Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2024

Whether it be boatbuilding, fishing, sailing, or navigating, women have always played vital roles in the maritime industry. Yet, the representation of women remains low across nearly every marine sector. Why is that? What do we sacrifice when we don’t prioritize the inclusion and leadership of women in the marine trades?

These questions led Annie Means to travel the world as part of her yearlong Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. In her presentation, she will explore the numerous incredible women at work in the blue economy. From female-led fishing cooperatives in Costa Rica to shipyards in the United Kingdom, cargo ship docks in New Zealand, and coral restoration efforts in Indonesia, Annie’s presentation highlights the vital importance of visibility and documentation in this sector.

Joined by co-presenter Belinda Joslin, the founder of the Women in Boat Building Network, Annie and Belinda will take a deep dive into one of the products from this year of research: the production of the web series The British Boat Builders 2023 Tour. This three-part web series highlights the remarkable craftsmanship of women boat builders across the United Kingdom. Featuring everything from single-woman boatyards to superyacht factories and sail lofts, the series aims to elevate the profiles of female boat builders. Rather than marginalizing them through stories focused on gender, it uplifts them by letting their craft speak for itself. Come join us to learn more about women's roles in the international maritime sector.