Navigating the Depths: Hayley Adlam’s Uncharted Path in Offshore Engineering

In this week’s episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, I sit down with Hayley Adlam, a woman whose career spans the world’s oceans and crosses industry boundaries. Hayley, now the Fleet Services Technical Interface Manager and Marine Environment UK Deputy at ASN, shares a compelling journey marked by technical excellence, environmental stewardship, and a deep-rooted commitment to mentorship.

Hayley's offshore career began with a spark—her first trip with Gardline as a Marine Mammal Observer in 2006—which ignited a passion for the marine environment. Since then, she’s charted a path through the complex world of offshore wind farm construction, submarine telecommunications, and even Antarctic scientific observation. From working on Greenpeace's Esperanza, to supporting the British Antarctic Survey in the remote South Georgia islands, Hayley's experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

Her story is not only technical—it’s personal. In our conversation, Hayley reflects on how early exposure to STEM (think sandcastles, boat rides, and her first PC) laid the groundwork for a life connecting people across oceans. She also opens up about her time as a freelance surveyor and offshore site manager, navigating a male-dominated field with tenacity and grace.

Now, with over a decade of offshore work behind her, Hayley is leveraging her experience to advocate for sustainability, playing a pivotal role in global initiatives such as the UN Corporate Data Group and ASN’s fish aggregating device mitigation strategy. She’s also a fierce supporter of Women Offshore, encouraging others to join as mentors or mentees to help shape the next generation of seafaring women.

This episode is a celebration of how resilience, curiosity, and technical skill can lead to unexpected places—from the North Sea to Antarctica—and how one woman’s journey can help inspire many more.

 Tune in to hear Hayley’s story—and don’t forget to check out the Women Offshore MentorSHIP program to get involved.