International Maritime Organisation (IMO) International Day for Women in Maritime is observed on 18 May every year. The day celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.
The IMO-WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) Women in Maritime Survey 2024 reported that women account for just 19% of the workforce with only 1-2% of them being a part of the seafaring workforce. For more information visit the IMO website at https://www.imo.org/en/about/events/pages/international-day-for-women-in-maritime-2026.aspx.
To mark this occasion on St Helena we are promoting one of our St Helenians working in the maritime industry, Master Nicola O’Loan (Nee Mittens).
Nicola started her career at sea at the age of 16 years. She joined the RMS St Helena under Curnow Shipping at the time as a deck cadet.
Nicola commented:
“I first stepped foot onboard the RMS on 13 November 1996 and clearly remember the first week very well en route to Cape Town. Having never left St Helena before it was definitely an eye opener into the real world”.
Nicola worked towards gaining her Certificate of Competency as a 3rd Officer at South Tyneside Nautical College in the UK. This involved a combination of studying at college and spending time at sea.
Nicola added:
“I was lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time on various types of vessels during my cadetship: the passenger liner, Queen Elizabeth (QE) 2, sailing across to New York and the Norwegian Fjords and a container ship, CGM Cavalier, travelling from Europe to South America and the Caribbean. With Trinity House maintaining navigational buoys and lighthouses around UK and at UMA dredging”.
Nicola qualified as an Officer of the Watch (OOW), 3rd Officer, in summer 2000 and then sailed for a few years as 3rd and 2nd Mate onboard the RMS St Helena. She then joined Red Funnel Ferry Company on the ‘Ro-Ro’ and Hi-speed vessels operating between Southampton and the Isle of Wight as Chief Officer and became Master on the Hi-speed vessels in 2007.
When reflecting on her career Nicola says:
“As a young girl, it was a fantastic opportunity that helped shape my future while contributing to the growing number of females in the Merchant Navy. I would encourage anyone to take the leap and pursue such an incredible career opportunity if given the chance. Not only does it offer the opportunity to see the world, but there is also so much to learn and gain from a career in the Merchant Navy”.
More Information About Women in Maritime
- In the 18th century, women were often considered bad luck on ships, believed to distract the crew and anger the sea. Despite restrictions, women served as stewardesses and keepers of ship records. Wives of captains sometimes took command in emergencies, such as the case of Caroline Mayhew in 1846.
- During WWI and WWII, women significantly increased their presence in shipbuilding, with women making up nearly 65% of West Coast US shipbuilders during World War II, though many lost these jobs after the war.
- The only way for most women to take part in running a merchant vessel before 1900, was through marriage or by being the captain’s daughter
- Women in Maritime – Ida Lewis (1842–1911) was a renowned American lighthouse keeper famously nicknamed “the bravest woman in America” for her daring rescues of shipwrecked sailors and residents in Rhode Island. As keeper of the Lime Rock Light Station, she officially saved 18 lives, some estimates suggest up to 36, and was the first woman to receive the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
- The Legend of Awilda: Alwilda was a Scandinavian princess in the 5th century. Her father arranged a marriage for her to Alf, the crown prince of Denmark, but Alwilda refused. To avoid this arranged marriage, together with some female friends, she decided to dress like a sailor and take command of a ship. While sailing, Alwilda’s ship encountered a pirate ship that had recently lost its captain, and the pirates elected her to be their captain. The prince of Denmark sent his son Alf to fight against the pirates. Alf’s courage impressed Alwilda and made her reveal her real identity. They married onboard the pirate ship and lived happily as King and Queen of Denmark.
Are you a woman working in the maritime industry and would like to share your story? Please get in contact with Wendy Benjamin via email at wendy.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Photos
Nicola with a fellow cadet on board the RMS St Helena
Nicola in the Master’s seat of a Red Funnell ferry
(Photos courtesy of Nicola O’Loan)