Featured Sea Stories
On a Rising Tide in the US Coast Guard, Karen Kutkiewicz Makes Waves to Antarctica
In 1976, the United States Coast Guard Academy opened its doors to women. Today, we explore the history of women in the US Coast Guard and one woman's journey to break barriers as a cutterman and mom. On July 8, 1975, Congressman Lester Wolff of New York introduced a...
A Woman of Firsts, Subsea Expert Vicki Corso
In her nearly 40 years in the oil and gas industry, subsea expert Vicki Corso shares how she navigated her career, achieving quite a few firsts as a woman in engineering. It is March 2004 on board the Marco Polo, a tension leg platform, and construction is underway....
A Mate’s First Watch
Each year, mates and engineers graduate from maritime academies, and with new licenses in hand, they join vessels to transit the world. Today, Karin Björk shares what it was like navigating a vessel for the first time as a new officer. Six years ago, Karin Björk from...
Deckhand Ger Tysk Sailing Tall On The Schooner Brilliant
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas...” ― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick or, The Whale In 2014, Ger Tysk of Houston. Texas, was recently out of the US Air Force and ready to take on a new career. An avid...
Completion Engineer Aisha Anastasia
From offshore as a completion engineer on an oil well to onshore as a consultant in energy business development, Aisha Anastasia thrives in the oil and gas industry. On board an offshore drilling rig, a well is drilled with the cement and casing in place. Next, a...
Process Operator Dorthe Holmkvist
From an offshore platform in the North Atlantic, Dorthe Holmkvist, a native of Nørresundby, Denmark, shares an important lesson learned. Twenty-four years ago in Nørresundby, Denmark, a local paper advertised opportunities for engineers to work offshore. Dorthe...
Navigate Your Career
The ‘Secret’ to Mentoring with Captain Jessie Shifalo
To reduce the gender gap, Women Offshore connects women seeking mentoring with experienced seafarers. Our mentor program, the Women Offshore MentorSHIP, virtually connects both mentors and mentees. This program is open to women anywhere in the world who have...
Combating the Bystander Effect Together
On the second day of the Women Offshore Conference, a two-part workshop brought together attendees to talk about an overarching concept in the industry that does not affect just women, but all mariners; bystander intervention. Throughout the sessions, hosted by Ally...
What I Learned on Day 2, Women Offshore Conference
Day 2 started much like the first day. Pen, pad, ready, set, go! On October 9th, it was the second day of the Women Offshore Conference. Just like the first day, I was ready to extend my network virtually, learn from the speakers, and engage in a workshop. I took...
Congrats Captain Makhosi Mbokazi, 2020 Wave Maker Award Winner
Congrats to the 2020 Women Offshore Wave Maker Award Winner, Captain Makhosi Mbokazi from South Africa! On Friday at the 3rd annual Women Offshore Conference, the 2020 Wave Maker Award was presented virtually to acknowledge someone for pursuing their career dreams,...
What I learned on Day 1, Women Offshore Conference
This is what I learned on the first day of the Women Offshore Virtual Conference. On October 2nd, I attended day one of the Women Offshore Conference. I had a notebook and pen ready to take notes as I waited for the conference to start on Zoom. I couldn’t wait to hear...
Self Advocacy 101 Workshop, Women Offshore Virtual Conference
Join Women Offshore, October 2nd and 9th, for a virtual conference! Women Offshore will host a virtual conference in just a few weeks. On October 2nd and 9th, attend keynote speeches and panel discussions. Be inspired by experienced seafarers, learn from HR...
Podcast
Ask for What You Want, Episode 61
When was the last time you asked for something you want in your career? Because of the challenges women face in speaking up, they tend to NOT ask for what they want and/or need in life. This episode is a reminder to ask for what you want and need. Perhaps you have...
Wisdom from a Subsea Engineer & Executive, Episode 60
Today, let's learn from a woman who blazed a trail in subsea engineering. Christina Johansen is the senior vice president of product management at TechnipFMC. She is responsible for subsea product/service lines and marketing strategies globally. Christina is a leader...
We had to prove we could do the job! The USCG SPARS, Episode 59
The US Coast Guard created the Women’s Reserve known as the SPARS, an acronym for, "Semper Paratus Always Ready," in WWII. In WWII, The US Coast Guard utilized the highest percentage of women of any of the services. The SPARS grew to 12,000 women, under the guidance...
Giveaway & More! Episode 58
We are having a giveaway on the podcast! The latest episode of the Women Offshore Podcast is full of exciting news! Have a listen below to learn what is going on at the organization and to enter a giveaway for a Women Offshore t-shirt! Have a Listen & Subscribe...
Motherhood Myths or Facts? Episode 57
There are a lot of opinions, myths and facts about working mothers. If you have been tuning into the Women Offshore Podcast, then you know that Jais Curry, the director of community outreach, has been interviewing mothers with offshore experiences. From family...
Mother Daughter Maritime Duo, Episode 56
Yes! They. Are. Back! Mother-daughter duo Captain Sherri Hickman and Chief Mate Coronado Hickman have been featured before. You probably remember them from their feature navigating an ATB together a few years ago. This time, they're on the podcast, and they have new...
WOMEN OFFSHORE MENTORSHIP!
Offshore Lifestyle
A Day in the Life of a Puget Sound Pilot
Below, read a day in the life of Captain Peter Giese, a Puget Sound Pilot, and get ready for the upcoming Pilot Exam from the Washington State Board of Pilot Commissioners! "It all starts with a call from dispatch with my job assignment details. Let's say I'm...
Training at Sea to Run the World in 7 Days
It's 1600 and I am lacing up my sneakers. I head down to the lower decks where I will spend the next hour or so. No, I am not working overtime, I am going for a run. The other officers have stopped asking, “oh, are you going to run today?” Instead, they stop me...
Call Me “Chief”
One month ago, I was driving home from the airport. I had flown into San Francisco from Seattle and was headed home through Sonoma County to my mom’s house in Napa, where I would get my things together before going to work that night. I was sitting there in the...
Does Industry Humor Attract Business?
The letter 'X' in the old adage, "X marks the spot," has all but washed up, as the trendier letter 'G' has taken its place. That's right, folks! You want to find that gold? G-Spot claims to know exactly where it is and how to help you find it. Several weeks ago, I...
Losing a Loved One While at Sea
If you were in the middle of the ocean, 1000+ miles from land, how would you cope after hearing that a loved one had passed away? A career at sea means we often miss out on life events at home. Annual events, such as birthday parties and holidays, are perhaps not as...
A Healthy Holiday Season
Fitting fitness into your daily routine can be difficult at any time of the year. Add working offshore, or in an office, along with holiday parties, family visits, and travel, and it can feel nearly impossible to hit the gym. Aweigh-Fitness is here to give some tips...
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