She is 24 years old with a background that includes artists’ training in India, stunt training in Seattle, acting, a line cook, New York University graduate, a drag performer, retail, security guard and a bookkeeper.

“At the risk of sounding frivolous, I challenge anyone to see the sunlight in the ripples of the ocean and the bobbing of the behemoth vessels in port *every* *single* *day* of their life, and not want to embark on a journey such as this,” Lemieux said. “Growing up (in New Bedford, MA) I wasn’t blessed to have family in the maritime industry, I was blessed with family that chose other vocations, but they still instilled in me a killer work ethic, a curiosity about the world that’s unquenchable. I have a deep reverence for the field, growing up in New Bedford, and I just wouldn’t quit until I got to try it.”

That opportunity came via SSNA, a co-op of nearly 100 commercial fishermen operating 20 vessels across seven states.

“I’ve been asking around in the industry since 2019, so I suppose my name finally floated to the right people,” Lemieux said. “While bookkeeping one day, a man named Kevin came into the office and I heard from him that the prerequisite certification classes were being paid for by Sea Services (which is phenomenal because the STCW and other courses can be prohibitively expensive).

“From there, I got (SSNA Training Manager) Mike Plis’ number. Some found family in the field, pushed for me, despite me being green. And the rest is history, I suppose. As far as access into the industry, in my experience, they’re unmatched. Again, I tried for years to get my start in maritime work, so being given a chance, is an opportunity I’m deeply grateful for.”

Plis said, “Zara is fully qualified from a certification standpoint. This opportunity on the Hudson has come about and she’s doing fantastically. I know she has aspirations about getting involved with wind boats this winter.”

Despite the eclectic background, Lemieux sees herself in the marine industry down the road, thus making her first foray with SSNA invaluable.

“I’m gearing toward getting on a vessel. It’s been a long-term goal for me and I’m excited to finally be able to learn some new concrete skills,” Lemieux said. “Ultimately, I’ll probably wind up being some sort of hybrid multi-hyphenate. I could see myself running some sort of community center specializing in job training in trades and event production, and community-building efforts such as group therapy, public classes, and other necessary mutual aid endeavors. I want to help people, in every way I can, and so I think diversifying my skillset will do nothing but aid that goal. I know I have a really eclectic background, but in the immortalized words of Chaka Khan: “I’m every woman, It’s all in me.”