Ms McLennan (35) works as second mate on ships that support and provide supplies to oil and gas platforms and associated vessels off the coast of Karratha, northwest Australia.
She estimates she is one of 10 female officers in the area, in which there is much oil and gas activity. The male-dominated environment could be sexist, and she had even been told she should be more ''ladylike'' when dealing with other crew members.
Ms McLennan, a former member of the New Zealand Naval Reserve, said her role involved navigation and safety. She works five weeks on the ship, and five weeks off. She flies in and out of northwest Australia, heading home when she is on shore to Bunbury, south of Perth. Unlike her previous roles on container ships, the oil and gas work involved much more manoeuvering, as ships need to be in certain positions in order for supply lines to be connected.
Her work on container ships took her to ports all over the world, and she had visited dozens of countries.
Now, her work was more confined to the area off the coast, although she had sailed to South Africa, Singapore and China on occasion.
Her ticket allowing her to work as a second mate on foreign vessels took three years' study in Auckland, obtained just over ten years ago on a cadetship with shipping line Maersk.
Her job was well paid; she earned more than $NZ200,000 a year for what was effectively six months' work. Being out on the ships was intense, and could also be tedious. Break times were mandated, but it was not possible to completely switch off because of the environment.
However, she loved her job, as it had allowed her to see the world.
She is home in Dunedin visiting her parents in Sawyers Bay.
