Falmouth Harbour’s Abi Cook takes the helm in Belfast and Dublin

Abi Cook’s usual workplace is the water off Falmouth, meeting ships and getting pilots safely on board. Then she crossed the Irish Sea to see how the same job is done somewhere else, and to meet the women doing it.

The Falmouth Harbour pilot crew member has been on a voyage of discovery in Belfast and Dublin, spending time with crews at both ports and with fellow members of a small but growing network called the Ladies Who Launch.

📷Abi Cook and Kayleigh Ward aboard the Belfast Pilot Boat Hibernia. Photo: Belfast Harbour

Who are the Ladies Who Launch?

The Ladies Who Launch is a global networking group for women working in the pilot boat and workboat industry. It connects through LinkedIn and already has more than 30 members, with ports in the UK, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Kenya and Australia all represented.

The group exists to share knowledge, support one another and celebrate the growing number of women in maritime roles.

“It’s fantastic to be part of a community of women doing similar work in the marine industries all over the world,” says Abi. “But to actually meet and work with colleagues in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in person was really special.

“I spent brilliant time on and off the water, including with Kayleigh Ward at Belfast Harbour, Mariosa Bryceland at Dublin Port and Lorraine McLean (the first ever female skipper of the Strangford Ferry in Co Down).

“Although we work in different ports and have our own ways of operating, it became clear that we share many of the same experiences and face similar challenges within the industry.”

📷Abi Cook (right) on the helm of the Belfast Pilot Boat Hibernia with Kayleigh Ward. Photo: Belfast Harbour

On the helm in Belfast and Dublin

Abi went out on different pilot boats during the trip and took the helm herself, getting a feel for how each one handles and seeing how operations are carried out at both ports.

She also looked at each port’s VTS (Vessel Traffic System), which works as the maritime version of air traffic control for boats and shipping.

Every port has its own challenges, vessels and procedures. But the skills, teamwork and professionalism needed to support safe and efficient pilotage turned out to be shared ground.

📷Abi Cook helming the Dublin pilot boat Camac. Photo: Dublin Port

A changing industry

Beyond the boats, the trip was about people. Meeting women in similar roles gave Abi the chance to swap experiences, make friends and strengthen a network in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated.

Ben Borne, Deputy Harbour Master at Falmouth Harbour, says: “For historic reasons there are still many more men than women working in the maritime industries, but the good news is that ports and harbours like Falmouth and elsewhere in the world are positively determined to see that changing.

“It’s also important, as things change, to recognise that support networks are really positive and it’s fantastic that Abi was able to connect with and get a really uplifting experience with like-minded colleagues across the Irish Sea.”

📷Kayleigh Ward, Belfast Harbour, Abi Cook, Falmouth Harbour and Lorraine McLean, the first ever female skipper of the Strangford Ferry in Co Down. Photo: Strangford Ferry

Inspired to keep connecting

Abi thanked the Harbours of Falmouth and Dublin, along with Belfast’s Deputy Harbour Master Jamie Faulkner, for making the visit happen.

“I absolutely loved my trip,” she says. “I came away inspired, with new connections and an even greater appreciation for the women working in our industry. It reinforced just how important it is for us to connect, support one another and continue raising the profile of women in maritime.”

Women working on the water who want to join the Ladies Who Launch can get in touch with Abi Cook through LinkedIn. Falmouth Harbour covers the Inner Harbour, the Penryn River up to Coastlines Wharf, the southern Carrick Roads and much of Falmouth Bay, and its pilots guide ships to anchorages and berths from Truro and Penryn to the Helford River and the Lizard quarries.

📷Abi Cook and Kayleigh Ward visit the Dublin Pilot vessel Camac with Mariosa Bryceland (centre). Photo: Dublin Port