he Marine Institute recently held an open day on board the national Research Vessel Celtic Explorer for schools from all over Galway city and county at Galway docks.

Over 280 students and their teachers enjoyed a tour of the vessel where they met the Captain and crew on the bridge and a number of marine scientists demonstrating everything from how Ireland’s seabed territory is mapped to techniques for identifying and aging fish.

The students were also shown the mechanics of the Remotely Operated Vehicle Holland 1 and footage taken during a survey of cold water corals off the Porcupine Bank.