New student-led society empowers women at leading maritime school

On Sunday 18 May, International Day for Women in Maritime shines a spotlight on the ways women contribute to the maritime industry, while advocating for enhanced accessibility when it comes to opportunities for women at sea. As well as creating pathways for women to enter the industry, it's essential that they have support once they're in it. That's where initiatives like Warsash Women's Group come in.

Warsash Women's Group has been set-up to empower women carving out a path in the industry, providing support, community and inspiration for student maritime officer cadets at Solent. Offering holistic support and aimed at cadets, the Group is all about uplifting women in the early stages of their maritime careers, pairing phase one cadets with those in phases three and five to offer a bespoke peer-to-peer support system. Vice President and BSc (Hons) Nautical Science (deck) cadet sponsored by P&O Ferries and managed by the Ship Safe Training Group (SSTG), Posy Crace, says:

"Warsash Women's Group is important to me because it helps me create a positive environment in which we can flourish. It gives me hope and a sense of pride. It's important for all the women to promote a sense of unity, to have space to talk and be vulnerable and supported.

"By creating this space, and by going onboard different vessels, we hope to expose people to women onboard and over time create a new norm."

The Group has welcomed a range of guest speakers, providing inspirational role models for the next generation of women in maritime. Emma Mark, who was a Chief Operating Officer in the industry before becoming a specialist coach for women in shipping, visited the Group in March, sharing insight into her career so far. Emma says:

"Meeting the members of the Warsash Women's Group and sharing my experiences of life in the maritime industry was a great pleasure. The challenges for women at sea are significant, buy by talking about them and highlighting areas for improvement and ways in which to build allyship, these women can stand tall and progress in their careers in the commercial shipping industry."

Women currently represent around only 2% of the global seafarer workforce, signalling a vital need for change. Warsash Maritime School, as a major training provider for UK cadets, recognises both the need for and importance of recruiting and retaining seafarers who come from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. It is only through this inclusion that the maritime industry can effectively represent the society it serves. Nautical Science (deck) cadet and Warsash Women's Group President, Elena Noad says:

"Creating this group has allowed us to build a network of support that extends beyond campus and across oceans. It's been so meaningful to watch new friendships form, stories be shared, and members' confidence grow. The Group has reminded me that sometimes, just knowing you're not alone can make all the difference."

At Warsash Maritime School, a diverse teaching staff supports hundreds of cadets, alongside standard entry undergraduates and postgraduates studying maritime business and yacht design courses, and senior seafarers, every year. In total, women account for around 12% of all students at the School, placing Warsash well above the sector average and highlighting their commitment to creating inclusive environments for women in maritime.

Deputy Head of Warsash Maritime School, Matthew Stewart, says:

"It is a disappointing reality that some women working in the maritime industry continue to face significant challenges - from underrepresentation and barriers in leadership to work environments that have not always been inclusive.

"At Warsash, we recognise these challenges and are proud to support the student-led Warsash Women's Group, which plays a vital role in fostering a sense of community, providing peer support and advocating for greater equity across the sector.

"The fantastic women who continue to contribute to this group truly are the leaders of tomorrow. We are incredibly proud of their commitment, determination and selflessness in voluntarily making this society work for a better, safer and more inclusive maritime industry."