Recent Stories
2021 Women in Maritime Leadership Conference
March 4-5, 2021, attend Cal Maritime's Women in Maritime Leadership Conference virtually! Now in its tenth year, California Maritime Academy's Women in Maritime Leadership Conference supports the success of women in maritime. The 2021 virtual conference will deliver a...
The Secret to Successful Mentoring in Maritime: Insights from 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 working in maritime, both onshore and offshore. This program is open to...
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...
How to Combat the Bystander Effect in the Maritime Industry
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...
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...
Featured Sea Stories
CHIEF ENGINEER NELLIE TORMALA SHARES HER STORY, EPISODE 164
In today's episode, Christine speaks with Nellie Tormala as she shares her story of how she found her authentic self. Nellie shares how she first came to the sea to isolate and run from her true identity as a woman. She shares about her transgender journey and how it...
SCI – PHIL AND CHRISTINE DISCUSS RESILIENCE, EPISODE 163
In today's episode, Christine speaks with Philip C. Schifflin and Christine Brunson from the Seamen's Church Institute about what they do and resilience. They discuss how they help during devastating times and when mariners need support. They highlight that resilience...
QUESTIONS WE ARE TOO AFRAID TO ASK OFFSHORE WITH MAX AND CHRISTINE, EPISODE 162
We asked YOU what questions you are too embarrassed or afraid to ask offshore. In today's episode, our Director of Career Support Programs, Christine MacMillan, and Women Offshore Ambassador Max Kantor review our questions and share their answers and experiences. They...
REBECCA AND HEATHER – THE CALL OF THE SEA, EPISODE 157
In today's episode, Christine talks with Rebbeca Johnson and Heather Richard, shares their passion and experience of sailing and how they got to be where they are today. They share about working with the Call of the Sea, which is an educational non-profit that...
ALLY AND CHRISTINE: COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO LEVEL UP IN THE WORKPLACE, EPISODE 154
In today's episode, Ally and Christine discuss communication skills and how to use them to level up the workplace. They give great advice on how to listen well, receive feedback, and have successful conversations. Â These are excellent reminders of how to handle your...
SHEILA LAFLEUR – PRESIDENT / EXECUTIVE RECRUITER ON THE JOB MARKET, EPISODE 150
In today’s episode, Ally Cedeno speaks with the President and Executive Recruiter at Trackline Search Partners, Sheila LaFleur. As an Unlimited Master Mariner with extensive maritime and transportation recruitment expertise, Sheila has keen insight into full desk...
Navigate Your Career
American Maritime Unions: Who Says it’s a Man’s World?
There are three maritime officer unions in the American maritime industry; American Maritime Officers (AMO), Marine Engineers Benevolent Association (MEBA), and Master Mates and Pilots (MM&P). Of these three unions, only MEBA has a woman currently in office. Unlimited...
Navigating Pregnancy While Working Offshore: What Women Need to Know
A list of considerations before becoming pregnant offshore or in the maritime industry. First of all, I didn't ask my company ANY questions until I was pregnant. If I had to do it all again, I would have gathered information from my company before starting a family...
Save the Dates! Women Offshore Conference, November 5 & 12, 2021!
Save the dates! Join us Live Online November 5th and 12th! Our 4th-annual conference to be held virtually November 5th and 12th. Join us LIVE online for this virtual event! For the past 4 years, we have united women from around the globe to support one another in...
Anonymous Email Service for Emotional Support at Safer Waves
Sexual assault, sexual harassment or gender discrimination can be difficult to navigate. Saver Waves was set up in 2019 to provide support to merchant seafarers who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment or gender discrimination on board. These experiences...
Raising Daughters to Pursue Maritime Careers: Empowering the Next Generation
Perspective from a Mother Growing up on the water, I had quite the nautical skill set for a young lady. Anything a boy could do, so could I. But one day my cousin and I were on our great uncle’s powerboat, and that perspective changed. Our great uncle invited my...
