To celebrate IMO #WomenInMaritimeDay, Irish Lights will be sharing insights from some of our colleagues on building career pathways within the maritime industry.

For more info on how IMO is working to support barrier free working environments see @IMOHQ or https://bit.ly/39ySBFa #maritimeindustry #womeninmaritime #safetyatsea

 Melissa Lynch, Navigation Support Officer, Irish Lights

 “I started off my maritime career nearly twenty years ago when I commenced my Nautical Science studies with what was then Cork Institute of Technology.  I qualified as a merchant Navy Deck Officer and spent several years working in seagoing roles across a range of sectoral components including bulk cargo vessels, oil tankers and the Irish Lights vessel Granuaile. A life at sea is certainly different, both challenging and rewarding where you will make the best friendships and encounter some great mentors.

My transition to shore life started when I took on a role as a maritime safety instructor and nautical science lecturer, before heading up commercial training compliance at the NMCI for a number of years. I have since moved on and I am now working with Irish Lights as the Navigation Support Officer. Building our diversity is key to our success throughout maritime industry and blue economy as a whole. Irish Lights fully recognise this in embracing diversity and fostering a culture of positive work life balance, supporting a barrier free working environment for women in maritime.”

Yvonne Shields O’Connor, CEO, Irish Lights

“IMO’s International Day for Women in Maritime gives us the opportunity to celebrate the significant contribution that women in the maritime sector make around the world. It is clear that more must be done collectively to forge pathways and build supports to increase the level of females in this sector. Showcasing the many varied and exciting career opportunities that are on offer within the maritime sector and where women are making a difference every day in a variety of key roles is important.  At Irish Lights we value the contribution of all of our colleagues and look forward to continuing to enhance the diversity of our workforce in the years ahead.”

Captain Catríona Schmegner Tosco, Navigation Services Manager, Irish Lights

Listen to an interview by Capt Catríona Schmegner Tosco, Navigation Services Manager, Irish Lights speaking about her career trajectory, along with Dunmore East Harbourmaster and former colleague at Irish Lights’ Women in Marine Conference. Great insights on career pathways from both women to be heard in an interview by Lorna Siggins for Afloat.ie here: https://bit.ly/3NaEXH6