1. Joanna Bell
Introduction to myself.
My name is Joanna Bell; I am a married mother of four children. I am 44 years young
(although I don't feel a day over 21). I am currently a Senior Hydrographic Surveyor with
Deepocean, and for the past two years on a rotational contractual basis.
I have quite an active social life and enjoy tap dancing, playing piano and learning to
play the violin. As I live in the Lakes Distict, I enjoy walking up the fells with Sammy our
dog and friends. Last year, I had the idea for doing a 'Calendar Girls' style Calendar
outdoors in beautiful Lakeland settings. I'm waiting for warmer weather before I risk the
girls and myself catching pneumonia whilst striking a pose under a waterfall! The
Calendar will be launched later this summer when I'm home, ready for 2016 and
proceeds will be donated to a local Charity. I am most relaxed in the kitchen cooking up
new recipes and am planning to set up a blog to share ideas for delicious, colourful
smoothies. I also run a business, which I devote a large proportion of my time to; I'm
a distributor of perfume & cosmetics for a company called FM. I will certainly be taking
my sample kit of perfumes offshore with me on the next trip!

2. What I do for a living.
I am a Senior Hydrographic Surveyor, and usually carry out the following duties:
• Handover from previous Senior Surveyor on shift- Read Handover notes for
overview of work completed and check Work Pack for each Project.
• Preparation of Task Plans for planning Survey Grid/ Routes & Waypoints in
NaviPac Online
• Liaison with Client and Offshore Manager regarding Memo's and interim reports
• Survey spread set up for sensors. E.g. Reson Multibeam, TSS 340 Pipe tracker,
Side Scan Sonar and establish ROV flying height, speed and ping rate for good
data acquisition.
• QA and QC of KP databases, charts and NaviModel image results for Final
Reports.
• Attending daily meetings with updates on issues from Survey dept.
• Ensure the Online Surveyor has frequent breaks. E.g. Every 2 hours and 30
minutes for lunch (half way through shift, depending on start time)
• Liaise frequently with Senior Data Processor to ensure full coverage of data over
Survey Grid and prepare GNSS Tides for accurate reduction of tidal depths to
LAT.
How I got into the industry?
I wanted to take a Science-based degree and looked at all of the different combined
hons Marine Studies and Environmental Science Courses available around the UK,
including Bangor, Aberdeen and Plymouth. As the Marine Studies course at Plymouth
had a wider variety of modules, I decided to apply there. The appeal was to initially
study Marine Biology and then to travel the World. However, the Survey route held
more opportunities for graduates at the time I was finishing my degree. I applied mainly
to Survey companies based in Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth and I was finally given an
opportunity with Seateam in 1996. When I started my family in 2001 I was employed by
Stolt Offshore (now part of Acergy group), and I was given the opportunity to work in
the Office undertaking the IMCA Grand Parenting Scheme; which I enjoyed being
involved with.
Do I face any problems because of my gender?
The problems first unfolded when I applied for various positions returning to the
industry. I was usually asked the question “Why did you have a break from the
industry?”. I felt as though I was being penalized for taking time away to have a family
and explain why I'd taken a change of career path. The first few years of a child’s life are
so important, and you cannot get that time back; I wanted to be there for my children as
they grew up.
The main problems I faced were with the occasional maturer, male rigger who felt is
was okay to openly express what their views were on women working offshore and

3. perhaps had a more 'Old fashioned' approach.
On the otherhand, I also feel that many men working offshore enjoy female company,
and having had discussions with them about it, men often behave better and watch
their bad language when in the company of females offshore.
Do I believe this industry is male-dominated?
I do feel that the industry is male-dominated, mainly in the higher-ranking positions, E.g.
Supervisory and Offshore Manager roles. These roles are very demanding and it may be
that they are more suited to the male mindset and character, rather than for a woman.
It is also the woman's choice to apply for these roles if they feel they have the aptitude,
so I wouldn't rule out seeing more female supervisors applying for these roles in the
future.
What I would change about the industry.
I feel that it would be beneficial to encourage more females to join the industry as one
of my Norwegian colleagues had suggested 'Oystein Boksasp - Senior Surveyor with
Deepocean'. He would like to see more females working Offshore to add to the
dynamics of the Survey team. I understand that there is an Academy being established
in the North east to train more offshore personnel in various roles for periods when a
booming industry has the need to hire specialist personnel for more Projects.
Advice for other females wanting to join.
I would say that this industry can provide very exciting and challenging careers and
projects that are always different, bringing new challenges every day.
I love the fact that, although my work takes me away from my family for up to 4 week
periods, the time I have home is invaluable. We can plan to go away together and to see
local shows that my children and husband may be involved in.
As my husband is a self employed musician, it means his flexibility of working fits in
well with my unusual working pattern.
I would not be deterred from the perception of the minority, as most male co-workers
treat women as equals and part of the team. It is also important to be able to think on
your feet when you need to! If you are a good team player, have an open mind, enjoy
meeting different nationalities and importantly, have a good sense of humour, then you
will fit right in and make a valuable difference to this industry.