above board newsletter dec 2011

16
Above Board ISSUE 1 DECEMBER 2011 A BI-ANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE Bright futures THE AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE IS AN INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA T he Australian Marime College is ready and willing to play its role in driving the recently announced naonal marime reform agenda. Captain John Lloyd, Director of the Naonal Centre for Ports and Shipping at AMC said that these were excing mes in the marime industry. “We are on the cusp of a really excing naonal agenda for marime reform and AMC, with its resources, assets and staff, is ideally placed to deliver on that,’’ Capt. Lloyd said. Earlier this year, the Federal Government proposed one of the most comprehensive packages of marime reform in Australia’s history. The policy, Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Economy, comprises four key elements: tax incenves to encourage investment in the Australian shipping industry; a strengthened and simplified regulatory framework for access to the Australian coastal trade; establishment of an Australian Internaonal Shipping Register (AISR); and the establishment of a Marime Workforce Development Forum. On the brink of a new maritime horizon “Ships are cool” according to AMC student Kirsteen Roberts. Read more about Kirsteen and other AMC students and alumni inside. Naonal Centre for Ports and Shipping Director John Lloyd (leſt), with the Director of the Naonal Centre for Marine Conservaon and Resource Sustainability John Purser and Director of the Naonal Centre for Marime Engineering and Hydrodynamics Neil Bose. Fair winds and following seas Logiscs exchange benefits Propelling towards the future ALUMNI IN FOCUS PAGE 4 PAGE 11 PAGE 3 PAGE 13 www.amc.edu.au

Upload: australian-maritime-college

Post on 14-Feb-2016

228 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

The Australian Maritime College's bi-annual newsletter publication.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

Above BoardISSUE 1 DECEMBER 2011 A BI-ANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE

Bright futures

THE AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE IS AN INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF TASMANIA

The Australian Maritime College is ready and willing to play its role in driving the recently announced national maritime reform agenda.

Captain John Lloyd, Director of the National Centre for Ports and Shipping at AMC said that these were exciting times in the maritime industry.

“We are on the cusp of a really exciting national agenda for maritime reform and AMC, with its resources, assets and staff, is ideally placed to deliver on that,’’ Capt. Lloyd said.

Earlier this year, the Federal Government proposed one of the most comprehensive packages of maritime reform in Australia’s history. The policy, Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Economy, comprises four key elements: tax incentives to encourage investment in the Australian shipping industry; a strengthened and simplified regulatory framework for access to the Australian coastal trade; establishment of an Australian International Shipping Register (AISR); and the establishment of a Maritime Workforce Development Forum.

On the brink of a new maritime horizon

“Ships are cool” according to AMC student Kirsteen Roberts.Read more about Kirsteen and other AMC students and alumni inside.

National Centre for Ports and Shipping Director John Lloyd (left), with the Director of the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability John Purser and Director of the National Centre for Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics Neil Bose.

Fair winds and following

seas

Logistics exchange

benefits

Propelling towards the future

ALUMNIIN FOCUS

PAGE 4 PAGE 11 PAGE 3 PAGE 13

www.amc.edu.au

Page 2: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

WELCOMEWe do hope you will enjoy this first issue of Above Board – our new bi-annual corporate newsletter.

It has been designed to keep stakeholders and friends up-to-date with what’s happening at the AMC, as well as celebrating the achievements of our alumni worldwide.

With this issue you should have received a cover page questionnaire asking you to confirm your contact details, areas of interest and whether you’d like to keep receiving this newsletter and a choice of other AMC publications (or you can complete this online at www.amc.edu.au/sign-up).

If you are an alumnus and have recently updated your details through the UTAS online form, we’d still appreciate getting this information from you and some feedback about the newsletter.

As an extra incentive, reply by January 31st 2012 and you could win one of 10 ‘Glide’ gourmet knives (‘Glide’ won the 2009 Tasmanian Design Award and is already gracing the tables of some of the world’s culinary greats).

Like most institutions we have many ‘departments’; so if you can’t find what you need on our website or don’t know who to contact, please feel free to contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the right person.

Wishing you a prosperous year ahead for 2012.

