Why Community Should be a Top Priority for Employers
By Jenny Johnson, Maritime Inclusion Partners
Most maritime employers will tell you they are doing everything possible to solve their labor shortage crisis. They are increasing wages, offering sign-on and retention bonuses, and career development and growth programs. But one resource they always fall short of is supporting and engaging the nonprofit maritime community in an impactful way. Not branching out of the comfortable maritime circles you have always operated in will continue to yield the same results. If you are truly committed to sustainability you need to appeal to a generation of people who value inclusion and purpose over the mighty dollar. Additionally, these nonprofit organizations are the boots on the ground every day promoting the maritime industry and encouraging people to take this career path.
Throughout the past 5 years, I have gained a greater understanding of the maritime community and acknowledged my limited perspective on what it entails. Initially, my focus was solely on individuals closely involved in ship-related work, but I now realize that there are many deserving organizations within the industry that warrant recognition and support.
One such organization is Narwhal Divers, which operates in San Francisco. I recently established the Maritime Inclusion Partners Facebook page and ran paid ads on social media. It was through this platform that I connected with Niko Kowell, the founder of Narwhal Divers. Following our virtual meeting, I discovered that their mission is to create safe spaces for Trans & Queer individuals interested in scuba diving. They are actively engaged in educating and involving the dive community to foster LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Initially, I wasn't certain about the maritime connection when Niko approached me. My focus had primarily been on addressing the shortage of mariners by creating a safer and more inclusive industry. However, during our conversation, Niko used the term "ocean access equity," which instantly sparked my imagination. It became evident that ensuring widespread access to various forms of water is the initial step towards building a sustainable maritime workforce.
Some organizations have a more obvious maritime connection, such as the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates (OBMG), whose mission is to raise awareness about minority involvement in maritime through recruitment, mentoring, scholarships, and networking. Another example is Women Offshore, which has established an amazing global community supporting professional development in the maritime industry for all while advocating for women's issues at sea.
Nevertheless, despite the valuable work undertaken by these organizations, awareness of their existence remains a significant barrier. If individuals are not actively seeking information or operating within specific circles of the industry, it is unlikely that they will come across these organizations.
At Maritime Inclusion Partners, our aim is to transform the maritime community, in all its diverse forms, into a network of opportunities. When we welcome new members into our community, we do so with the intention of assisting their growth and success. When engaging with clients, or potential clients, we encourage them to explore our network and engage with these organizations. By embracing their unique perspectives and contributions, we become stronger as a whole, and meaningful change is brought about.
Any organization dedicated to encouraging individuals from all backgrounds to engage with water-related activities should be considered a part of the maritime community. These organizations work tirelessly to foster a safer, more diverse, and inclusive maritime industry, ultimately ensuring labor sustainability and profitability.
In conclusion, it is crucial that key stakeholders across the industry prioritize supporting these non-profit organizations through funding and advocacy in the upcoming year. A fantastic starting point is visiting maritimeinclusionpartners.com/our-network. Here you will see a long list of organizations in our network and new members are added regularly. Let’s make 2024 a year of visibility and awareness for these critical organizations that are key to the longevity, sustainability, and success of the US maritime workforce.