Marie Gleeson

They won't take me.

Like Dairy Farmer's daughter, no maritime experience.

So like when we got through all the stage gates and the letter came

And my parents and myself sat down and it was like the Navy.

I was like, I asked my mum, would you ring competition section to see if they made a mistake?

So that's how off course I was.

But I think when I went to the boot camp then, like the boot camp is, you know, that really intense military, like physical, but you're being pushed and challenged.

I loved it.

Like I loved being up in the Curragh.

So I kind of felt like if I excelled in the Curragh, they would realise the mistake and they might keep me.

And then obviously I did great, but they couldn't keep me.

So then I ended up back down in the base learning about navigation, spherical trigonometry, all these crazy subjects.

But actually getting out onto a ship for the first time, first of all, I don't get seasick, which is hugely beneficial when you're in a career that's maritime based.

Well, yes, I can imagine that that's bottom line, you know.

Yeah, but I really loved being at sea, like from the get go.

You know, once I got used to the kind of circumstances and, you know, the intensity of the engine room or

You know, being up on deck, learning about boats and how to launch and drive small boats, starting to learn about navigation.

But actually, for me, it's crazy when you think about it.

But like, I actually really loved the sea.

I love the expanse of the ocean.