Recent Stories
2023 Women Offshore Wave Maker Award
NOMINATE FOR THE WAVE MAKER AWARD NOW! Join us in celebrating exceptional women on the water! The Women Offshore Foundation is thrilled to announce the Wave Maker Award at our 6th annual Women Offshore Conference. This accolade shines a light on a member who has...
MEET LORI STEPHENS, PART 3
Seafarers have a long reputation as resilient people who can withstand anything nature throws their way. While this may be true, they are also normal people who live in a very abnormal environment for many months at a time. They suffer from loneliness, fatigue, and...
What I learned from the 2022 Women Offshore Conference
I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s conference and came away, first and foremost, with the overwhelming impression that those who attended are remarkably dedicated workers and strong representatives of their respective communities. They are true assets to the industry...
Meet Mentor Tuuli Messer-Bookman
Meet Tuuli Messer-Bookman, who believes you make your life happen. “You craft and create the life you want by your choices and decisions at life's buffet.” Tuuli is originally from Sausalito, CA, where she grew up on a wooden sailboat. She lived aboard boats in...
Norway’s First Female Pilot
She just finished school in Norway and was “a 19-year-old rebel,” admits Captain Breivik about her younger self. She didn’t know what to do next, but Solgunn Hamme Breivik certainly never expected to make history. The unemployment office woman took note of this...
Report Sexual Harassment
Women Offshore wanted to know what the USCG’s stance is on reporting sexual harassment. We asked and this is what we found out. In the past, the majority of sexual harassment incidents were investigated by company representatives and handled internally without a...
Featured Sea Stories
UNVEILING THE DEPTHS: LARKIN BOHN’S PASSION FOR THE JOIDES RESOLUTION, EPISODE 203
Her dedication led her to create YouTube shorts about women offshore and scientific research, turning her hobby into a career. In February 2024, she joined the JOIDES Resolution Research Vessel as a Science Outreach Officer, connecting science with the public. In this...
HEATHER ENNESS: NAVIGATING OFFSHORE LIFE AS A MOM AND INSPIRING FUTURE MARINERS, EPISODE 196
On today's podcast, we have the UK Women Offshore Ambassador Heather Ennesss on the show. Heather shares with Christine about her journey working offshore and her journey at home while raising kids.Heather is also a proud member of the UK Careers at Sea Ambassadors...
SAL MERCOGLIANO ON THE RED SEA UPDATES, EPISODE 195
Christine has Dr. Sal Mercogliano on the podcast today. Sal is Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice, and Political Science at Campbell University. He is also an adjunct professor at the US Merchant Marine Academy and a former merchant mariner. He hosts...
AGAINST THE CURRENT: A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE IN THE MARITIME WORLD WITH KITARA SMOLINSKI, EPISODE 193
Today on the podcast, we bring you an unforgettable speech delivered by Kitara at the Women Offshore Benefit Gala. Join us as we dive into Kitara's remarkable journey—a tale of resilience, perseverance, and the unwavering spirit...
VINEETA DHILLON SPEAKS ABOUT THE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, EPISODE 192
Join us on today's podcast as Christine MacMillan engages in a heartfelt conversation with Vineeta Dhillon, a remarkable woman whose journey from India to the USA in 1986 is a testament to resilience and determination. Currently calling California home, Vineeta has...
CASSIDY PATTON AND THE ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, EPISODE 191
On today's episode, Christine gets to speak with Cassidy Patton from Ketchikan, Alaska, who grew up in a fishing community that inspired her to seek out a career at sea. She shares all about the Alaska Marine Highway System, along with diving into her interesting...

Podcast
Anchored in Advocacy: How Capt. Kelly Gordon is Making Mental Health Matter, Episode 229
In this episode, titled "Anchored in Advocacy: How Capt. Kelly Gordon is Making Mental Health Matter," we delve into the inspiring journey of Captain Kelly J. Gordon. Growing up on a farm in small-town Indiana, Kelly's thirst for adventure led her from academia, where...
From classroom to crew: Samantha McCririck’s journey to yachting & yoga, Episode 228
On this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, we welcome Samantha McCririck, Chief Stewardess, aboard the charter yacht Unbridled. Originally from Newcastle, Australia, Samantha grew up with a deep connection to the ocean, spending her childhood surfing, snorkeling,...
Maisa Ziegler and Her Maritime Mindset, Episode 227
In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast Christine caught up with Maisa Ziegler, founder of Maritime Mindset. Maisa, a Licensed Therapist (LCSW) has 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, working on various vessels including tug boats, research vessels,...
Coronado Hickman’s Journey at the Women Offshore Benefit Gala, Episode 226
In this episode, we highlight Coronado Hickman’s remarkable journey from working offshore to building a fulfilling shoreside career. Speaking at the Women Offshore Benefit Gala, Coronado shared her experience navigating pregnancy while working offshore during...
How Rachel Pagonis Found Her Calling from a Cruise at 14 Years Old, Episode 225
We’re back and more excited than ever to bring you fresh stories, honest conversations, and inspiring voices from the maritime industry! Kicking off this season, Christine MacMillian sits down with our first guest for the season, Rachel Pagonis, a Safety Officer...
Women Offshore Podcast Special Send Off, Episode 224
Join Christine for a special send-off episode as we take a temporary pause on the Women Offshore podcast. We’re taking this break to reflect, regroup, and explore new ideas to bring you even more engaging content in the future. We will be working for a few months in...
Offshore Lifestyle
Yoga on the Helideck
In the summer of 2020 I was kindly asked to do a double trip as Kazakhstan closed the borders. It was quite new for all of us, and everyone was affected in different ways. My best way to cope with stress is yoga. I have been practicing yoga since I was at university...
How to Stay Energized While Working Offshore: Tips for Women at Sea
As your hitch offshore goes on your energy level slowly depletes. The shifts, the demands of your job, the socializing aspects, and the lack of days off duty, they all take their toll on your sleep. It’s hard to stay focused and energized. Thankfully, there are ways...
Deepwater Dames: For the Love of 2nd Base
The 3-day, 60-mile, Susan G. Komen walk is grueling. Two crews competed to complete the walk first. From building gingerbread houses with the crew to epic custom birthday cakes, Aramark Camp Boss Michelle Yelovina always brings something special to the ships she...
How to Improve Sleep Offshore: Techniques for Women Working at Sea
How to fall asleep and stay asleep - a yogic hack. When you’re offshore, your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep is dramatically impacted. Let me share some sleep tips for offshore workers. The 12 hour shifts, the night shifts, the changes of shifts half-way...
Boosting Self-Confidence for Women in the Maritime Industry
Let’s talk about self-confidence for women offshore to achieve your goals. Think of your life as the vessel, and you have “the conn,” meaning you are in control of your vessel. What you’re not in control of are the adverse effects on the vessel; winds, currents,...
Overcoming Assault: Lessons in Forgiveness and Strength for Women Offshore
Early in my career at sea, I joined an old feeder vessel in Jordan. I was on one of the smallest and oldest vessels in my company’s fleet. Due to its size, it traded in the Red Sea only between Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. I was a bit nervous before joining because...
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