Third Level Students involved in the Science@Sea training onboard the RV Celtic Voyager.  Photo Courtesy of VTOS Galway

Twelve students attending third-level institutes across Ireland, experienced life as a marine scientist onboard the national Research Vessel Celtic Voyager in Cork harbour over the weekend (18 – 19 April 2009) as part of the Marine Institute’s Science@Sea two-day training programme.   

Dr. Pauhla McGrane who is responsible for co-ordinating the Marine Institute’s Integrated Marine Exploration Programme explains "third level students are given an opportunity to work with experienced marine scientists getting practical hands on experience as part of the Science@Sea training.  After an intense day of training in safety procedures, sampling techniques, equipment deployment and data collection, students are then assigned the task of designing and planning their own survey at sea”.  

Dr McGrane further adds “Science@Sea ship-based training is a unique experience for all students who are planning a career in marine sciences.  This is the fourth undergraduate programme to be run this year in which up to two hundred students have applied for a training position onboard the RV Celtic Voyager.  The onboard experience provides students with an insight into the different career paths available in marine science and also gives those applying for higher degrees both in Ireland and abroad a competitive edge”.   

Funded by the government’s national Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation with contributing funds from the Higher Education Authority the two-day practical ship-based Science@Sea programme is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology. Students also receive a certificate on completion of the training. Further information on programmes run by the Marine Institute’s  Integrated Marine Exploration Programme are available at www.marine.ie.  

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