Six years after the Naval Service began recruiting women, the first two female officers have graduated - and a female cadet has won first place in her class.

Sub-Lieutenant Orlaith Farrell (24) from Dublin and Sub-Lieutenant Roberta O'Brien (23) from the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary, who hope to become bridge watchkeepers, recently graduated from NUI Galway. The pair completed a general science degree as part of their training, while spending summers and holiday periods on duty at sea.

O'Brien spent last summer on duty on the LE Aoife, which has one of the highest records of fishery detentions, while Farrell served on the LE Deirdre. Both are due to return to sea in the new year, after their watchkeeping exams and gunnery training.

Watchkeeping is one of the most responsible posts on board, in terms of the safety of the ship. Seamanship, navigation, ship handling and "driving the vessel" are the principal duties, according to the Naval Service press officer, Lieutenant-Commander Hugh Tully. "The watchkeeper is in charge, particularly during the silent hours, and has to be able to react to any type of emergency."

The Naval Service is currently short of officers, and is down some 50 bridge watchkeepers, according to figures quoted at November's conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) in Kilkenny. The service is said to be operating at strengths of 50 per cent, and even under that figure in particular branches.

Ensign Marie Gleeson, who enlisted in the Naval Service two years ago, has won this year's Fastnet trophy for the best deck cadet. Ensign Gleeson, who is from Cashel, Co Tipperary, is currently studying for a BSc degree at NUI Galway. She was presented with her trophy on board the LE Roisin in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Sinead Reen from Cork has also qualified as Ireland's first female master mariner.