10 June 2025
When shooting this video for The Power of Tomorrow campaign we’ve had the privilege of documenting the journey of one remarkable man — Seán, a lifelong fisherman who’s found a new purpose in Ireland’s offshore wind revolution. His story is one of deep respect for a community, a way of life and a future full of promise.
Seán’s connection to the sea runs deeper than most. "I was two when I first stepped on a boat," he tells us, recalling long summer days hauling pots by hand along the coast of Castlegregory. From that moment, fishing was more than work — it was heritage, adventure and identity. “It’s all I ever wanted to do,” he says.
He speaks of the Maharees, Castlegregory and Ballycotton not just as locations but as homes, where fishermen stick together and look after one another. A close-knit coastal village, Seán’s home is built around saltwater, hard work and mutual respect. “They’re all really good people,” he says. “When things get hard, they look out for each other.”
But the tide has been changing for Ireland’s fishing communities. Rising fuel costs, tough quotas, global competition and environmental pressures have made fishing harder than ever. “It’s getting more difficult to make a living,” Seán admits, his voice tinged with the weight of years spent braving the Atlantic’s raw power.
Turning Toward the Wind
Still, there’s no bitterness in Seán’s tone — just a quiet pride and a sense that things could be different, that fishermen deserve better support and new opportunities. And that's exactly what he’s found in the offshore wind industry.
Today, Seán is a field technician with Green Rebel, an Irish-owned offshore services company. He works on vessels surveying the seabed, deploying floating LiDAR systems and servicing metocean buoys that collect vital wind and atmospheric data. The transition from fishing to offshore energy wasn’t a leap — it was more like a sidestep.
“Being on a vessel is just natural,” he says. “If I’m told I’m going to Scotland tomorrow, my bag’s packed before the call ends. I just love it.”
Seán's seafaring skills translated seamlessly. From handling ropes and reading weather to navigating unpredictable seas, everything he learned as a fisherman now powers his new role. “I bring awareness,” he explains. “I know where to stand, how to move, when to speak up. That stuff matters on a working deck.”
He walks us through his typical day — boarding boats with his team, navigating five to twelve hours offshore to check equipment, tying onto buoys with precision, and downloading terabytes of data. “It’s good work. I love it. And I sleep well every night.”
Seán now enjoys a steady income, healthcare, and time with his wife and kids. “It changed my life,” he says. “Better relationships. Better health. No regrets.”
A Vision for the Future
Seán sees a future not just for himself, but for his children — and for his fellow fishermen. “The future is green,” he says. “Green Rebel is creating jobs where you use your sea skills. It’s fantastic. I think there’s work here for the next generation — if they’re given the chance.”
What stands out in Seán’s story is his unwavering belief in the fishing community. He doesn’t want to see it vanish. He wants to see it evolve. “The tradition is fading,” he says, “that’s hard. But I believe fishermen can find new roles. They have so much to offer.”
He talks passionately about how many more fish, lobsters and crabs he sees gathering around seabed frames and survey structures. “These installations can become sanctuaries,” he says. “We saw different fish, lobsters, crabs, all attracted to our buoy structure after a few months. Imagine what a full wind farm could do for marine life.”
For Seán, this isn’t hypothetical. It’s real, visible, and happening now. It gives him hope that fishing and offshore wind can coexist. Not as competitors, but as partners, the friends he has who are still fishing today will benefit from growing fish populations.
“I think fishing and wind can be a good combination,” he says. “Fishermen know the sea. They can work as crew, as marine observers, as field techs. And still fish. They can still do what they love. There’s opportunity in both.”
Building Skills, Building Trust
Training helped Seán make the shift — from first aid and fire safety to marine mammal observing and sea survival. “It opens doors,” he says.
He’s not alone in this journey. Seán proudly names his colleagues — some with years at sea, others from pubs, garages, and landscaping. “It’s diverse,” he says. “Everyone brings something. And it works.”
Working with people like John Wallace — a veteran of the industry, has helped shape his path. “The knowledge he shares is priceless,” Seán says. “You ask a question, he has the answer. He’s building something here.”
Looking ahead, Seán imagines a new chapter for Ireland. One powered by clean energy and supported by the people who’ve always worked the sea. “We live on an island,” he says. “There’s so much potential.”
He hopes future generations will look back with pride, seeing that those who came before built something good.
“I want my kids to grow up knowing we made it better. That they’ve got clean energy, meaningful work, and a healthy sea.”
A New Kind of Pride
When I asked Seán if he misses fishing, he paused. “The memories are great,” he said. “The dolphins, the storms, the feeling of being alive. But now, I go to work happy. I come home happy. That means a lot.”
And that, to me, is what The Power Tomorrow is really about. Not just about powering homes or hitting climate targets, but about people. About dignity. About communities that adapt without losing who they are.
Seán’s journey is proof that the skills of the past can build the future. That a fisherman can guide the ropes of a greener tomorrow.
Give it a chance, Seán says. And from what I’ve seen behind the lens, it’s a chance worth taking.
