After he left Sullivan, David studied Environmental Science at University of Ulster at Coleraine, then a Masters in Marine Resource Development and Protection, with the Institute of Offshore Engineering, at Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

“From there I worked in a small environmental consultancy in the Shetland Isles and started my career in commercial diving. After three years of very cold water, with diminishing career opportunities and having made many great Kiwi and Aussie friends who worked in the pubs up in Lerwick, I decided to travel.”

David spent three years ‘roaming’ New Zealand, most of Australia and a few other countries before returning home to take up a job with a major Salmon Farm in Donegal as their Fish Health Technician.

After three years in Donegal, David and his new wife decided to move down under.

“We ended up working in Port Stephens in New South Wales, Australia - I worked for a new fish farm enterprise. Following our noses and looking for better job prospects we visited Tasmania for job interviews and fell in love with the place. I have been living in south Tasmania ever since.”

For the past 12 years David has worked for the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies in Hobart.

Downtown Hobart

The Institute is a leading marine research institute providing technical support, mainly diving and skippering and David is a Boating Officer. His work involves managing the Institute’s coastal fleet and having oversight of the safe vessel operations on board including external vessels.

The dolphins are a regular spot out on the water for David

“I still love Ireland and can't wait to be able to travel back to Europe again but feel very lucky to have found this beautiful island to call home.

My career has had twists and turns but it has taken me to some beautiful places and allowed me to work in or on the sea, a place I feel most at peace”.

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