Women in Maritime Chaplaincy

My name is Erin Burnett and I have been ship visiting for almost a decade. Most of my experience has been in Northern Ireland, where I was the only female ship visitor in my local port. It did not take me long to realize that my experience was quite different from my male colleagues, and networking with others online – including Chaplain Michelle – helped me realize I was not alone.

I have conducted research at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, on the experiences of women in maritime chaplaincy. This is a ministry in which women are in a double minority, both amongst seafarers and amongst their colleagues. I interviewed fifteen women from across the globe, all serving as chaplains or ship‑visiting volunteers. They spoke very honestly about the joys and struggles they face.

On the positive side, many seafarers welcome a woman’s presence. Some open up more readily about family, relationships and mental health with a female ship visitor. Female seafarers, who can feel especially isolated on board, often find it easier to relax and be themselves with a woman chaplain or volunteer who understands something of what it means to be the odd one out.

Participants also described the challenges that come with being female in such a male-dominated space. They are sometimes mistaken for the chaplain’s wife or the secretary, rather than recognized as ministers in their own right. A significant part of the project focuses on sexual harassment from seafarers and ministry colleagues, and how women are not taken seriously when they try to report such incidents.

Seafarers’ ministry is a wonderful vocation and I would love to see more women involved, but in order for this to happen, changes need to be made so that more organizations follow the example of M2S in welcoming and supporting women. The thesis ends with practical suggestions drawn from participants’ suggestions: better training on safety and boundaries, clearer policies and support when things go wrong, and more intentional recruitment.

I hope this research can raise awareness of women in maritime chaplaincy and make others realize they are not alone.