2026 INFOMAR Masters Module with Maynooth University and SMART Sea School

This year marks the seventh year of teaching the Marine Remote Sensing – INFOMAR Level 9 postgraduate module, delivered in collaboration with the Department of Geography Maynooth. As part of the MSc in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, the module focuses on developing competencies in seafloor mapping and marine data management through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical offshore training.

The course continues to be accredited by both the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, supporting graduates who wish to pursue careers as Chartered Geomatics Surveyors.

Delivered through a partnership between INFOMAR, the SMART Sea School, and Maynooth University, the module provides students with a unique exposure to the full workflow of modern marine surveying, from classroom theory to offshore data acquisition and processing.

Figure 1: Maynooth Class of ’26 on the deck of R.V. Tom Crean

Foundations of Seafloor Mapping and Ocean Science

The classroom component introduces students to the scientific and technological foundations of seabed mapping and marine remote sensing. Lectures delivered by INFOMAR scientists, guest lecturers and industry professionals cover a wide range of topics including:

• Seafloor Mapping
• Ocean Geography and Evolution
• Marine Data Science and Product Development
• Fundamentals of Oceanography
• Seafloor Imaging
• Coastal Change
• Seafloor Sediments and Processes
• Multibeam Technology
• Earth Observation
• Marine Geophysics
• Survey Planning
• Geodesy
• Marine Habitat Mapping
• Seabed Mapping Impacts and the Future of Ocean Science
• Careers in the Ocean Economy

These lectures aim to equip students with a broad understanding of the marine environment and the geospatial technologies used to map and analyse it.

Figure 2: Eoin Mac Craith discussing Geodesy with the class

Guest lectures are an important component of the module, connecting academic learning with real-world applications. Michael Arrigan, Marine Spatial Planning Data and Reporting Coordinator at the Marine Institute, delivered an engaging session exploring how marine data informs national decision making. He had this to say regarding his lecture:

• “Thanks so much for the opportunity to present on marine spatial planning in the module. It was great to connect the dots between data collection and real-world decision making, and to highlight all the important work that happens in between. Really enjoyed the discussion and the engagement!”

   

Technical Tutorials and Data Processing

Complementing the lecture series, tutorial sessions introduce students to practical workflows used in professional hydrographic and geospatial projects.

Students work with multibeam echosounder (MBES) data to understand calibration procedures, error correction and bathymetric surface creation. Using professional-grade software tools provided through an academic licence by QPS, students gain experience processing survey data and visualising the seabed in three dimensions.

Additional tutorials introduce Satellite Derived Bathymetry (SDB) workflows using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, allowing students to explore how remote sensing can support coastal seabed mapping and environmental monitoring.

Figure 3: Student using QPS Seabed Mapping software

Offshore Training at Sea

One of the highlights of the module is the immersive offshore training component delivered by INFOMAR staff and the SMART Sea School aboard the Irish research vessel R.V. Tom Crean operated by the Marine Institute of Galway.

During an immersive two-night offshore expedition, students experience the operational environment of a modern research vessel while participating in practical marine science activities. The vessel’s advanced facilities and laboratories provide a unique platform for learning.

Throughout the expedition students take part in a variety of survey and scientific tasks, including:

• Designing and executing hydrographic survey lines
• Monitoring live multibeam echosounder data acquisition
• Visualising seafloor topography in the vessel’s dry lab
• Acquiring sub-bottom profiler data to interpret sediment layers
• Deploying oceanographic instruments
• Observing remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations
• Participating in benthic sampling activities

Following data acquisition, students return to the data processing workflow to perform quality control, correct errors and generate high-resolution bathymetric products.

Figure 4: Students particiapting in training Activities on R.V. Tom Crean

Bridging the offshore training with Industry Insight

The module also provides students with opportunities to engage with marine professionals and gain insights into career pathways across Ireland’s growing blue economy. On the final day of classroom teaching, we welcomed Evan O’ Mahony from Green Rebel who started off by sharing his career path with the students, from field mapping in Cork to his current position at Green Rebel where his role involves acquiring and analysing the geophysical data required for decision making support for clients. Green Rebel provide expertise across geoscience and metocean projects to ensure their clients have robust and informed information to optimise their engineering and design decisions.

Next, the students heard from James McAteer a Senior Geologist with Gavin Doherty Geosolutions who specialise in offshore engineering and design consultancy. James walked the students through the site selection and constraint mapping process, highlighting how technical potential, environmental considerations, and social constraints are balanced during project planning with data examples from a study planning cable routes offshore California and offshore renewable energy infrastructure planning in Croatia. 

