Recent Stories
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...
Little Red Boat on the Equator
My career at sea started a few years ago when I was working as a pool deck supervisor on a cruise ship off the coast of Australia. During my time on board, I was inspired by the bridge officers to return to school to study navigation with the goal of one day becoming...
Learning from the Worst Mistake in My Maritime Career
Let's talk about failure. Can you remember a time in your life when you totally, utterly, completely screwed up? I am often asked why I switched from sailing on oil tankers to research vessels. The roundabout answer is that I was unhappy. The simple answer is that I...
Growing Up in a Maritime Family: Lessons and Inspiration
Hello, my name is Coronado. When I introduce my name, I normally hear a multitude of questions, such as, “Wow, that is so unique. Where did it come from?” “What nationality is that?” And, “Okay, but what is your first name?” Typically, most people think that I’m...
Featured Sea Stories
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...
CORINNE BENDERSKY – WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK IN A MALE DOMINATED WORLD, EPISODE 149
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Corinne Bendersky, a Professor and Area Chair of Management and Organizations who specializes in workplace conflict, status, justice, diversity, and inclusion in teams and organizations. Her research contributes not...
CARI SIMON – TITLE IX ATTORNEY, EPISODE 147
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Cari Simon, who is one of the nation’s leading Title IX attorneys representing survivors of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sexual harassment in University and K–12 settings nationwide. She is a...
FAMILY PLANNING AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION WITH DR. BENJAMIN LANNON, EPISODE 143
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Dr. Benjamin Lannon about family planning in the maritime industry and fertility preservation. Dr. Lannon is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He...
IVF JOURNEY WITH KAMI AND ALLY, EPISODE 142
In today’s episode, Ally Cedeno speaks with Kami Bucholz who is a 2008 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and is an Unlimited Master Mariner. She has worked in research, chemical, petroleum, Ro/Ro, towing, and aerospace vessels in her career. She sits on...
Jenny Johnson – Maritime Inclusion Partners, Episode 139
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Jenny Johnson, who is a certified HR professional with an extensive background in DEI unique to the maritime industry. Jenny has 20+ years of maritime experience, including at sea and ashore. She fiercely advocates...

Podcast
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...
THE ONLY WOMAN ON DECK: HEAR CASSIE MEAD’S BOLD ADVENTURES AT SEA, EPISODE 198
Join us on this inspiring episode of Women Offshore as we sit down with Women Offshore Ambassador Cassie Mead, a maritime professional who has made a remarkable journey from a small rural community in New Zealand to a successful career at sea. Cassie discovered her...
FROM SEA CAPTAIN TO INNOVATOR: THE STORY OF CAPTAIN AYSE ASLI BASAK, EPISODE 197
On today's podcast, we have the Turkey Women Offshore Ambassador, Captain Ayse Asli Basak, on the show. Ayse shares with Christine about her journey working offshore and now what her current ashore career life looks like. Ayse Asli Basak is a seasoned maritime...
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...
Offshore Lifestyle
Setting Boundaries Offshore: How Women Can Maintain Work-Life Balance
“The word boundaries is scary,” mused the executive consultant sitting next to me. “Perhaps there’s a less emotional word you can use.” We were chatting about how best to frame the workshop that I had developed for women in masculine professional environments. Sitting...
Challenges Faced by Women in the Maritime Industry: Overcoming Obstacles
This article was published in BP's July 2016 issue of Horizon Magazine. I’ve been with BP since 2002. Since then, I’ve held field-based roles in Colorado, New Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico and Angola, and spent extensive time in the field in West Texas, Republic of...
Step Up and Stand In – How to Advocate for Your Development
Sometimes moving your development forward can be a bit like jumping on a moving sidewalk or a ski lift. You have to line yourself up and pick up the pace before you can jump on board, and for many of us, those moments can be a bit jarring. We’ve all heard that our...
From Disney to Drillships: What I learned about Public Speaking
If you are 0.001% of the human population, you absolutely love public speaking. For the rest of us humans, we tolerate it ONLY if necessary. 'Use what you've got.' But for those of us who want to go places and for those who are ready and willing to stand out, we must...
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