I usually encourage women to join this industry, but sometimes I encourage them to look elsewhere. I usually encourage men to join this industry, but sometimes I encourage them to look elsewhere. <br><br>At sea, my test is simple: Male and female, if I can sleep while you’re on bridge watch, you’re welcome aboard my vessel. If I can’t, we’ve got issues we’ll deal with over time, and hopefully it will work out. It has nothing to do with gender roles. <br><br>I recognize the challenges that women face when entering a field that was once 100% populated by men. It ain’t easy. Women who make a success of themselves in the maritime field have my utmost respect.