From Engine Cadet to Chief Engineer and now Technical Superintendent in Dubai, Illia Bai has built a successful maritime career since joining Danica in Odesa in 2013. We spoke with him about his journey.
What first made you want to work at sea?
I grew up in Odesa, a city with a strong maritime tradition, and always felt drawn to the sea. Nobody in my family worked in shipping, but I had a dream of having a “sea view”. I couldn’t afford an apartment by the coast, so I thought: why not live on a ship?
After graduating from Odesa National Maritime Academy, I wasn’t quite sure what to do next. Then my father told me: “Go to the sea, there is no troubles.” He wasn’t completely right about that, but fathers are always right in their own way!
How did you find your first job through Danica?
I started visiting crewing companies all over Odesa, working my way further from home. Eventually, I made it to Danica and, after completing the paperwork and tests, I was offered an interview with a superintendent.
After the interview, he took me to another office and said: “Alright, colleagues, grab him for one of our ladies!” I thought I would just be registered in the system and sent home but instead I was offered five vessels to choose from. People still find that hard to believe when I tell the story!
What helped you grow from Cadet to Chief Engineer?
From my first day onboard I felt I was where I belonged. I was lucky to work on vessels with plenty of technical challenges which gave me valuable experience from the beginning. Working with multinational crews also taught me how important communication and adaptability are.
Over the years I worked my way up through the ranks, becoming Chief Engineer in 2024. One lesson has stayed with me throughout my career: never leave for tomorrow what you can do today. At sea even a small problem can become a serious one if you ignore it.
Why did you decide to move ashore?
Once I felt confident managing things onboard, I became curious about how everything worked from the shore side. For me ship management is the next step — a chance not just to work within a system but to help improve it.
On 1 September 2026 I moved to Dubai to join the same shipowner as a Technical Superintendent. It’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward to seeing the industry from a different perspective.
What advice would you give to young seafarers?
Make sure you’re ready for the lifestyle. You will miss important moments at home and life onboard brings its own challenges, but it also gives you the chance to build a rewarding career while spending time with your family between contracts.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be: “Don’t rush. Enjoy the journey and learn from everyone around you.” Looking back I realise that every challenge, colleague and mistake helped me become the engineer and leader I am today.