Resilience Offshore: Svetlana Klockova’s Journey Through a Traditionally Male-Dominated Industry

For International Women’s Day, we spoke with Svetlana Klockova, an Offshore Surveyor at Elevate Offshore, about her journey. From making a bold career transition to navigating the challenges of a traditionally male-dominated industry, she shared insights into the resilience required and the rewards of working offshore.

A Decisive Career Transition

Svetlana’s path to offshore surveying is as unconventional as it is inspiring. With an academic background in Law and Finance, she spent several years in 9-5 finance and auditing-related roles before relocating to England. Seeking greater flexibility, the opportunity to travel, and more time with family in Latvia, she embraced change by pursuing an MSc in Hydrography at Plymouth University, for which Elevate Offshore now offers a scholarship opportunity each year. This move paved the way for her entry into the offshore industry, where she now serves as a staff member at Elevate Offshore, building on her early experiences as a hydrographic surveyor.

The Dynamics of Offshore Work

For Svetlana, offshore work is more than technical precision—the social environment keeps her engaged. Known as a “social butterfly” during her five years at sea, she values connecting with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and exploring new cultures. Despite the dynamic and rewarding nature of life offshore, Svetlana is well aware of the challenges inherent in a constantly changing team setting. “As much as I love meeting new people, the biggest challenge is working with them. You can’t be friends or expect to be liked by everyone. Sometimes, personalities clash, and you have to remain professional. Unfortunately, not everyone manages to keep their feelings in check. The best approach is to stay professional, but if that’s not enough, it’s important to escalate the issue to someone who can help resolve it.”

Being Away from Home

Svetlana reflects on being away from home so often, “Reality at home can hit hard, and it’s tough feeling helpless when loved ones need you. But since my colleagues are literally in the same boat, we share our worries and support each other. The tough part of offshore work is that I may never work with some of them again—but that’s no reason not to stay in touch.”

Learning Through Experience

Svetlana recalls that her early assignments had steep learning curves in terms of both technical skills and workplace dynamics. “I think back to my very first offshore trip in April 2019. I was still at university and went offshore during the Easter break for a geotechnical project using CPT and a vibrocorer—equipment I had never even heard of in my studies. We had to assemble a three-metre-long vibrocorer, and I had no idea what I was doing. At best, I could fetch tools for the senior staff. I had to learn fast, adapt to the night shift, and get into the rhythm of offshore work.” These early experiences reinforced the importance of quick learning, adaptability, and resilience required in offshore work.

When asked what her typical day looks like now, she says, “I do 12-hour shifts every day, no matter how long the trip is. The days will vary depending on the project. Still, most of my jobs will include subsea position monitoring and updating the navigational screen used by all stations on the vessel. When on a vessel with unfamiliar people, I try to maintain a ‘normal’ life—hitting the gym, playing games, or joining movie nights when available. What’s always guaranteed, though, is getting to know my colleagues. Spending 6–12 hours per shift with the survey team, bridge, supervisor, or ROV crew means I bond with them far more in four weeks offshore than in three years at the office. It’s like being at the pub—just without the drinks!”

Navigating Workplace Challenges

As with many female professionals in male-dominated fields, Svetlana’s early career was challenging. She encountered situations where colleagues expressed undue scepticism about simple tasks, and she felt some unfairly questioned her capabilities. In one case, a social setting led to an incident that required her to initiate a formal grievance process. Although the outcome did not fully resolve her concerns, the experience reinforced her commitment to maintaining professional boundaries and advocating for a respectful work environment.

Though challenging, these experiences were instrumental in shaping Svetlana’s professional integrity and reinforcing the importance of accountability. They also underscored the necessity of a supportive environment—a need Svetlana has, so far, found met at Elevate Offshore.

Since joining Elevate Offshore July 2024, Svetlana has experienced a markedly different culture. The company’s approach, characterised by genuine, respectful communication, stands in stark contrast to past experiences she faced. This supportive atmosphere has allowed her to focus on her work and professional growth without the distractions of unresolved interpersonal conflicts.

“I Will Handle It, But I Gotta Cry First”

Reflecting on her coping mechanisms offshore, Svetlana shares, “Although it was not an issue earlier in my career, joining a new vessel now causes me

anxiety. At the start of my career, some men would not trust me with a screwdriver or greasing the winch. There have been times I’ve cried quietly on the back deck. It doesn’t make me weak. Women process emotions differently to men, and I want to see an industry that accepts our coping methods as a sign of strength.”

Looking Forward

When asked about what advancements or innovations she foresees shaping the industry in future, she told us, “The biggest one is the possibility of moving all offshore personnel onshore and working remotely. I am not a fan because the social part of my job is significant.”

As the offshore industry evolves—with advancements in remote operations and emerging technologies like USVs and AUVs—Svetlana remains committed to the aspects of her role that she values most: teamwork, continuous learning, and professional integrity. Her advice for those considering a career in offshore surveying is straightforward: “It’s a cool job. Be prepared for challenges, embrace continuous learning, and choose environments that value respect and accountability. If the offshore lifestyle isn’t for you, there are plenty of onshore jobs to consider.”

Final Reflections

When asked to share her impression of Elevate Offshore, eight months into the job, she told us, “Elevate Offshore is my first agency. I’d heard many good things about them and noticed they have never contacted me on LinkedIn offering a freelance job. Many agencies send you job opportunities without looking at your profile, ignoring that you are employed full-time, showing that they only care about filling the position. Knowing myself, I need someone who will talk to me and listen and definitely not throw me under the bus. My time, so far, has been stress-free, and I hope it continues this way. My drift from conventional full-time employment was due to a lack of communication from the employers’ side and an unwillingness to provide a safe work environment. In reality, I only want to go offshore and go on vacations. Am I asking much? Luckily, Elevate Offshore can provide me with work and free time!”

Svetlana’s journey underscores the resilience and dedication required to excel in offshore surveying. Her experiences—both rewarding and challenging—offer

a candid perspective on the realities for women working in the industry.

“Why do I still work offshore? Because I love it! Everything I said in the beginning still stands. These negative events mentioned have greatly affected me, but they will not define my career path. And you know why? Because I can handle it – I just gotta to cry first!”