Charting a new course

THIS MONTH marks the 16th anniversary of women in the Irish Naval Service.

Although the rules changed in 1994, it was another year before the first successful candidates came ‘on board’. Females now make up 7% of the current staff of 1,009 and their duties include everything from charting courses across the Atlantic to boarding fishing vessels, and fixing machinery in the engine room.

The LE Eithne stood tall and proud in Cobh when we joined her on a sunny day recently. The water was calm as the sailors prepared to set sail and, quite literally, show us ‘civvies’ the ropes.