26.5.2025 | Ports

Harwich Haven Authority’s first all-female launch crew are urging more women to take on a career in maritime.

Flexible Coxswain Lucy McCain and Marine Apprentice Jorden Gleave help keep trade moving through the Haven ports of Felixstowe, Mistley and Harwich, by ensuring Marine Pilots can safely board and disembark some of the world’s largest, deepest and greenest container vessels.

To mark International Day for Women in Maritime, held earlier in the month on Sunday, May 18, Lucy and Jorden have spoken out to encourage more women to join the sector.

Jorden said: “I started in February last year, so I have been a marine apprentice for just over a year now.

“My job is very diverse – no one day is ever the same. One day, I could be out on the pilot boats launching and landing, or boarding pilots onto big container ships that are coming into the port. The next day, I could be in the yard – so there’s a diverse range of tasks we get to do.”

“International Day for Women in Maritime provided a chance for women to come together in the organisation and celebrate how far we’ve come in this industry, to celebrate the successes and hope that things progress and growth continues. Once you are in the industry, you realise how big it actually is and how many job roles there are out there for us.”

Latest figures revealed nationally, just 16% of UK seafarers are women. According to Maritime UK, despite the transport sector contributing £214 billion to the UK economy in 2020, only 21% of those working within it identify as female.

Within the maritime industry, the exact representation of women remains largely unknown, highlighting the challenges faced in attracting, recruiting, and retaining diverse talent.

However, Harwich Haven Authority (HHA), one of the UK’s major trust ports, is bucking the trend, with women filling roles across the organisation at all levels – including a female Chair of the Board, a female CEO and several female pilots.

CEO Sarah West said: “Maritime is an extraordinary industry – on the water and beyond. I’ve been fortunate to build a fascinating career within it, and I would love for more women to see the possibilities this sector holds and to feel empowered to pursue them.

“At Harwich Haven Authority, we’re proud to be challenging industry norms. We have women working across all levels and all our operations, which is a clear sign that change is possible when the right opportunities are offered.

“But we know there’s more to do, and we remain committed to breaking down any barriers that may still exist. We’re focused on making the Haven the best place to trade and work. By investing in our people, we’re helping shape a more inclusive, skilled and vibrant talent pool for the sector across both Essex and Suffolk.”

Lucy was initially worried about a career in the sector as she had little maritime experience before starting an apprenticeship two and a half years ago.

“It’s not a barrier to you getting a job in the maritime industry,” she said. “If you can get on an apprenticeship, I highly recommend it because they will teach you everything from the ground up. Although it’s just one day, International Women in Maritime Day highlights to people outside the industry, and within it, there’s a wealth of jobs and opportunities people may not realise are there.”

Jorden and Lucy discuss their roles here.

hha.co.uk