Posted on 7th Mar 2026
The offshore and marine industry has traditionally been a male-dominated sector. However, the landscape is gradually evolving. According to Offshore Energies UK’s Workforce Insight 2025, the number of female offshore workers has increased by 2.4% since 2022, while male numbers have declined slightly – a small but meaningful step toward a more diverse offshore workforce.
Long rotations, time away from home, and challenging working environments mean contractors rely on more than just technical skill. It takes grit, discipline and commitment to work offshore, but those working in the industry know that resilience rarely exists in isolation. Behind that resilience is something often forgotten: a strong support system.
This International Women’s Day, we want to recognise the role women play across the offshore industry, not only on projects themselves but also in the homes, offices and networks that keep the industry moving.
Offshore careers demand adaptability from everyone involved: the people working offshore, the teams supporting projects onshore and the families who adapt to the unique rhythm of offshore life.
Long rotations and time away from home mean that maintaining a healthy balance between work and life can be challenging. Offshore workers are not just professionals on rotation; they are people with families, responsibilities and lives that continue while they are away. Maintaining that balance is something many people working in offshore recruitment see first-hand.
For Jodie, Account Manager at Elevate Offshore’s UK office, supporting contractors often means staying connected around the clock:
“Working across different time zones means I am often answering calls, emails and WhatsApp messages to help solve problems, support contractors offshore and keep projects running smoothly.”
In a role where messages can arrive at any time, knowing when to step away is essential for maintaining balance.
“I have learned that it is important to switch off and step away when you can. Some things can always wait until the morning.”
Yana, Operations Manager at Elevate Offshore’s Singapore office, whose partner works offshore, also shares her perspective on balancing home and work life:
“A good routine keeps me grounded during the weeks my partner is offshore. Staying connected through WhatsApp and email helps bridge the distance, even if it’s just a quick message or photo. It’s the small, daily touches that make a big difference”
Recognising that balance, both for offshore workers and the teams supporting them, is an important part of creating a healthier industry.
Much of what keeps offshore careers possible happens outside the spotlight.
Partners and family members often manage the everyday logistics of life while someone is offshore. They help keep households running, support families and maintain stability during long rotations.
Gemma, Office Manager at Elevate Offshore’s UK office, whose husband works offshore, explains:
“Free time isn’t really a thing! School runs, work, after-school clubs, and weekend sports keep life busy. When your partner is on a boat, miles out at sea and sometimes uncontactable, everything is your responsibility. It can also be tricky switching from them being away to them being home again — they need time to decompress after a job and switch back to ‘normal life’.”
Yana adds:
“I often become the ‘anchor’ at home, making sure routines run smoothly and life feels balanced even when one half of the team is away. Being there mentally and emotionally is just as important as handling practical responsibilities. Small rituals and routines help me stay steady during the weeks he’s offshore.”
This type of support is rarely visible within the industry itself, yet it plays a vital role in making offshore careers sustainable.
At the same time, women across the sector are also building careers within offshore and marine industries themselves, contributing directly to projects, operations, and recruitment.
Recognising both the visible and invisible contributions that support offshore work is an important part of creating a more balanced and inclusive industry.
Offshore projects rely on far more than vessels and equipment.
Behind every mobilisation is a network of people coordinating travel, payroll, compliance, and logistics to ensure contractors arrive safely onsite and projects run smoothly.
At Elevate Offshore, these teams act as the bridge between life offshore and life at home.
Women make up 65% of our workforce, helping keep projects staffed, contractors supported and operations running day to day.
The role is often fast-paced and unpredictable, with calls and messages coming in across different time zones, but it’s also one of the ways the industry continues to adapt and support the people who make offshore work possible.
Gemma reflects on the adaptability required:
“Crew changes move, trips get delayed or extended, flights get cancelled. Sometimes important plans get missed or need to be changed. You need to be able to just ‘roll with it,’ even if it’s annoying.”
Yana ties the home and office experience together:
“Flexibility and adaptability are crucial — whether at home or in the office, it’s about keeping things moving despite challenges.”
More women are building careers across a wide range of roles, from recruitment and operations to technical and offshore positions themselves.
Some are balancing offshore life without the traditional support systems that others may rely on, requiring a high level of organisation, independence and discipline to manage both their career and life onshore.
As the industry continues to evolve, recognising these contributions is an important step toward building a more diverse and inclusive future.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the women working across every part of the offshore and marine community, from contractors on projects to the partners supporting life at home and the teams behind the scenes ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Their resilience, dedication and support help keep the industry moving forward every day, often in ways that go unseen.
Yana captures the spirit of the day:
“International Women’s Day is a reminder of the unseen strength women bring, whether offshore themselves or supporting from home. It’s about recognition, determination, and solidarity.”
For Jodie, the day is also about recognising the contributions women make across the industry and supporting each other’s growth:
“International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate women around us and recognise the work they do every day. The offshore industry is evolving and it’s great to see more women building careers and supporting each other along the way.”
This International Women’s Day, we want to recognise those contributions and thank the women helping shape the future of Elevate Offshore, and the wider offshore and marine sector.
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