In addition to guest lectures and discussions with the INFOMAR team, students explore the role of seabed mapping in offshore renewable energy development, environmental assessment and marine spatial planning. These discussions highlight the practical importance of marine data in supporting sustainable development across Ireland’s maritime sector.

Sarah Sheehan – MSc Student, Maynooth University

• “At the end of the training, we presented scenarios of site suitability procedures for siting an offshore wind farm in SE Ireland, which allowed us to work as teams to further apply the knowledge we had obtained throughout the weekend…Overall the experience was incredible and allowed me to expand my knowledge in an area I hold great interest in.”

   

Strengthening Ireland’s Ocean Economy

Ireland’s ocean economy continues to expand, reflecting the growing importance of marine industries to the national economy. According to the latest Ireland’s Ocean Economy Report produced by the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU) and the Marine Institute, Ireland’s marine sector generated €8.39 billion in turnover in 2024, contributing €3.53 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supporting over 49,000 direct jobs. When wider indirect impacts are included, the ocean economy contributes approximately €17.35 billion to the Irish economy and supports more than 109,000 jobs, representing around 2% of Ireland’s modified Gross National Income. 

Marine industries span a diverse range of sectors including shipping, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, advanced marine technology and offshore renewable energy. As these industries grow, the demand for skilled professionals in marine geospatial analysis, hydrographic surveying and marine data science continues to increase. By providing training in the latest seabed mapping technologies and data analytical skills, the INFOMAR module is critical to providing our graduate students with the expertise necessary to contribute to Ireland’s evolving marine sector.

Figure 5: MSc. Students about to Embark on R.V. Tom Crean

University, Student and Graduate Perspectives

The enthusiastic feedback from students shared on social media continues to highlight the unique value of combining academic learning with practical offshore experience. The Department of Geography at Maynooth University emphasised the importance of this collaboration in preparing students for marine careers.

Department of Geography at Maynooth University - LinkedIn

• “The INFOMAR Seabed Mapping and Smart Sea School collaboration and immersive offshore training is a highlight in the programme for our #TaughtMasters MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing.”

Bukhosi Ndlovu – MSc Student, Maynooth University

• “INFOMAR Seabed Mapping Thank you ! I am really grateful for the experience and the support from the team… Growing up in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country, I never imagined that one day I would be deploying oceanographic instruments in the Atlantic. Last weekend, as part of my MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing at Maynooth University, I had the opportunity to complete a two-day offshore training with INFOMAR Seabed Mapping SMART Sea School on board the RV Tom Crean, sailing from the Port of Cork.…This experience reinforced how my MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing is equipping me with skills that span both land and sea surveys. The geospatial profession is truly multidimensional, and I am excited to continue applying these skills in my future career.”

Graduate geologists who participated in the February 2026 training aboard the R.V. Tom Crean also reflected on the experience.

Kate Corry – Graduate Geologist, Geological Survey Ireland

• “My experience aboard the Tom Crean was amazing! Getting an introduction to life on-board a research vessel was very interesting and gave me an idea as to whether I want to pursue a career in the field. All the crew were so welcoming, kind and patient and made the learning environment very supportive. Getting the opportunity to operate some of the equipment gave us the chance to actively apply the knowledge we learned in the lectures. On top of all this, the food was amazing quality and such a highlight to the days! All in all, it was a great experience that anyone who has the chance to do should attend.”

Sarah Emmo – Graduate Geologist, Geological Survey Ireland

• “It was an incredible opportunity to spend time aboard the RV Tom Crean where we had the chance to put the knowledge we learnt in the INFOMAR module into real life settings. Each day was well structured, allowing us to gain hands on experience with a wide range of equipment and develop practical skills in seabed mapping. The crew were also very encouraging and helpful. It was an invaluable experience and I highly recommend it!”

   

Continuing to Develop Ireland’s Marine Expertise

The reflections shared highlight the value of combining classroom learning with hands-on offshore experience. The training provides students with a direct insight into how marine data supports real-world decision making across a wide range of marine activities. As Ireland continues to advance initiatives such as marine spatial planning, offshore renewable energy and ocean observation, programmes like this play an important role in connecting academic training with the practical skills required at sea. Through this valuable partnership between INFOMAR, Maynooth University and the SMART Sea School, students gain unparalleled experience with the technologies and workflows that underpin Ireland’s expanding marine sector.

INFOMAR extends its thanks to the staff and students of Maynooth University, the SMART Sea School, research vessel operations at the Marine Institute and the crew of the R.V. Tom Crean for their continued support in delivering this offshore training experience.

INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource) is funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) and jointly managed by Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute.