The commercial workboat and Rib charter sector has long been viewed as a male dominated environment. Long days, demanding conditions, heavy equipment, and high pressure decision making have traditionally shaped perceptions of who belongs on deck.
But the reality on the water is changing, not because standards have shifted, but because more women are meeting them head on.
To explore what that really looks like in practice, we spoke with Paige Swan, a Commercial Rib Charter crew member, about her route into the industry, the realities of the job, and what genuinely matters offshore.
Finding a way in
Paige’s path into commercial marine work was not accidental. It was built step by step through time on the water.
She began supporting safety operations for swim and triathlon events before moving into commercial diving. From there, working with commercial vessels became part of the job rather than something unusual.
“I contacted CRC directly and asked for an opportunity,” she explains. “The industry is traditionally male dominated. That is just a fact. The opportunity was given, I took it seriously, and I thrived.”
That approach, asking directly, committing fully, and proving capability through action, is a recurring theme in professional workboat environments. There are no shortcuts, but there are opportunities for those prepared to put the work in.
What a working day really looks like
There is no such thing as a typical day in commercial Rib operations, and that unpredictability is part of the appeal.
A day might involve:
- Vessel wash downs and engine checks
- Routine maintenance and equipment inspections
- Bunkering significant volumes of fuel
- Supporting technicians and anchor spreads
- Acting as deck support to ensure the vessel is secure underway and alongside
And then there’s the less glamorous but essential side of the job. Paperwork when required, logistics, and making sure the crew functions smoothly, including making tea and coffee when it is needed.
“Everyone earns their place onboard,” Paige says. “No task is beneath you if it needs doing.”
That attitude is fundamental in commercial operations. Respect is not about job titles. It is about pulling your weight.
The skills that actually matter
Ask what skills are most important in commercial marine work, and Paige’s answer is immediate.
“Attitude, first and foremost.”
Technical skills can be taught. What’s harder to instil is work ethic, situational awareness, calm communication, and the ability to perform properly under pressure.
In demanding marine environments, how you conduct yourself often matters more than what certificates you hold. Reliability, consistency, and judgement are what crews depend on when conditions deteriorate or timelines tighten.
Dealing with being underestimated
When asked whether she has ever felt underestimated on the job, Paige’s response is clear.
“No, because I do not give people the opportunity to underestimate me.”
In a results driven environment, presentation, professionalism, and standards quickly override assumptions. Working with companies and teams that value competence over ego sets the cultural tone. When expectations are clear and consistently met, stereotypes do not last long.
Is gender relevant offshore
Rather than framing gender as an advantage or disadvantage, Paige takes a practical view.
“Different people bring different perspectives, full stop.”
Operational strength comes from varied thinking, experience, and problem solving approaches. Teams built around a single way of thinking limit themselves, especially in environments where adaptability is critical.
Competence is not gendered. Neither is accountability.
Challenges that build experience
For Paige, the most challenging moments have not been about conditions or physical demands. They have been about learning to think beyond taught procedures.
Those moments when the obvious solution does not work, and you are forced to reassess, adapt, and still deliver, are where real experience is earned. Creative problem solving under pressure is a defining feature of commercial marine work and one that separates time served crew from trusted operators.
Advice for women entering the industry
Paige does not sugar coat her advice.
“Have a strong mind and a stronger backbone.”
The workboat industry is not soft. It can be dirty, physically demanding, and mentally exhausting. Standards have been historically set by men. That is fine, but expectations have not lowered.
Anyone entering the sector should be prepared to learn constantly, take advice when it is warranted, stand their ground when necessary, and accept criticism as part of maintaining standards.
This advice is not just for women. It applies to anyone serious about working offshore.
Why she stays
So what keeps her motivated.
“The adrenaline.”
Fast paced projects, varied vessels, real world problem solving, and operating in environments where decisions matter are what keep the job engaging. Commercial marine work is not about comfort. It is about trust.
“At sea, respect is built quietly,” Paige explains. “You are trusted because you have shown consistency, turning up prepared, doing the job properly even when no one is watching.” When conditions are poor, timelines are tight, and everyone is tired, performance is the only currency that matters. Those who can be relied on belong there. Those who cannot do not.
Regardless of gender or background, the commercial workboat sector needs resilient, accountable people with a sense of humour when things go wrong. Women like Paige are not changing the industry by asking for different standards. They are changing it by meeting the existing ones and raising expectations through professionalism, consistency, and capability.
And that is exactly how progress should look.
