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Working at Resolve Marine

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An interview with a crewmember on the Pioneer.

We sat down with Jessica Gaisbrauer, First Engineer on the Pioneer, to learn more about what she does and what it’s like to work as a mariner for Resolve Marine. She was traveling from her hometown in Eugene, Oregon to Anchorage then to Dutch Harbor, Alaska for a crew change; 60 days on followed by 60 days off. Jessica worked at Resolve Marine through June 2024. 

Crew change in Anchorage: Jessica heads to Dutch Harbor (L-R AB Ernie Rogers, Craig Walters (pilot), Rolf Ekenes (Chief Engineer, Pioneer), Capt. Jacob Bick (Makushin Bay), Justin Deane (Engineer, Makushin Bay and Jessica Gaisbauer (First Assistant Engineer, Pioneer)

What do you do for Resolve Marine?

I’m First Assistant Engineer on the Resolve Pioneer. I work with the crew in the engine department. My responsibilities are the maintenance and operation of the engine room. To do this I need to understand how a diesel engine works, understand power generation, electrical, plumbing, welding, machining, hydraulics, pneumatics and more. I’m a jack-of-all-trades kind of engineer and hands on with all things mechanical.  
 

What does a typical week look like?

We have a weekly maintenance schedule for the Pioneer. And if we’re not underway, we come up with our own projects to improve the vessel. I like this part of my work. If I want to change something or improve something, we can put a plan together, get approval and do it. For example, we changed the handrails on the stairs to make them more useful. When we do our own welding work, it’s great to have the shipyard right here.
 

What is your background and how did you get interested in this kind of work?

I went to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. In a four-year program, I received a bachelor’s degree in marine technology engineering and earned Third Assistant Officer’s License from the USCG. The license is a requirement for this position. After that, I worked for Kirby on an ATB, for Hornbeck on a mud boat, and as an OSRO for Marine Spill Response Corporation on standby vessels for oil spill response. I’ve also worked on tugboats. I’m currently working on earning upgrades and certifications to become a chief engineer and just need to complete the USCG tests.
 

What made you choose to attend college at a maritime academy?

I didn’t know what I was going to do when I graduated high school. I took one of those aptitude tests and it had marine engineering on it. I then took a tour of the school and liked it. At the end of the first year, I found that I really enjoyed it and I’ve been doing it ever since.
 

Tell me about your crewmates?

I get along with everyone. We all know how to have fun and get work done at the same time. My role is often a translator between what the Chief Engineer orders and what the deck department needs to do.
 

Tell us about working at Resolve Marine?

I like working here. Rarely are any two days the same. Even when responding to an emergency tow, no two emergency tows are the same. I also like the fact that given my skillset, I can help save the company money. There’s no reason to call outside technicians to do things. I can look at a manual and figure out how to do something, and can sometimes do it better than a technician.
 

What’s it like being the only woman on a crew?

I’m indifferent about it. It’s never been an issue working at Resolve Marine. The crew is respectful. It’s been the case on most of the boats I’ve sailed on.
 

Any advice for up and comers into the field?

Having attended an academy, I was introduced to a lot of theoretical knowledge and information, which is very useful when trouble shooting on the job, bringing book experience to bear. But it’s the practical skills that will make or break you on a boat. You must put in the time to learn how to use different tools and machining skills. The practical skills are what is going to set you apart and help you advance.

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