture, keeping up with an intensive programme and being away from family all took their toll.

“There were moments when the journey felt overwhelming, but I remained determined to see it through,” she said. “I reminded myself that I was not pursuing this opportunity for myself alone; I was also carrying the hopes and aspirations of my family, my country, and the Caribbean maritime community.”

She said the opportunity would not have been possible without the Government. She thanked the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, her family, colleagues, mentors and lecturers, as well as the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.

She also had a message for young Vincentians, particularly young women considering careers in fields traditionally dominated by men.

“I hope my journey encourages other young Vincentians, especially young women, to believe in their abilities, pursue opportunities beyond their comfort zones, and recognise that where you come from should never determine how far you can go,” she said.

END