Egypt’s first female underwater welding engineer pursues her dream underwater

Basant bastawi, 26, Egypt’s first female underwater welding engineer, swiped her mobile phone to show a group photo of her with a dozen Chinese engineers and workers on the shore of the red sea city of hurghada. In the photo, everyone gives a thumbs up and smiles. “They were my ‘students’ and we respected each other and developed a deep friendship.” Bastaway’s voice was soft, and a shy smile spread across his clean face. As the only woman in the picture, which she took after training Chinese workers in underwater welding in a sino-egyptian joint project, she seems to have grown accustomed to being in such a gender-skewed environment. Underwater welding is an indispensable and important technological means in the installation, maintenance and construction of underwater structures. It is often used in the construction process of Marine engineering and large underwater facilities, such as Marine rescue, Marine energy and Marine mining. A metal graduate from the university of suez, Mr. Bustavy had dreamed of working as an underwater welder since he was a student. Unlike most Egyptian women, who prefer to take a job that allows them to take care of their families, bathaway chose to break the “taboo” that only men are suitable for underwater welding. Underwater welding requires high professional quality. Engineers engaged in underwater welding work must first obtain a commercial diving license. For this reason, bastaway participated in a variety of diving professional courses, and has been to the United Kingdom, France, the relevant institutions to receive professional training. After hard work and training, bastaway has become one of the five women in the Arab world with commercial diving qualification, the first female underwater welding engineer in Egypt and the only woman in the Middle East who is engaged in underwater welding and can provide relevant course guidance. “It was a tough process. Although I knew it was one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, I was fascinated by the idea of assembling and welding mechanical parts underwater. “The shy bustav said firmly. In an underwater video segment, the reporter saw bastaway, dressed in a diving suit, carrying oxygen equipment and carrying electric welding tools. She was skilled and cautious. Mr Bustav told reporters that the seemingly lucrative and promising career was fraught with dangers and trials. Due to the complex underwater environment, underwater welding engineers often need to work continuously in poor visibility. In the long hours of deep diving and manual work, engineers need to be alert to the risks of hypothermia and drowning, as well as the decompression sickness caused by long-term work. Adding to the pressure, most Egyptian welding companies like to recruit male technicians, even if they don’t have the licenses and expertise that bastawi does. Bustav was determined not to give up. Now, while working in recreational diving, she continues to look for work with underwater welding companies in Egypt and build her own network of underwater welding businesses. “It’s good that my family has been supportive, although I can see their concerns when I go out to work.” She said. Bathaway has trained more than 200 men in commercial diving and underwater welding, as well as technicians from China, Russia and Germany. “With patience, quality and determination, I’m sure I can be one of the best underwater welding engineers in the Middle East.” “Said bastaway confidently and expectantly.铜焊丝,Copper Welding Rods,铝焊丝,aluminium welding wire,镍焊条,Nickel electrode,药皮焊条,Flux Coated Brazing Welding Rods