North Star Port

"I got exposed to ships all summer long, and I went home and told my parents that was what I wanted to do," said Ellora, who grad- uated from Duluth East High School in 2009. She tried traditional college, enrolling at Northern Michigan University, but one year later, she changed course and applied to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) in Traverse City, Michigan. GLMA admits roughly 60 new cadets each fall. Ellora recalls being one of just seven women in her class—a small, but tightknit group. The program was exciting and included multiple semester- long sea projects. Hers were aboard the GLMA's training vessel State of Michigan, the oceangoing container ship Horizon Navigator and the self- unloading bulk carriers Great Republic and Philip R. Clarke, both of the Key Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet. Ellora graduated from GLMA in spring 2015 with an unlimited tonnage third mate license, Great Lakes pilotage certification, two bachelor's degrees from partnering Ferris State University and Northwestern Michigan College, and plans for a lengthy career in maritime. She met her future husband, the older brother of a classmate and a GLMA alum, in her last semester. Over the next five years, Ellora worked on two Great Lakes Fleet vessels, the Roger Blough and the Edwin H. Gott, primarily as third mate but occasionally as second and first mate. She and Marcus married in 2016. He also worked as an officer for the Great Lakes Fleet, sailing as a third engineer. They served on different vessels and enjoyed the limited time they could spend together. "We would get in the zone and try not to think about how long we'd be away from each other and family and friends," said Ellora, recalling long months at sea. "The first few days are the hardest, but then days roll together and you stay busy and focus on work." Ellora frequently was the only female on board, a situation that presents unique challenges. A ship is not just a workplace, it's also a home, where crewmates eat together, do laundry together, and live in close quarters. "I had to maintain very clear boundaries. I had friends on board, and I talked to them, but I wouldn't get into personal business," Ellora said. "It is probably easier for guys on a ship because they can hang out and watch a football game in each other's room, whereas I didn't feel comfortable doing that." Despite working in a male-dominated industry, Ellora was wel- comed and treated with respect. Her hunger to learn and willing- ness to roll up her sleeves and do any job helped her move up the ranks as mate. She was advancing toward captain's status when she and Marcus decided to leave the shipping life. "I was learning different docking and ship-handling proce- dures and knew I was being groomed for higher positions," Ellora said. "That made us take a long, hard look at what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. It takes a lot of time and effort to train a captain, and I was so appreciative, but I didn't want to mis- lead anyone or take advantage of their time. When another job opportunity came up, we realized we wanted to spend more time together and raise a family." They moved to the Southeast, eventually settling in Beaufort, South Carolina, where Marcus launched a window and door company with his brother and father. Ellora stays home with the kids and is homeschooling their oldest son. "When I graduated, I thought I was going to be single and work on ships for the rest of my life. I wasn't planning to meet my future husband my senior year, but the Lord had other plans," said Ellora. "I loved working in the maritime industry, but I love my husband and children more. Pivoting is not bad. We feel very blessed." 10 | NORTH STAR PORT | SPRING 2026 ELLORA MARTIN WATCHED SHIPS SAIL THROUGH HER HOME HARBOR AS A CHILD, THEN SAILED ON THEM HERSELF AS A CREWMEMBER AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE GREAT LAKES MARITIME ACADEMY. Ellora Martin CONTINUED

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