Save the Date: Maritime Career Day 2021
SAVE THE DATE FOR WOMEN OFFSHORE'S MARITIME CAREER DAY, MAY 21ST, 2021! The Women Offshore Foundation will host a virtual career day, Friday, May 21st, 2021. Attend panel discussions and exhibitor booths. Network with companies, hear from recruiting experts, and learn...
Podcast
PROS AND CONS OF MARITIME UNIONS WITH MIRIAM AND CHRISTINE, EPISODE 204
Join Miriam Anthony and Christine MacMillan they dive into a comprehensive discussion about maritime unions, exploring the pros and cons of joining a union versus sailing non-union. They share insights into how unions have evolved over time and the significant impact...
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...
CHELSEA PATTERSON’S IMPACT ON MOTHERHOOD IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY, EPISODE 202
In this episode of Women Offshore, join Chelsea Patterson, a maritime professional who advocates for mothers working at sea. Chelsea graduated from Kings Point in 2014 and has since navigated her career through roles with a private tanker company before transitioning...
SETTING SAIL WITH EMMA GARSCHAGEN: A MASTER MARINER’S STORY, EPISODE 201
Join us as we set sail with Emma Garschagen, the inspiring founder of Sail Seabird, which offers transformative sail training voyages across Maine and Cape Cod. With over 25,000 ocean miles under her belt, Emma's maritime journey is nothing short of extraordinary. She...
WOULD YOU LET YOUR DAUGHTER JOIN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY? EPISODE 200
We're thrilled to mark our 200th episode milestone at Women Offshore with a special discussion you won't want to miss! Join our Women Offshore team, Ally Cedeno, Cassi Laskowski, and Christine MacMillan, as they dive deep into a question that sparks curiosity and...
EVA VELDKAMP AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY, EPISODE 199
Join us on today's Women Offshore podcast as we sit down with Eva Veldkamp, a seasoned maritime professional who has navigated diverse roles across the industry. Eva's career journey began aboard large container ships as a dual-licensed maritime officer, leading her...
WOMEN OFFSHORE MENTORSHIP!
Offshore Lifestyle
How Geologist Greg Noah Is Helping Reduce the Gender Gap Offshore
With the ever-unintended - almost severe - sternness in his gaze, Greg, ever so stoically, turned to me and announced, "Lauren, you're staying as a senior hand."Â His eyes began to twinkle and, as they softened, his face thawed into a collection of charmingly gleeful...
Two Women Found Offshore Fitness Company
Women Offshore introduces Aweigh-Fitness; a premier health and wellness provider for the maritime and offshore energy industries.Aweigh-Fitness was founded by two women who work offshore on ultra-deepwater drillships, Brigitte Hagen-Peter and Patricia Malagrino. From...
Shining a Light on Offshore Life: Insights from Amanda Barlow
Women Offshore connected with Author and Wellsite Geologlist, Amanda Barlow, to discuss her latest book: An Inconvenient Life. Australian-born, Amanda Barlow, worked as a geologist onshore for 16 years before taking her career offshore to become a wellsite geologist...
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in the Maritime Industry
Don’t Despair! Imposter syndrome offshore, have you ever felt that? “Apart from serial narcissists, super low achievers, and outright crazies, no one is immune to the self-doubt that feeds the Impostor Syndrome.” Well, thank goodness that Forbes’ Contributor,...
A Call to Action: How to Advocate for Women in the Maritime Industry
If you've been around our site, you probably recognize this statistic: women make up less than 4% of the offshore workforce. Women Offshore is here to change that and advocating for women offshore As a team of contributors, with a combined total of 65 years working on...
Why Diversity in Maritime Matters: Benefits of an Inclusive Industry
We all probably know at least one person who becomes irate at the idea of companies making an active effort to diversify. This is due to the idea that diversification has a tendency to be demonized as a threat to job security or personal progress to those in the...
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