Ocean
Science
Consulting Limited (OSC) is running a Marine Mammal Observer
(MMO) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) training course,
which has been approved by the New Zealand Department of
Conservation (DOC), as being consistent with standards in the
‘2013 code of conduct for minimising acoustic disturbance to
marine mammals from seismic survey operations’ (the Code). OSC’s
DOC-approved course is the first and currently only combined MMO
and PAM training available in the world for working in NZ
waters. The first course ran successfully in May 2014, and will
be available to candidates again in November 2014, in
preparation for the Antipodean seismic exploration season.
The
Code is regarded as international best practice, particularly
concerning the establishment of observer training and
performance standards. To meet DOC’s requirements, OSC had to
develop the most comprehensive and intensive training course on
the market today. There is a current shortage of trained MMO and
PAM Operators for New Zealand waters, so successful graduates
will therefore have a significant commercial advantage (PAM
Operators in particular). The knowledge, skills and experience
derived from this PAM training will also be applicable
worldwide.
OSC’s
high
quality course involves responsive personal (including
one-to-one) tuition throughout, hands-on experience with
state-of-the-art PAM equipment during classroom theory and
practical sessions, and field practice aboard a custom-designed
environmental survey vessel at sea.
OSC
is a technology-focused marine science company with over a
decade of experience in supplying commercial and scientific MMO
and PAM services to the offshore and other marine-related
industries worldwide (www.osc.co.uk).
Based in Scotland, OSC also has a branch in New Zealand
servicing the Asia-Pacific region (www.osc-nz.co.nz). Our
course instructors are highly experienced and degree-level
qualified scientists, practiced MMOs and PAM Operators, and
authors of the 'Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic
Monitoring Handbook’ (www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.co.uk),
which
forms the manual for the course. Our knowledge and expertise are
second-to-none, so this course is the obvious choice for anyone
wishing to train and prepare as a competent MMO and PAM Operator
to work in the field anywhere in the world (please note
additional local qualifications and experience may be required).
The
next course will be run in Dunbar, East Lothian, UK, for 10 days
from 10–19 November 2014.
All
candidates must have their own equipment, including reticle
binoculars, handheld GPS, ID guide, and a laptop with NZ data
forms, software required for their GPS, and PAMGuard pre-loaded.
To
register for the course, please send your CV to courses@osc.co.uk. The
deadline for applications has been extended to 10 October
2014.
Upon acceptance to the course, a £225GBP non-refundable deposit
towards the £2,250GBP total cost per candidate is required to
secure your position. Course costs do not include accommodation
or food, and candidates are required to make their own travel
arrangements to and from Dunbar. Once payment has been received,
each candidate will receive an author-signed pre-release copy of
the 'Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Handbook’, which must be read prior to attending the course.
Please
note
that this is not simply an ‘attend-and-pass course’. In
accordance with DOC’s requirements, successful candidates must
achieve ‘results of 75% and above’, although we will provide
further reassessment procedures for those initially scoring less
than 75%. This high pass mark is a key selling point for
successful candidates.
We
look forward to seeing you on our course soon.
-- MMO & PAM Course Coordinator OSC Limited Ocean House 4 Brewery Lane Belhaven, Dunbar East Lothian, Scotland EH42 1PD T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 F: +44 (0)1368 865 729 W: www.osc.co.uk