Ireland's
marine territory is an area ten times the size of Ireland. To raise awareness
of the value of this vast marine resource the Marine Institute invited the public
to visit the 'Celtic Explorer', Ireland's national research vessel at Sir John
Rogerson's Quay on her first visit to Dublin as part of the St Patrik's Festival
celebrations.Guided tours included a visit to the bridge to meet the captain and the seabed survey team in the dry lab and visit the wet lab, where a range of fish from Irish waters were on display. Visitors learned about the work that is carried out on board this advanced floating laboratory, from fish stock assessments to environmental monitoring and mapping Ireland's seabed.
A
careers' clinic was held on board the vessel by Marine Institute staff and the
crew to discuss opportunities available to people wishing to pursue a career
in marine science or a career at sea.Each year the Institute takes up to 45 third-level students, who gain practical experience in areas as diverse as environment, oceanography, data management, fisheries science and administration.
The 'Celtic Explorer' is Ireland's first multi-purpose deep-sea research vessel and was commissioned last April in her home port, Galway. She can stay at sea for up to 45 days accommodating 31 crew and scientists.
Onboard
systems allow information to be collected and processed at sea and quickly relayed
back to scientists, government and industry groups to inform management decisions
on the sustainable development of the marine resource.With the capability of exploring Ireland's entire continental shelf and beyond, the Celtic Explorer aims to unlock the secrets of the sea and its untapped economic potential. (For further information see www.marine.ie).