As part of our 30 Under 30 initiative, we’re celebrating the next generation of leaders shaping the future of the maritime industry. Next up is Austin Hymel, Chief Mate at Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, and a standout young seafarer whose rapid progression, adaptability, and operational experience have set him apart.

Austin’s career at sea has already taken him across an impressive range of vessels and operations. From Articulated Tug and Barge units transporting refined products through New York Harbor to Offshore Supply Vessels supporting drilling platforms and dredges maintaining navigable waterways, he has built experience across very different areas of commercial maritime operations.

What makes his journey particularly impressive is how quickly he progressed. After graduating from Texas A&M Maritime Academy, Austin was promoted to Chief Mate with just two and a half years of sailing experience. At 25, he became the youngest Chief Mate operating in New York Harbor, a position he has held for the past four years.

New York Harbor is an exceptionally demanding environment, requiring strong navigational judgement, situational awareness, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. As Chief Mate, Austin’s responsibility extends beyond navigation to managing crew, maintaining safety standards, and ensuring the expectations of multiple stakeholders are met.

More recently, Austin has taken that experience into a new area of the industry with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. Within his first few months, he stepped aboard five different vessels as Chief Mate, filling critical gaps where other qualified mariners were unavailable. Moving between unfamiliar vessels at that pace required him to quickly understand different systems, crews, and operating requirements while maintaining the same high standards of safety and leadership.

That willingness to step into unfamiliar situations has become a defining feature of Austin’s career. Rather than remaining within one vessel type or operation, he has continually adapted his skills to new environments and taken on significant responsibility wherever it has been needed.

At just 29, Austin has already developed a breadth of seagoing experience that is unusual at his career stage. His rapid progression, proven leadership, and ability to adapt confidently across different vessel types make him a standout example of the next generation of maritime professionals choosing to build their careers at sea.

Take a look at our full 30 here.