Recent Stories
Women Offshore Celebrates a Powerful 8th Annual Conference
Honoring Leaders, Emerging Voices, and a Community Anchored in Purpose Houston, TX — October 10, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The 8th Annual Women Offshore Conference brought together maritime professionals, students, and industry allies for two days of connection,...
From Shipboard HR to Industry Changemaker: How Keely Gavin is Redefining Leadership at Sea
When Keely Gavin first began her career in human resources on land, she couldn’t have imagined the course it would take. Her work was fueled by a passion for people and culture, but something in her path felt incomplete. Then, as if the tide was pulling her toward it,...
From Refineries to Riverways: How Erika Shanley is Charting a Course to Pilotage
When Erika Shanley earned her Unlimited Radar Endorsement earlier this summer, she celebrated more than a certification. It was proof of years of grit, balancing 28-day hitches, studying late into the night, and showing her three kids what resilience really looks...
The Bucket List Crew: Why More Mariners Are Choosing Purpose Over Partying
The Bucket List Crew: Why More Mariners Are Choosing Purpose Over Partying In today’s maritime industry, a new kind of crew is capturing attention—the Bucket List Crew. This viral trend among yacht and offshore crew members is about choosing life experiences over...
Spotlight on Klaudia: Bridging Offshore Energy, Security, and Diplomacy
Women Offshore is proud to highlight Klaudia Maciata, our Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Ambassador, whose career spans offshore operations, renewable energy, and international security. Her work at the intersection of these fields reflects both the evolving nature...
Navigating the Welfare Waters: ISWAN’s 2024 Annual Review for Yacht Crew
The International Seafarers’ Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN) has released its Welfare of Yacht Crew 2024 Annual Review, revealing new insights into the challenges faced by yacht crew and the industry’s responsibility to drive change (iswan.org.uk). Key...
Featured Sea Stories
Ambassador Spotlight: Dr. Clara Dede Elma Tetteh-Yeboah — A Pioneering Offshore Medic Championing Health and Leadership
In the challenging, high-stakes environment of offshore energy, healthcare providers like Dr. Clara Dede Elma Tetteh-Yeboah play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of personnel on board. As an offshore medic with OceanLift Subsea, Dr. Tetteh-Yeboah...
The How-To of Healing: Maritime Mental Health with Pam Kern, LCSW
At Women Offshore, we’re committed to highlighting conversations that support the health, safety, and success of women in the maritime industry. In our latest podcast episode, The How-To of Healing, we welcome Pam Kern, MS, LCSW—an expert whose career bridges the gap...
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...
Ghost Ship on Fire: Ally Cedeno and April Killian Share a Haunting Tale of Northumberland Strait, Episode 222
Join Ally and special guest April Killian, US Coast Guard Reserve Officer and Licensed Deck Officer – Unlimited Tonnage, as they kick off the holiday season with a thrilling ghost story! In this episode, April recounts the chilling tale of the Ghost Ship of...
Rowing for Science: Salty Science’s Epic Atlantic Victory, Episode 214
In this thrilling episode of the Women Offshore podcast, we interview the Salty Science team, the World's Toughest Row winners. We highlight the extraordinary achievements of the Salty Science team, consisting of Noelle Helder, Lauren Chantale Bégin, Isabelle Côté,...
Navigate Your Career
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...
NAVIGATING WAVES: RENA NAVARRO’S JOURNEY FROM EDUCATOR TO CAPTAIN, EPISODE 190
Set sail with us on another captivating journey in the Women Offshore community! Today, we're thrilled to introduce Rena Navarro, a mariner whose passion for the sea knows no bounds. Join us as Rena, a USCG Certified Instructor, Captain, and Old Boat Enthusiast, takes...
CONFRONTING SKEPTICISM AT WOMEN OFFSHORE, EPISODE 189
Dive into an inspiring tale of resilience and determination with today's episode of the Women Offshore podcast! President Ally Cedeno takes us behind the scenes, revealing the untold challenges she encountered while laying the foundation of this remarkable...
HAPPY NEW YEAR! DIVE INTO 2024 WITH ALLY AND CHRISTINE, EPISODE 184
Gain insights into the exciting initiatives Women Offshore has in store for the 2024 Career Development Program with our latest podcast episode featuring Christine and Ally! Dive into the future of career development for women in the maritime industry as they unveil a...
BOUND BY EXPERIENCE PANEL FROM THE 2023 WOMEN OFFSHORE PODCAST, EPISODE 178
In today's podcast, we have a special treat for you. We want to share with you an inspiring panel that was from our 2023 Women Offshore Conference this year. Bound by Experience: Navigating Careers Through Lifelong Connection with Admiral Mark Buzby and Maddie...
Podcast
Fraser Flight and the Global Solo Challenge
Fraser Flight, a Zimbabwean-born Sailor, is on his way to become the first person from this small landlocked country to sail around the world, alone, with no outside assistance and without stopping. With 11 years in the professional maritime industry and a lifetime of...
Steady Success of Christalove Agyin-Ayetse
What looks like steady successes compounding over time can feel like a long, slow climb during the process. Christalove Agyin-Ayetse is a proud Ghanaian from the Fante tribe who helped fulfill her father's dream of becoming a merchant mariner. During this interview,...
Episode 235: Catching Up With Miriam Anthony
Miriam "Mimi" Anthony is no stranger to the Women Offshore Podcast. She joins Christine behind the mic for a chat about the latest initiatives around the globe focused on the mental health and wellbeing of mariners. After witnessing the need in the industry, she...
The How-To of Healing: Maritime Mental Health with Pam Kern, LCSW
At Women Offshore, we’re committed to highlighting conversations that support the health, safety, and success of women in the maritime industry. In our latest podcast episode, The How-To of Healing, we welcome Pam Kern, MS, LCSW—an expert whose career bridges the gap...
What would you do? Episode 233
In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, we share the anonymous story of a mariner who navigated a series of deeply uncomfortable and inappropriate interactions while on hitch. This story does not involve physical violence, but it does involve emotional...
Keep It or Change It? The Personal and Professional Stakes of a Woman’s Last Name, Episode 232
In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, hosts Ally Tenorio and Laura McFalls delve into the multifaceted decision women face regarding changing their last names after marriage. This conversation is not just about personal choices but also encompasses...
WOMEN OFFSHORE MENTORSHIP!
Offshore Lifestyle
Walking for a Cure While Offshore
I work on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico as a camp boss. That sentence usually entices looks full of “Are you kidding me?” This conversation happens mostly when I am in Michigan where I was born and raised (and still live when my hitches are done). Up there, not a...
How You Can Empower Women at Sea
Ways to Empower Women Working at Sea: A Guide for Allies Empower women by maintaining an inclusive environment on your vessel. Today, countries and organizations around the world celebrate World Maritime Day. Under the theme, "Empowering Women in the Maritime...
What to Expect During Your First Time Working Offshore
Are you heading offshore soon for the first time? Below, learn what to expect when you depart for your vessel! Over the course of my offshore career, I have bounced around to almost ten different offshore drilling rigs. Each one became home for a period of time in my...
Redefining Safety Offshore: Ensuring Women’s Wellbeing at Sea
Safety, the s-word; it is everywhere in our industry. Just add the s-word and things will be good to go, right? Wrong. This methodology, using “safety” everywhere without understanding what it truly means for keeping people safe is dangerous, in itself. I want to...
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...
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