From Deck Cadet Inspiration to ROV Pilot: The Evolving Journey of Nicole Marcer

Nicole Marcer’s path into offshore operations began with a single conversation in 2012. She met a woman working as a deck cadet, and for the first time, she saw someone who looked like her in a world she had never imagined herself entering. That moment planted a seed that would eventually grow into a decade-long career at sea spanning deck work, dynamic positioning, autonomous systems, submersibles, and now ROV operations.

Nicole initially pursued the deck route, believing engineering might not be accessible to her at the time. Over the years, though, it became clear that her true calling lived below the surface. Her interest in offshore technical work grew steadily through exposure to AUVs, submersibles, and hands-on operational environments. A sideways move into submersible piloting reignited her passion entirely. The role took her to Antarctica for the first time, where she spent season after season piloting the U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7 MkII 300 in some of the most breathtaking and unforgiving waters on the planet. The experience pushed her closer to her long-term goal: transitioning fully into technical, hands-on offshore operations.

Working across sectors and vessel types has shaped Nicole’s understanding of how offshore operations fit together. From saturation diving support to construction and flex-lay vessels, to acting as HLO during helicopter operations, she has seen how each piece of an offshore project relies on the next. “Versatility,” she says, “has been one of my greatest teachers.”

Her Chief Mate Unlimited and Unlimited DPO licences give her an appreciation for operations from the bridge down to the seabed. While she isn’t in a formal leadership position yet, her broad experience has given her a strong foundation in communication, situational awareness, and understanding how differing vessel teams and personalities work together. Leadership, she says, is something she sees on the horizon, but she is intentional about taking it step by step. For now, mastering her technical craft remains her focus.

Training as an ROV Pilot Technician with Subsea7 has been one of the most rewarding transitions of her career. Offshore, a typical work cycle begins with handover: reviewing job progress, recent challenges, maintenance completed, and any tooling adjustments required. From there, her day rotates through time in the pilot chair, time on manipulators, and time maintaining or floating the system. Subsea, her responsibilities vary. She may be spotting the crane hook, landing assets on the seabed, surveying the area or structures, or operating ROV tooling for valves, cutting, cleaning, or dredging. “Piloting them is especially fun,” she says. “Seeing the work come together underwater is something special.”

Her experience in remote and autonomous vessel operations broadened her perspective even further. During a DNV demonstration in Southampton, Nicole worked as Remote Support Navigator, helping test the capabilities and limitations of remote operations technology. It reinforced the importance of seafarer insight in shaping future systems. Situational awareness, she notes, is something that cannot easily be replicated with cameras and screens.

Antarctica remains one of the places that shaped her the most. Its beauty comes with serious risk, and the environment taught her respect, preparation, and clarity. Every dive required layers of planning, contingency thinking, and constant communication between the sub, the dive team, and the ship. “Conditions can change in minutes,” she says. “Adaptability is everything.”

Today, Nicole is building her technical niche intentionally. She is studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering through distance learning while also building on computing and IT skills that proved unexpectedly relevant to AUV and ROV systems. As the future of offshore work moves toward greater digitalization and automation, she is positioning herself at the intersection of operations and engineering.

Nicole is also a passionate advocate for women in the industry. Her career began because one woman took the time to talk to her, and she never forgot the impact of that moment. As a Women Offshore Ambassador and STEMAZING mentor, she uses her experience to support others who may feel unsure, unseen, or out of place in technical spaces.

“Representation matters,” she says. “Even when I’m still learning or transitioning roles, I still have something to offer. Sometimes the message is simply: I’m still on my journey, but I can help you start yours.”

Looking ahead, Nicole sees a future where her technical confidence and operational awareness continue to deepen. Her long-term goals include developing strong offshore construction knowledge, becoming highly competent in fault finding and maintenance, and stepping into leadership when the time is right. More than anything, she wants to reach the point where she can mentor others with confidence and pride.

“What drives me,” she says, “is knowing how far I’ve come from that first conversation in 2012, and wanting to keep building on the journey I’ve already started.”