From Conflict to Collaboration.
Helping maritime teams work better together under pressure.
Navigating workplace challenges in maritime teams
In high-pressure maritime environments, differences in generation, culture, gender and personality can quietly erode trust and teamwork. Over time, this shows up as miscommunication, frustration, higher absence, burnout and teams struggling to work well together.
I support maritime organisations to address these pressures early by strengthening communication, collaboration and leadership awareness. This creates the conditions for psychological safety, where people speak up sooner, work more effectively together and perform safely under pressure.
I’m Tineke Zoet, a certified maritime workplace coach and former maritime officer. I work with ship- and shore-based teams to reduce conflict, improve communication and strengthen wellbeing in complex, high-pressure environments.
Having worked at sea and ashore, I understand the realities of multicultural crews, generational differences and male-dominated workplaces, where unspoken norms, hierarchy and “toughness” can quietly undermine trust, safety and retention.
Informed by human factors research and academic practice, I bring a practical, human approach that helps teams address what’s really going on. Before stress escalates, people disengage, or safety is compromised.ct.
Create Confident Collaborative Teams
Practical support for maritime teams to work better together, even under pressure.
What teams gain from this work
Clearer communication across differences
Teams navigate generational, cultural, and personality differences with less friction and fewer misunderstandings.Stronger psychological safety
People feel safe to speak up early, raise concerns, and contribute ideas — before issues escalate.More confident, empathetic leadership
Leaders handle difficult conversations with clarity and care, reducing tension and preventing harmful behaviours.Healthier team dynamics
Less unspoken conflict, lower stress, and improved day-to-day collaboration.Better inclusion of different working styles
Including neurodiversity and sensitivity, leading to more effective teamwork and sustained wellbeing.
Trusted by maritime professionals
"It has been such a pleasure to work with Tineke! When I organized a podcast on seafarer well-being, I knew she would contribute mightily to the discussion. Indeed, that was true. Tineke kindly shared her knowledge in a friendly and approachable way, and it was clear that she has a deep knowledge of both the shipping industry and interpersonal dynamics."
Americas Manager – Marine Field Services & Monitoring, SGS North America
"Fascinating workshop. Really got me thinking. Opened my mind to the fact that there may be potential reasons why my communication with some of my students isn't always effective, and that it could be due to generational differences.
Maritime Lecturer, Faculty of Nautical Studies & STEM, City Of Glasgow College
