Meet Courtenay: From Superyachts to Building Strong Marine Teams

Long before Courtenay began helping build marine teams, she had seen firsthand what capable people can achieve at sea.

From working aboard a 91-metre superyacht with a worldwide itinerary to progressing from Dive Master to Mate on the Great Barrier Reef, Courtenay’s career has been shaped by marine operations, safety, teamwork and adventure. Add to that a Bachelor of Commerce and extensive experience in HR, recruitment and safety within Australia’s mining industry, and she brings a valuable combination of practical marine knowledge and people capability to Commercial Marine Group.

As CMG continues to grow, attracting the right people, developing strong teams and supporting a safe, capable workforce will remain central to the company’s ability to deliver complex marine projects.

We caught up with CMG’s Business Support & Office Coordinator, Courtenay Leighton, to learn more about her life on the water, her international yachting career and the experience she brings to the CMG team.

Where did your connection with the ocean begin?

I was born and bred in Western Australia, so the ocean has always been a big part of my life.

Growing up, we would take trips to Rotto and Dunsborough. When you spend so much time around places like that, it is hard not to develop a deep love and appreciation for the ocean.

That passion has followed me throughout my life and ultimately shaped the direction of my career.

How did that passion become a career?

My professional marine journey began in the international yachting industry, where I joined a 91-metre superyacht as a junior deckhand.

The yacht was based in Barcelona and followed a worldwide itinerary that took us to some incredible destinations, including the Seychelles, Sicily, Venice, the Greek Islands and Oman.

It was an amazing opportunity, but it was also a demanding working environment. Life aboard a superyacht requires professionalism, teamwork, attention to detail and a strong commitment to safety and service. Everyone has a role to play, and the standard expected across the crew is incredibly high.

What led you into professional diving?

After working in yachting, I travelled to the Gili Islands in Indonesia to complete my Dive Master training.

From there, I joined a liveaboard dive vessel operating out of Cairns. We completed weekly trips through the Great Barrier Reef and out to Osprey Reef, giving guests the opportunity to experience some of Australia’s most remarkable marine environments.

I worked my way up to Mate aboard the vessel before returning to the superyacht industry as a Bosun on a yacht cruising Australian waters.

Those roles gave me experience across vessel operations, diving, crew coordination, marine safety and customer service. They also reinforced how important capable people and clear communication are when you are working in dynamic marine environments.

How did you make the transition into HR, recruitment and safety?

Between my hands-on marine roles, I completed a Bachelor of Commerce and began building a career in HR, recruitment and safety.

I went on to work with some of Australia’s largest mining companies. While mining and marine construction are different industries, both rely on competent people, strong safety systems and teams that can perform in operationally demanding environments.

My marine experience gave me a practical understanding of working in the field, while my corporate experience developed my capabilities across recruitment, workforce support, training and safety.

It has been incredibly rewarding to bring those two sides of my career together.

 What do you enjoy most about working with people?

I enjoy helping people find opportunities where they can contribute, develop and be part of a strong team.

Recruitment is about more than filling a position. In specialised industries, you need to understand the work, the environment and the type of person who will succeed within a team.

My operational experience helps me appreciate what is required from people working aboard vessels, underwater and across remote or safety-critical projects. My HR and recruitment experience allows me to support those people throughout their broader employment journey.

What does life look like away from work?

My number one job is being a mum to my five-year-old son, who already shares my passion for the ocean.

We now call Caloundra home and spend as much time outdoors as possible. We love surfing, being near the water and making the most of the Queensland lifestyle.

It is special to see that same appreciation for the ocean developing in him.

What are you looking forward to at CMG?

I look forward to combining my personal connection to the marine industry with my professional experience in HR, recruitment, and safety.

CMG operates in a specialised field where the strength of its people is fundamental to every project’s success. I am excited to contribute to the team and support the company as it continues to grow.

The marine industry has already taken me around the world and given me an incredibly varied career. I am looking forward to seeing where this next challenge leads.

Experience That Strengthens the Team

Courtenay brings more than an understanding of recruitment and workforce support. She understands the environments CMG’s people work in because she has built her own career on the water.

Her combination of marine operations, diving, vessel experience, safety, training and HR adds another layer of capability to the CMG team. As the company expands its project portfolio and workforce, Courtenay will help ensure the people behind the work are supported, capable and ready to deliver.

Welcome to the team, Courtenay.