EuroGO-SHIP Success Story - Cross Training on Research Vessels: The Value of Learning New Approaches

On scientific cruises, such as the EuroGO-SHIP 2024 Ocean Climate Cruise, ship-based hydrographic scientists work in concert with the ship’s technicians to ensure the instruments meet the mission’s objectives, adjusting deployment strategies as needed. Troubleshooting and repairing equipment to minimise downtime during the expedition is an important step in the process and onboard training is essential and an invaluable way to improve skills. The role that technicians play in the development of innovation and the adoption of best practices should not be overlooked. Working with different scientific teams and ship crews affords them the opportunity to pick up and refine new techniques and pass them on. Anthony English is a ship’s technician for P&O Maritime Services, who are tendered by the Irish Marine Institute to run the two Irish Research Vessels (RVs): RV Celtic Explorer and RV Tom Crean. As a marine technician, he has a diverse range of responsibilities and performs tasks to ensure the smooth operation of scientific sensors at sea. He is responsible for the ship’s scientific equipment such as the CTD rosette system, and specialised scientific equipment brought onboard the vessel (e.g. lowered Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler – LADCP). To demonstrate the importance of international collaboration and the willingness to adapt in advancing ship based hydrographic measurement, Anthony recounts his first experience receiving onboard training during a 2017 Transatlantic GO-SHIP survey.