SUCCESSFUL WOMEN IN WIND AMY GIBSON
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO I am vessel crew on Eden Rose, one of Tidal Transit Ltd’s Windfarm PTVs. My typical day starts with daily checks such as engine oil and coolant levels, first aid equipment, fender condition and general security and cleanliness.
From then it’s my job to take care of our passengers for the day, give them a safety brief, make bacon butties and cups of tea, transfer them onto the turbines and help to crane up their equipment.
During the day it is my responsibility to ensure that transfers take place safely and without incident. I ask the passengers for their turbine numbers for the day and which order they would like to work in, this information is communicated to the skipper.
Once our day’s work is done, we clean the vessel and prepare paperwork for the following day. We also perform regular safety drills and checks on all areas of the vessel to ensure that we stay on the ball and are confident to deal with any situation that may arise in a safe and efficient manner. We check all safety equipment and PPE on a regular basis. We also perform basic maintenance tasks as required.
A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND I grew up in North Wales and have always been an outdoorsy type! Since leaving school, my career path has mainly revolved around horses, racing and hunting, evolving into equine sales.
I have worked a few different sales positions and in recent years moved into more managerial roles with a lot of responsibility. Before starting at Tidal Transit I had very limited maritime experience and it has been a huge learning curve!
HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR FUTURE? I can’t even imagine what I did before this! I would find it very difficult to go back to the 9-5 life. I don’t like to plan too far ahead as I’m quite impulsive, having said that, when I make up my mind, I go for it!
Right now, I am concentrating on gaining as many qualifications as I can relating to the wind farm vessel industry. The only thing I can’t do a course for is experience, so I plan to get as much in as possible and be as useful a team member as I can be.
IF YOU HAD A SOAPBOX – WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
Go for it! For anyone wanting to get into this industry, especially women, just give it a go. It is a great, varied and often very rewarding job. More needs to be done to encourage women into the industry where possible. I would like to see more funding for training in this industry and availability of government supported apprenticeships for newcomers. There is a huge range of skills to be learnt out here!
YOUR OPINION ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY? This is one of those industries where women on staff is a relatively new development. For that reason, it can sometimes feel like you have something to prove to defend your right to a position over a male colleague. Thankfully, this is rare in our modern society. Tidal Transit currently employ two female crew members and we both feel like an equal part of the team! I believe that companies who are a bit more set in their ways, should consider female applicants
exactly as they would a male. I feel that one of the main
reasons that there aren’t more women doing this job, is that they didn’t know they could do it. It is still a man’s world offshore, but that does not mean that en equal opportunity is not available. A female crew member or skipper can be as valuable as their male counterpart, given the chance.
And a few more…
WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THE INDUSTRY?
I was initially offered my current position by Adam Wright, one of Tidal Transit’s Directors who I have known for 10 years and met whilst working in the kitchen of a pub on the Norfolk Coast where Adam was head chef.
I came from an equestrian and catering background with very little maritime experience. Adam said I would love the job and it turns out he was right!
WHO IS YOUR HERO AND WHY? My Dad. He has always worked hard to give
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 21
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE 10 YEARS FROM NOW?
Like most women, I would like to be settled and secure with a family of my own. If that doesn’t happen, I’d like to be the best I can be in my chosen career.
Amy Gibson Tidal Transit
www.tidal-transit.com
Click to view more info = Click to view video
us the best of everything and has always been there to help in moments of need. He’s always ready with some sound advice and support and has never been remotely shocked by any of my career decisions!
WHAT ANNOYS YOU THE MOST? Cruelty to animals.
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST HOLIDAY? Visiting my family in the French Alps, especially in the winter when I can ski with my little brother and walk in the snowy mountains.
WHO WOULD YOU NOT LIKE TO BE? Any celebrity, I value my privacy and can’t stand gossip!
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Change what you can and accept what you can’t.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SMELL? Freshly baked bread!
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Bake cakes, walk around the gorgeous Norfolk countryside, read, and spend time with my friends and family.
WHAT/WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD/CD/ARTIST/MUSIC? I love my iPod! I have such a varied taste and it carries over 2,000 songs. There’s one to suit every mood.
WHAT 3 WORDS WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOU
Determined, loyal and organised.
WHAT PROMINENT PERSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET?
I was once told that you should never meet your heroes as you may end up disappointed.
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