Marie Gleeson

So how come nobody stepped in?

We were trained to step in.

And then also, like our ship would have been at sea the year before that.

And when I say I mean the LAIFA.

Yes.

Like I was a female captain.

I had a female navigation officer, a female engineer, which was very unusual.

That was not, you know, a stunt.

It was just the way our postings had happened.

And the systems on our ship were, you know, implemented fully, which meant that, you know, we had a zero tolerance on board for any kind of misconduct.

So I think I was just so devastated for the people, but also really upset that the systems didn't work.

Yeah.

And that comes down to people, you know, and that's why...

You know, it's a risk to come out and say that I absolutely think this is a great career and to say that I would be delighted if my daughters went in because some people do feel it's not a safe place for women.

But the way I look at it is the more women we get in there into the defence forces, then the systems will be implemented properly and therefore you create better environments for men and women.

And I think that's really, really important.

So like the sea is a fantastic career, you know, I believe.

And that's a dairy farmer's daughter from Tipperary.

Like, but it just it teaches you so much about life and people and, you know, how to deal with people and how to navigate all these peaks and troughs in your life and navigate really difficult times as well.

My eldest girl is very like me, but I don't know.