Irish Boat Shop remains a leader in the industry for training and employee engagement, and the team continues to view her the same as any male tech in the field. But Briggs admits that in regard to the industry as a whole,“ there’ s always that expectation when you come in that there’ s a reason you’ re hired and it’ s not because you know what you’ re doing; it’ s because they needed to check a couple boxes.”
She brings some special skills to the table as a female tech like“ yacht yoga,” or the ability to fit into smaller spaces to make repairs that many male techs can’ t access. She also frequently helps with training, thanks to her patience and understanding that new techs can ' t be expected to excel at tasts they’ ve never done before.
“ I try to give people more slack than I was ever given,” she said. She got over her fear of asking for help after realizing that others may know exactly how to help, and if they don’ t, a problem can create an opportunity for collaboration.
So what are women facing now in the industry? Mia Jackson, a recent graduate from The Landing School in Maine,( where she was the only female student in her
I ' d love to have a home base... Somewhere I can take pride in and work comfortably from.
MIA JACKSON Recent graduate from The Landing School
Don ' t stress so much. We ' re helping people have fun.
JULIA BRIGGS ABYC Master Technician class) is new to the marine industry. She has begun interviewing for technician jobs, and reports that they’ ve been purely skills-based, especially interested in her experience, ABYC certifications, and the results of her final project from TLS.
During one of her first projects, Jackson got an indication that her experience would be different from her peers. While disassembling an engine, she realized she would be facing strength issues.“ The guys around me didn’ t seem to have trouble lifting things, but I struggled,” she said.“ It made me aware of the physical challenges I might face, but it also pushed me to find smarter ways to work through them.”
Her classmates didn’ t use this as an opportunity to single her out. Instead, they offered an inviting community, often spending time together outside of the classroom.“ Everyone was always invited. Being included like that made me feel seen and valued,” Jackson said.
When asked about her expectations for her first technician job, her answer had nothing to do with how she might feel being the only female tech in the yard.“ I’ d love to have a‘ home base.' My own toolbox, my tools, maybe even a barstool,” she said.“ Somewhere I can take pride in and work comfortably from.”
This isn’ t to say that female technicians have now broken every barrier, but it ' s encouraging to see the shift in a female technician ' s focus when asked about her expectations within the field.
“ It will always be challenging, but the types of challenges change as you learn and gain experience,” Tufts said, addressing what she wishes someone would have told her on her first day as a marine tech.“ Don’ t stress so much,” Briggs added.“ We’ re helping people have fun.” Does the broader marine industry still have progress to make? Absolutely. And on a day sooner than we think, we’ ll have enough women in the yards that we won’ t need to single them out as outstanding female techs – they’ ll just be outstanding techs.
www. boatingindustry. com june 2025
27