All Aboard the Tom Crean: Offshore Wind Geoscience Training Sets Sail This December

03 November 2025

Starting this December and running into 2026, the Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy is offering a unique opportunity for professionals to upskill in offshore geoscience—with a twist. The Offshore Environmental Geology course doesn’t just take place in a classroom or online - it takes you to sea.

Participants will spend time aboard the RV Tom Crean, Ireland’s state-of-the-art marine research vessel operated by the Marine Institute. This is a rare chance to experience firsthand how geological and geophysical data is collected and interpreted in offshore environments - skills that are critical to the planning and development of offshore wind farms.

What makes this course different?
Unlike traditional training, this course blends theory with immersive, real-world experience. Through the SMART programme, participants will spend two days of ship-based practical training in Cork, an all-weather port. With a focused group of 10 learners, participants will gain hands-on experience collecting and interpreting key datasets including:

• Multibeam echosounder
• Sub-bottom profiler
• ROV video
• Sediment and biological samples
• ADCP profiling
  

Training is delivered through a real-world scenario: determining the optimal route for a subsea cable for a wind farm. On Day 1, participants become familiar with ship operations and data collection protocols. On Day 2, they take the lead—designing, executing, and interpreting their own survey. It’s a rare opportunity to apply geoscience skills in a live offshore wind context.

Why this matters for your team
As Ireland accelerates toward its 2030 offshore wind targets, the demand for skilled professionals who understand the marine environment is growing rapidly. This course equips your employees with practical, industry-relevant skills that can be applied immediately to offshore wind projects.

Who should attend?
This course is ideal for:

• Professionals with backgrounds in Geography/Geology/ Geophysics, Engineering, Data Analytics
• Those in the Onshore sector seeking to transition to the Offshore sector
• Project managers and engineers new to offshore wind
• Environmental consultants and marine scientists
• Anyone working in planning, consenting, or site assessment roles

Subsidised training for private sector employers

With Skillnet Ireland funding available, this course is available at a significantly reduced cost for eligible private sector employees of €600. It’s a smart investment in your team’s capabilities and in Ireland’s clean energy future. For those not eligible, the course price is €1,000.

Register here!