Meet the women shaping the future of maritime

International Day for Women in Maritime, celebrated on 18 May, underscores the sector's commitment to enhancing the visibility of women, promoting an inclusive workplace, and paving the way for greater diversity and excellence in maritime.

This day serves as a reminder of the vital contributions made by women and the ongoing efforts to ensure they have a strong presence in all aspects of maritime life. 

Port Authority of NSW is proudly spotlighting some of the incredible women who are shaping the future of maritime safety under this year's theme "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety."  

Venessa O’Connell - Pioneering Hydrographic Surveying 

Venessa is the Group Survey Manager at Port Authority of NSW and leads the team responsible for surveying and mapping across our ports.  

With a start in land surveying and specialized hydrographic experience from the army reserves, Venessa now oversees the management of 50 sensors providing crucial real-time data for port management.  

Her journey illustrates the unique blend of technical expertise and operational leadership that defines the port industry. Venessa's commitment to efficient and effective solutions showcases how women in leadership are pivotal in evolving maritime safety and operations. 

Fiona McKay - Empowering Environmental Stewardship 

Fiona is a Principal Environmental Planner, with over two decades of experience in environmental  

impact assessment and management.  Since joining Port Authority she has been instrumental in steering Port Authority of NSW towards sustainable practices. Her journey began with a passion for infrastructure projects, influenced by her father's maritime background.  

Today, Fiona is involved in a range of planning and environmental operations across NSW, focusing on projects like shore power, marine pest management and biosecurity. Her role underscores the critical influence of environmental stewardship in maritime safety.   

Monika Lemajic - Championing On-Water Operations 

Monika joined Port Authority as Asset Operations Manager, working with her team to manage the entire fleet of vessels across their lifetime and supporting their operational requirements and strategic direction.  

In her day-to-day role, she assesses how vessels are operating in the water, watches for defects and manages the people, processes and tools to support rectification, as well as liaising across business units from operations to suppliers and working groups to ensure Port Authority’s vessels are up to scratch.  

Today, it’s the dynamics of the port industry, from the variety of vessels that arrive in NSW ports to the supporting assets required across cargo handling, wharves, and shore services, that create an innovative and solutions-focused industry she loves.  

Jo-An Smith – A Cornerstone of Operations

Senior Administration Coordinator Operations, Jo-An performs a linchpin role with Port Authority. She is the go-to for everything from keeping fuel tanks restocked for vessels, to clothing operational staff head-to-toe in personal protective equipment, and managing stores and supplies for the operations team.  

Jo-An has leapt at the chance of additional education opportunities, training in Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS), and as a Tier 2 Incident Logistics, Finance, Admin & Cost Recovery Officer to be able to respond to oil spill emergencies on behalf of Port Authority. 

This year, Jo-An was also named as patron of the state-of-the-art multi-purpose vessel Burra.   

For more information on International Women in Maritime Day visit International Day for Women in Maritime 2024