ISWAN’s Global Campaign: ‘Safe at Sea…It Takes All of Us!’ is funded by The Seafarers’ Charity and The UK P&I Club. This campaign highlights the important role men seafarers can take as allies to their women colleagues.
Allyship (noun) is the quality or practice of helping or supporting other people who are part of a group that is treated badly or unfairly, although you are not yourself a member of this group. It means using your power, position, or privilege to uplift others. One of the most important ways to practise allyship is just to listen.
This campaign, which is based on the lived experiences and stories of seafarers themselves, offers practical steps for all seafarers, senior officers, maritime employers, and other maritime stakeholders to foster a strong culture of allyship at sea. It emphasises the importance of men proactively supporting and advocating for women seafarers, helping to create a safer and more inclusive maritime sector for all.
The questions in this form are designed to be completed during the sessions and discussions, and you will be prompted when it is time to respond to specific questions. Access the form here.
HOW TO BE AN ALLY – a guide for seafarers
HOW TO BE AN ALLY – a guide for maritime stakeholders
Use the hashtags #CrewAllySHIP and #WeAllBelong to show your support for the campaign in your social media posts. By including these hashtags and tagging ISWAN, you’ll help your posts and selfies reach the right audience, making it easier for us to share your support!
Joseph Vess, Senior Fellow at Equimundo
Joseph Vess is a Senior Fellow at Equimundo, focusing on gender-transformative programs that engage men in promoting gender equality in communities and workplaces. He co-developed the Living Peace curriculum in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi and has supported initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa, the former Yugoslavia, and Lebanon. Joseph also facilitates gender-equitable fatherhood programs for incarcerated men in Virginia. He holds an MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University and a BS in Journalism and Political Science from Northwestern University.
Capt. Ann Pletschke, Seafarer/Safer Waves
Ann Pletschke began her seafaring career in 2000 and now balances time between seafaring and shoreside consultancy, specializing in autonomous vessels, offshore inspections, and maritime standards. She holds a Class 1 Master Certificate and an MSc in Shipping Operations, along with an MEng in Autonomous Maritime Operations. Recently, she served as Captain of a UK coastal buoy tender.
Ann is passionate about creating inclusive and safe environments for seafarers. As a volunteer and Operations Manager for Safer Waves, she uses her experiences to support seafarers in need.
Hana Nguyenová, Project Coordinator - Human Sustainability, Global maritime Forum
Hana joined the Global Maritime Forum’s Human Sustainability team in August 2023 as a Project Coordinator for the Diversity@Sea initiative, which addresses systemic challenges like sexual misconduct and pregnancy at sea. She is also involved in research and initiatives to enhance seafarers’ mental health and well-being.
Previously, Hana worked as a PR Account Executive and interned in CSR and market research. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Economic Relations and a Master’s in Social Science in Sustainable Digital Life.
Ph.D. Susanne Justesen, Program Director – Human Sustainability, Global Maritime Forum 
Susanne Justesen is the Director of Human Sustainability at the Global Maritime Forum, specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies to enhance innovation within organizations.
Under her leadership, the human sustainability program has significantly expanded, focusing on safety, well-being, and securing future skills for the global maritime industry. Key initiatives include the Future Maritime Leaders, the Neptune Declaration, the All Aboard Alliance, and the Diversity@Sea initiative.
Susanne holds a PhD in Innovation & Diversity Leadership from Copenhagen Business School and champions sustainable practices in the maritime sector and global supply chain.
Dr Kate Pike, Director of Field-Research and Associate Professor Emeritus at Solent University
Dr Kate is a maritime researcher with 24 years of experience, specializing in the human side of shipping, including seafarer well-being, mental health, safety culture, and gender diversity. She has an academic background from Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Solent Universities in the UK, and her research is widely published.
Dr Kate leads the research for ISWAN’s Social Interaction Matters (SIM) Project and was a consultant director for the EU’s WESS Project, promoting women in maritime. She frequently speaks on maritime well-being and is active in various industry networks.
Heidi Heseltine, Founder & CEO at Diversity Study Group
Heidi Heseltine established the Diversity Study Group (DSG) in 2018 to advance DEI in the maritime industry, focusing on talent retention and attraction. She has developed a comprehensive DEI service portfolio, including data gathering, benchmarking programs, and an annual DEI in Maritime Conference, aimed at accelerating progress and avoiding common pitfalls.
With over 30 years in the maritime industry, Heidi began her career in vessel operations before shifting her focus to talent retention and attraction.
Anisia Marin, DPA/CSO at Y.CO
Anisia has had an adventurous journey from her maritime upbringing in Constanta, Romania, to the yachting industry, and now to her land-based life. Her career has brought unique challenges and rewarding experiences, allowing her to travel to incredible places, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets at sea.
Her passion for exploring new cultures and solo hiking shaped her adventurous spirit. While transitioning to a land-based lifestyle was a big change, Anisia has found fulfilment and a sense of belonging with her current team.
Venus Venugopalan, General Manager at Anglo-Eastern (UK) Ltd
Venus is a former Chief Engineer who sailed on Anglo-Eastern managed bulk carriers and container ships from 2000 to 2007, transitioning to a Vessel Manager role at the Hong Kong head office in 2008. In 2020, he relocated to London to establish and lead the company’s newest office, overseeing bulk carriers, container ships, Ro-Ro vessels, and gas carriers with crew from India, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Latvia.
As head of the London office, he manages technical operations, corporate affairs, and serves as the DPA for the dry fleet, ensuring safe vessel operations and crew well-being.
Dr Somiyeh Djavanroodi, Deputy Head of The Nautical Institute Academy at The Nautical Institute
Somiyeh earned her doctorate in 2023 and has a strong background in education, training, and research. She played a key role in establishing The Nautical Institute Academy, focusing on developing training programs for seafarers in leadership, competency, mental well-being, and lifelong learning.
Her work emphasizes enhancing leadership and management to improve operational performance, fostering safer and more efficient ships, and highlighting the importance of workplace training and seafarer education in creating better environments at sea and ashore.
Capt. Louise Sara, FC/Director at Carnival
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30 September 2024
3 min read
New resources released by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) give practical steps for fostering a culture of allyship between seafarers
2 September 2024
4 min read
A new seafarer-led campaign by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) highlights the role of allyship in creating safe and inclusive environments on board.
19 August 2024
2 min read
Our featured ISWAN member for August is Alassia NewShips Management Inc.
