From the Helm: A Female Perspective of
Life as a Tugboat Captain
Interview With Lindsay Price, Tugboat Captain for Harbor Assist. Operating in the ports of the Greater Houston/Galveston Harbor - Written by Lorraine Grubbs
As an author, I am constantly on the lookout to highlight people who are taking the road less travelled. I look for people who do things boldly and outside of most peoples’ comfort zones. Recently I had the honor of meeting Captain Lindsay Price at the Propeller Club of Galveston, Texas. After visiting with her for a few minutes, I asked if I could interview her for two reasons. She has accomplished something few females have and she is doing it boldly. Here is her story.
Q: How did you end up in the marine industry?
I never planned it. In my eighth grade year I went to New York City and fell in love. NYC had it all; the fast pace, skyscrapers and best of all, a great harbor. I told my mom, “When I grow up, I want to go to college here.” I don’t think she believed me but as a junior in high school I reminded her that I wanted to look at schools in NYC. My two passions are water and science and I wanted to do something in either field. I applied to the John J. College of Criminal Justice and the SUNY Maritime College. I chose SUNY for one main reason: they had dormitories for students. It’s hard to find reasonable living accommodations in Manhattan, especially as a single female, so I chose SUNY and decided to pursue a degree in Marine Environmental Sciences.
SUNY is run as a military academy, uniforms and all. I showed up for the first week of orientation and my advisor suggested I enroll in the licensed degree program. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the licensed program was extremely intense. It was like taking credits for a double major. In addition to regular college courses, we also took maritime courses for watch keeping, firefighting, lifeboat handling and first aid; I was taking 22 - 26 credits per semester.
For two months in the summer we went out on a training ship. It was an on-the-water classroom that taught us about standing watch, maintaining the boat and much more. Upon graduating from Suny, I held a 3rd Mate unlimited tonnage license which allowed me to sail on any ship worldwide as a 3rd officer. I also hold a B.S. Marine Environmental Sciences.
Q: What's been your career path since graduation?
I attended a career fair at SUNY and received three offers. One was from a Tugline tow company where I would be towing barges from Philadelphia to Puerto Rico. The second was Military Sealift Command where I would be at sea for 6 to 7 months at a time. The third was from a Tugboat company out of Galveston, Texas. I considered the first offer too dangerous, the second too much time away at sea, but the third allowed me to be home more and still work with the boats I had come to love. I therefore accepted the offer from G&H Towing Company out of Galveston, Texas.
Q: Describe your experience working as a female in a predominantly male industry.
I was not the first female hired at G&H but I was the first female officer hired. A week later another woman was hired but we did not meet until we served on the same vessel five months later and became very good friends.
As a female officer, I am grateful to G&H for paving the way and initially placing me in an environment with a good crew who accepted me. Over the last ten years that’s not always been the case. Sometimes men will watch me struggle with something and not offer to help. Luckily for me, those people are the minority. Most men I’ve worked with have been helpful. As a result, I have learned a lot about doing my job as a female in this industry.
My first assignment on a boat was that of mate. As a mate I was the captain’s right hand and duty relief officer. Several years later I was promoted to captain. (The first female captain ever at G&H.) I’ve been working as a captain ever since. I’ve had the privilege, as senior captain, of manning a newly built vessel and delivering it from the shipyard in Florida to our home berth in Texas.
Q: As a senior captain, have you found yourself operating outside of your comfort zone?
Yes, every day. Conditions change in the blink of an eye. That’s where experience is so important. As a captain I’m responsible for the safety of both crew and vessel. We work around the same docks, ships, etc. but many elements change quickly. The direction and speed of water currents, weather, and boat traffic can be very unpredictable. Each of these factors impacts our job at a moment’s notice. It keeps me on my toes with no time to be complacent. I’m constantly learning new techniques and maneuvers to safely navigate through it.
As captain, I have two primary responsibilities: the safety and health of my ship and crew, and the safe docking and sailing of ships that frequent the Houston and Galveston ports. The boat operates 24 hours a day so we always have four crewmembers aboard to make sure we are ready at a moment’s notice. It is my duty to ensure that the crew operates well together and at times I have to settle disagreements. During any down time we do paperwork and train.
I enjoy the training aspect of the job. I believe my calm and patient demeanor helps me be a better trainer. I put people in uncomfortable (not dangerous), hands-on situations so they can learn. During training, I don’t allow any distractions. That means no cell phones in the wheelhouse. I’ve never had an incident of any kind and I think my training plays a big role in that.
Q: What advice would you give other women trying to break into your industry?
I tell them it’s a fantastic industry with a good future and I am an example of the potential women have. Although today only 2 percent of those working in this industry are women, even less, .5 percent have risen to officer status.
I make it my mission to encourage women to get into the maritime industry. Through my involvement with organizations like WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trade Association), seasisters.org, other trade associations, colleges and conferences at which I speak, I encourage women to seek female mariners such as myself, to discuss careers in this industry.
I explain that I’m on a boat four days and home four days. It’s not as overbearing as being the only woman on a ship for months with no other female to communicate with. I believe women need self-confidence to work in this industry. They must develop thick skin in order to handle the unwelcoming crews they sometimes will face.
When it comes to women with families, I share that they will need a strong support system at home to handle things while they’re at sea. G&H Towing attracts more women because of the manageable work schedule - four days on, four days off.
Q: How do you stay motivated on the job?
I take great pride in my job and set goals accordingly. I tell my crew, “This is our boat and we must keep it in the best shape possible.” I also make sure I get to know my crewmembers by spending time with them. I often join them in performing maintenance, as I believe an officer should be able to do anything on the boat.
I like that we have a culture of safety at G&H Towing. Our commitment to training provides us with a sense of pride knowing safety comes first.
Q: What are your long-term goals?
My main goal is to become a Harbor Pilot. The Harbor Pilot’s job is to provide local knowledge to the ship’s captain and take over the navigation responsibilities of the ship as it comes into and goes out of the port.
Q: After ten years, would you do anything different in your career?
No, I enjoy my job and love the company. I’m in a position to one day fulfill my dream and become a Harbor Pilot, the “golden ticket” of the maritime industry. With so many applicants and so few positions, it may take a while, but I am determined and will work hard to attain that goal.
Q: Before we close the interview, when not piloting your boat, what do you like to do for fun?
I like to do a lot of things, but my favorite hobby is mountain climbing. I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Hood, Longs Peak, Mount Evens, and Pikes Peak and just got back from Argentina where I climbed Mount Aconcagua. I have also been swimming competitively since I was about five years old and am currently swimming with my local master’s swim team. Additionally, I race mountain bikes in local races in and around Houston. I do CrossFit to keep in shape for my mountain climbs and races.
As I walked away from the interview I was in awe. Here is a young lady that is a great example of someone following the road less travelled. And she’s traveling it very well.
Lorraine Grubbs is an author, speaker and business consultant.
What to learn more? Go to www.lorrainegrubbs.com
