Women at sea are redefining the offshore industry through survival training
The offshore sector has long been perceived as a man’s world; oil rigs, marine operations and industrial platforms often portrayed a workforce built on physical grit and masculine endurance. Yet as gender roles evolve across industries, more women are entering this space with confidence and skill. What was once a heavily male-dominated environment is now being reshaped by women who are not only prepared for the challenges offshore life brings, but who are thriving because of the right preparation and training.
Central to this transformation is BOSIET training, this course (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training), gives participants the essential survival skills required to work in offshore environments. It includes modules on sea survival, helicopter escape, first aid and fire safety. For women breaking into the industry, completing this training ensures readiness for complex environments while setting a strong tone for professionalism and competence from day one.
What the training involves
Courses in BOSIET training are known for being immersive; they demand both mental focus and physical readiness. Participants go through practical scenarios involving water entry, life raft boarding and helicopter ditching simulations. These drills are often conducted in controlled pools using submerged mock aircraft and flotation gear, giving trainees the opportunity to learn proper brace positions, escape techniques and teamwork methods under realistic pressure.
The OPITO-approved BOSIET training program includes modules on helicopter safety and HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training), sea survival and first aid, fire fighting and self-rescue and the use of emergency breathing systems (EBS). The course introduces safety protocols for offshore installations and prepares delegates to travel to and from these sites by helicopter, a requirement in the UK, Netherlands and likely soon in the Danish sector.
Such exposure is vital for anyone entering an offshore setting as it trains on muscle memory, reinforces calm thinking and strengthens coordination. For women, especially those transitioning into the sector from unrelated fields, this hands-on experience quickly replaces doubt with capability. The course structure is equal for all and that sense of shared difficulty levels the field for everyone involved.
Changing expectations through certification
Completion of the course leads to a BOSIET certificate, a requirement for most offshore jobs around the world. The certification signals an individual (regardless of gender) is fully trained in the safety procedures needed for offshore transport, platform work and emergency response. As more women receive their certificates, the offshore workforce is becoming more balanced, and employers are rethinking what it means to be fit for the job.
This shift is structural as women joining the field with proper certification can contribute meaningfully to teams from the very beginning. They bring engineering skills, environmental science expertise and technical knowledge that complement the hands-on safety training. The presence of qualified women challenges long-standing biases and opens conversations about gender, leadership and opportunities in marine and energy fields.
A culture of inclusion starts with training
Training providers have begun to reflect this shift as more reputable centres now offer more flexible scheduling, accessible facilities and a culture that supports inclusion without reducing standards. One provider, FMTC, is among those offering internationally recognized BOSIET training with realistic simulations and certified instructors. While not designed specifically for women, their programs demonstrate how equality in training environments builds equality in the field.
When women complete the same drills, pass the same evaluations and earn the same credentials, the impact is broader than one person’s resume. It shows future recruits that offshore careers are possible, not theoretical. It shows employers that safety and skill are not defined by gender. And it shows the industry that progress is best made through practice, preparation, and persistence.
Conclusion
The offshore world is changing, not through force, but through participation. Women are redefining what it looks like to work at sea, and they are doing it by showing up ready; physically, mentally, and professionally. With essential training like BOSIET training, they are proving that capability is earned, not assumed. Each new certificate issued is not just a pass into a new job; it is a step toward a more inclusive and forward-thinking offshore industry.
