Jillian Carson-Jackson is well known to many in the industry, both in Australia and overseas, as a passionate advocate of the maritime sector and of diversity and inclusion. Jillian is also an example to many as the first Australian and first female president of The Nautical Institute.

Through work on three continents, with positions in Canada, France and Australia – spanning more than 30 years – Jillian has made significant contributions to technical, policy and legislative issues in an international environment.

Skilled in simulation training, vessel traffic services, operations and emergency management, Jillian started her career as a navigation cadet with the Canadian Coast Guard, mostly working on ice breakers in the Canadian Arctic and on the Great Lakes.

Jillian worked for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for nearly 10 years, in vessel traffic and pilotage services, before starting her own business in 2016. Today, Jillian provides maritime technical advice, education and training, with a focus on maritime communications technologies, risk assessment, VTS, vessel tracking, maritime domain awareness, standards development and related workshop facilitation.

Jillian said of her induction into the Maritime Hall of Fame, “I had never thought that I would receive this recognition, it isn’t something that was ever on my radar. To be honoured in this manner only strengthens my resolve to promote maritime, to focus on what I can do to support the industry.

“Maritime really does matter, and what we do in maritime makes a difference. I look forward to helping to shape a safe, sustainable and inclusive maritime industry that meets changing global needs in a digital era,” she said.

“This industry is my passion, and there is so much to be passionate about in maritime!”