Melissa Brown has spent the better part of 15 years building a career on the water. What started as a role as a Tug Deckhand with Westug in Dampier back in July 2010 has evolved into one of the most compelling career stories in Australian maritime.
Less than 2% of the world’s seafarers are women. Melissa is one of them, and she is not done yet.
Starting Out
When Melissa joined the Westug team in 2010, she was stepping into an industry that has historically been dominated by men. Undeterred, she set about learning her craft from the ground up, progressing steadily through roles and building the kind of hands-on experience that only years on the water can provide.
By the end of 2016, she had completed her training as both a Lineboat Deckhand and Lineboat Master, a significant milestone that opened the door to a deeper and more central role within operations.
The Next Chapter
In early 2025, Melissa took her most significant step yet, joining the Atlas Marine Partnership and commencing formal Tug Master training. It is a role that demands an exceptional level of skill, judgement and leadership, and one that very few women in Australia have held.
As part of her development, Melissa also participated in a Pilot run, an initiative designed to have Tug Masters and Pilots swap roles to gain firsthand perspective of each other’s responsibilities. It is exactly the kind of experience that separates good mariners from great ones.
In Her Own Words
For other women and girls considering a career in the maritime industry, Melissa’s advice is simple and characteristically understated.
“I would say absolutely go for it if it’s something that interests you. You may surprise yourself and end up in a career you never expected! While it can be hard work sometimes, there’s something about working on the ocean you just can’t match. Also, in my experience the blokes dominating the industry have been nothing but supportive.”
Leading the Way
Melissa’s journey is a testament to what is possible through consistency, hard work and a willingness to keep pushing forward. Her story is one we are glad to share, and one we hope inspires others considering a career in the maritime industry.