Master mariners, meteorologists and marine biologists are some of the professions held by about 160 women working in the Irish maritime sector.
Two mariners, Capt Caitríona Dowling and Capt Deirdre Lane know what it is like to pursue a career in the merchant marine, having met as teenagers on the former sail training ship Asgard II.
Capt Lane is currently harbourmaster in Dunmore East, Co Waterford – a part of the coast she comes from originally.
Capt Dowling latterly worked as harbourmaster in Warrenpoint, Co Down, before being appointed navigation services manager with the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL).
Capt Catriona Dowling, former harbourmaster and now Irish Lights navigation services manager
The two women were among a number of speakers and participants at last year's conference on empowering women in the marine, held at CIL headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
The conference, the first of its type, was hosted by CIL chief executive Yvonne Shields O'Connor to mark world maritime day 2019.
Capt Dowling and Capt Lane spoke to Lorna Siggins for RTÉ Radio Seascapes, and for Wavelengths, the new weekly podcast on news and views from the Irish coast for Afloat.
