Jessica Moreno’s Journey withNorth Star
Jessica Moreno’s remarkable journey to becoming a Master of an Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV) exemplifies not only the importance of perseverance but also the vital role women play in STEM fields- particularly in maritime careers that require both technical expertise and leadership.
Her story began over two decades ago when she set sail as a cadet in the Spanish Navy, training on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. With an unwavering ambition to one day lead a ship, Jessica was driven by the belief that women too could excel in a traditionally male-dominated fields.
In March 2024, Jessica achieved her goal, stepping into the pivotal role of Master on the Grampian Freedom, a vessel that plays a critical part in ensuring the safety of offshore workers in the North Sea.
Jessica’s path to this point is a testament to her dedication and culmination of hard work and experience. From her time crewing military vessels to navigating high-speed ferries between the Canary Islands, she has built a broad and diverse range of offshore skills. Working her way through long periods offshore across Europe and holding roles on bunker barges, high-speed passenger ships and cargo vessels. Jessica’s plethora of experience reflects the resilience and expertise required to succeed in the maritime industry.
North Star’s ERRV fleet is the largest of its kind in Europe, delivering safety-critical, around-the-clock assistance to approximately 50 oil and gas installations in the North Sea and is on hand to provide essential crew rescue, firefighting, and other emergency response services to offshore operators.This service requires not only technical expertise but string leadership and teamwork qualities that Jessica embodies. “The company places communication, integrity and transparency at the heart of all its operations, which makes me extremely proud to have the opportunity to build on this foundation as part of the crew.”
“Being able to lead a vessel that provides essential safety support in high-risk environments has been a rewarding challenge,” she shares. “And while the work can be demanding, its incredibly fulfilling to know that our work saves lives.”
Jessica’s journey to leadership is also a story of mentorship and collaboration. She spent several months training alongside her predecessor, Daniel Milne, where she quickly developed strong bonds with the crew. “My time training with Daniel has been an excellent introduction to North Star and the fantastic crew, who have been extremely welcoming. Although he is moving to another opportunity within the company, we have built a lasting friendship and camaraderie, individually and with the wider crew, which is particularly strong when working in an offshore environment.”
As a former cadet, Jessica is passionate about developing the next generation of seafarers. “Since joining North Star I have been really pleased to see the company’s cadets coming on board to learn more about working offshore and developing skills. A career at sea is hard work and requires determination, but it can be extremely rewarding so it’s been great to see young talent embracing this, particularly seeing more female trainees joining,” she says. “A career at sea is hard work and requires determination, but it can be extremely rewarding so it’s been great to see young talent embracing this, particularly seeing more female trainees joining.” Encouraging more females to consider careers in maritime is key to ensuring a more diverse and innovative workforce in the future.
As a company we focus on safety, communication and transparency, alongside its growing involvement in offshore wind, aligns with Jessica’s vision of contributing to both traditional and emerging industries. “Although I’m relatively new to the energy side of the maritime sector, I recognise the important work North Star does in supporting traditional and emerging industries and I’m excited to see where we go next. For now, however, I’m excited to be working alongside my crew on the Grampian Freedom for what promises to be an exciting 2025 and beyond.”
For Jessica, leading the Grampian Freedom represents not just a personal achievement but also a significant step in breaking down barriers for women in STEM fields. As she looks to the future, she remains committed to inspiring others and paving the way for more females to step into leadership roles in maritime.
Pam Wilson
BIG Partnership
01224 211045
pam.wilson@bigpartnership.co.uk