A New Portrait Celebrates Women in the Maritime Industry: Here’s Why It’s a Landmark Moment for Hull

When you picture a pilot guiding a massive ship through choppy waters, what comes to mind? For many, it's an image straight out of an old film – probably a grizzled sea dog with a beard. But a powerful new portrait,unveiled in January 2026, is set to find its home in the Hull Maritime Museum, and it’s turning that old stereotype on its head. This new piece of art celebrates the vital role of women in the maritime industry, focusing on a real-life hero of the Humber estuary. It's a story about art, heritage, and the changing face of a truly British industry.

A fresh face for a historic industry

The star of this new portrait is Karolina Jabrzyk, and she has a pretty cool job. She's a Humber Pilot 1st Class for Associated British Ports (ABP) Humber. What does that mean? Well, the Humber estuary is one of the trickiest waterways in the world to navigate. So, when a huge container ship or tanker needs to get into one of the Humber ports, a super-skilled expert has to go out, climb aboard, and take control to guide it safely. That expert is a pilot, and Karolina is one of the best. It’s a job that takes immense skill, courage, and knowledge of every current and sandbank.

This striking work of art was created by the acclaimed artist Ruth Fitton, who has strong Yorkshire roots and has exhibited her work all over the world. To create the piece, Ruth spent time with Karolina, getting to know her through sittings, photos, and sketches to capture not just what she looks like, but who she is. This portrait is more than just a painting; it’s a celebration of the skill and determination of women in the maritime industry. The final piece of art is ready to take its place in the museum, honouring the modern face of the city's maritime heritage.

Artist Ruth Fitton said:

"The depiction of women in contemporary art is a subject very close to my heart. It has been a delight to work with Karolina, getting to know her determination, skill and courage in her role as a Pilot on the Humber. It has been a pleasure to create this portrait for the permanent collection at Hull Maritime Museum."

For Karolina herself, the experience was a huge honour.

"It’s a tremendous honour to have my portrait painted for the Hull Maritime Museum."

"Ruth Fitton has captured not just my likeness, but the spirit of a profession that’s deeply rooted in the Humber’s maritime heritage. I hope this exhibition inspires others to explore the rich history of our region and the vital role marine pilots continue to play in keeping our ports safe and thriving."

More than just a painting

So, why commission this specific portrait? The Hull Maritime project, which is behind the museum's massive refurbishment, has a clear goal: to make sure its collection tells everyone's story. For a long time, the maritime world was seen as a man's world, and museum collections often reflected that. This project, funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is actively working to change that narrative by highlighting the essential contributions of women.

This portrait of Karolina is a perfect example. It shines a light on the modern, diverse reality of the maritime industry today. It's a way of saying that the city's heritage isn't just something in the past; it's a living, breathing thing that continues to evolve. The inclusion of this portrait is a deliberate choice to better represent the women in this field, showing young girls and boys that a career on the water is for anyone with the right skills and passion. The role of women has been significant, and now it is being rightfully celebrated in this fantastic museum.

Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, commented on the new addition:

"This portrait is a powerful tribute to the women shaping the maritime industry today. It reflects Hull’s proud maritime heritage while also looking forward, recognising the diverse individuals who continue to drive it forward. We are proud to include this important new addition to the Maritime Museum’s collection."

The bigger picture for Hull and the Humber

This initiative also highlights the strong partnership between the city's culture and its powerful economy. Associated British Ports (ABP) Humber isn't just Karolina’s employer; they are a major corporate partner of the Hull Maritime project. It makes perfect sense. The Humber ports—Hull, Goole, Grimsby, and Immingham—are the busiest trading gateway in the entire UK. The work that people like Karolina do is central to the British economy.

Just look at the numbers. The work of ABP Humber and its four ports is massive.

• They handle around 47 million tonnes of cargo every year.

• That cargo is worth an estimated £80 billion.

• The ports support about 90,000 jobs across the region.

• They contribute a huge £6.4 billion to the UK economy.

This shows that the maritime industry is not just a piece of history for a museum, but a powerhouse of the modern economy. Andrew Dawes, Regional Director for the Humber ports, sees the portrait as an inspiring milestone. He said:

"Karolina’s portrait being featured in the Hull Maritime Museum is a proud moment for all of us. It’s a powerful recognition of her achievements as a marine pilot and a celebration of the vital role women continue to play in shaping the maritime industry. Seeing her represented in this way is not only inspiring - it’s a milestone that will encourage future generations to pursue careers on the water."

Hull's time to shine

The portrait of Karolina will be one of the first things visitors see when the Hull Maritime Museum reopens in the summer of 2026 after its major refurbishment. The entire project is transforming Hull's city centre, linking the museum to other key sites and restoring historic ships like the Arctic Corsair. It's all part of a plan to celebrate and protect the city's incredible 800-year maritime heritage.

And the world is starting to take notice. National Geographic recently named Hull one of the Top 25 global destinations to visit in 2026. That puts the city on the same list as places like Milan, Vancouver, and Rio de Janeiro. It’s a huge nod to Hull's unique character and its incredible maritime story. This portrait, a beautiful piece of art celebrating a modern woman in an ancient industry, is a perfect symbol of a city that respects its past while confidently sailing into the future. It stands for the women in the industry, the city of Hull, and the enduring importance of Britain's maritime connection to the world.