The range of things the ten students were exposed to in the two days (not including Storm Denis) was incredible - and in detail too, with a chance to apply it themselves in practice. The whole experience of being on a ship like that from eating in the mess, to working in the dry lab and wet lab was really an experience students could not normally get, plus with 4 science staff and all the crew giving demos of many of the ports and practices they were really lucky to get to learn in such small groups. We found a nice sheltered spot down past Ringaskiddy and parallel with Cobh promenade and worked there in the wind and rain for most of Saturday taking seabed samples, carrying out multi-beam and singhle beam surveys and the only thing the weather stopped us from doing was seeing the ROV in action. Freshly cooked goulash for lunch on Day 1 and shepherds pie Day 2 - can't ask for better than that.
Day two was a much sunnier affair - although had been forecast to be worse. We got to go on deck more often, see the sights and had a good look at naval vessels tied in Haulbowline. Fascinating experience - quite a few of the students looking at that as an option for their work placement now.