Becky ShrimptonHead, Marketing & Communications Section, Australian Maritime College Email: [email protected]

Above Board is the bi-annual newsletter of The Australian Maritime College, circulated to around 10,000 alumni and other stakeholders worldwide.

Contributions are welcome. Contact AMC media officer Kirsten Woolley at [email protected].

For course enquiries visit www.amc.edu.au/amc-course-information-request

Graphic design: Erin Crawford (AMC) Printed by AT&M, Launceston

2 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

Story continued from page 1

Capt. Lloyd said the reforms will lead to increased investment in domestic tonnage, incentives for registering ships under the Australian flag and, linked to that, a likely significant increase in the manpower requirements for Australian ships.

Couple that to the growth in the offshore sector, particularly in Western Australia, and off the Queensland coast, and emerging in South Australia, then the demand for qualified seafarers to service the needs of the Australian economy is likely to grow quite significantly.

“The AMC has as its clear remit the provision of maritime education and training suitable for seafarers and other participants in the maritime industry, and we work to service the whole of industry needs in that regard,’’ Capt. Lloyd said.

“We see that as the bedrock for continuing what has been a 10 per cent year on year growth over the past four years.”

AMC is also extending its footprint on mainland Australia in an effort to be closer to the points where it sees its services are most needed for a growing demand in maritime seagoing education. This includes working to provide integrated rating training out of Melbourne and looking at joint campus arrangements with the Australian Maritime Fisheries Academy (AMFA) in South Australia.

“We are also developing new programs which will increasingly focus on logistics and supply chain issues, so that we remain attractive to a wider audience of industry participants and school leavers,’’ Capt. Lloyd said.

He said that now was the time to raise the positive profile of the shipping industry and that AMC saw itself as one of the key stakeholders in doing so.

“Ninety nine per cent of the world’s goods are carried by sea. Without oil transported around the world we don’t have fuel for cars, power generation, or heating,’’ he said.

Capt. Lloyd maintains that merchant shipping is also the cleanest way of shipping goods around the world.

“The training and education we give to our people gives them a solid understanding of the broader international context in which they work, both from commercial and environmentally sensitive points of view,’’ he said.

The AMC is also currently in the process of modernising the style of its seafaring course delivery after an extensive process of customer and industry liaison.

“We have an industry liaison committee that has been part of our wider consultation process, and this has also informed the nature of our course reviews,’’ Capt. Lloyd said.

“This will make sure we continue to remain relevant to industry needs, but that we are also attractive to prospective school leavers.”

Capt. Lloyd said that areas like maritime and logistics management had a significant capacity to promote its distance learning capabilities even more widely.

“We’ve already got a presence in several international locations, like Singapore, and we have had discussions about the importance of qualified logistics personnel in India,’’ he said.

“In this era of globalisation there is increasing recognition that the supply chain isn’t just a bunch of separate points joined. People who recognise that the whole chain needs to work more effectively together, are going to be the ones who reap the most benefit from the modern-day maritime industry,’’ he said.

CAPTAIN JOHN LLOYD

Captain John Lloyd has been Director of the National Centre for Ports and Shipping at the Australian Maritime College since 2008.

In this role he is responsible for the Professional Seafarer programs, Maritime Simulation, a suite of training vessels including the MV Bluefin, and the Maritime Logistics and Management courses. He joined the AMC following a role as CEO of the Vanuatu Maritime College.

John started his seagoing career in 1975 with the Furness Withy group, working out of Liverpool in the UK. He qualified as a watch-keeping officer in 1979, and became a Master Mariner in 1986. He then worked overseas for three years as Chief Officer and Master before joining the Marine Society as Master of the Training Ship Jonas Hanway. He served as a Marine Pilot in the ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz from 1994 – 1995.

John holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and is a Director of GlobalMET, the Association of Maritime Training Institutions, and a Director of the Australian Association of Maritime Affairs.

Captain Lloyd can be contacted at [email protected]

CRICOS code 00586B

www.amc.edu.au

Page 3: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

Prof. Bose joined AMC in May 2007 and is currently Director of the National Centre for Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics, and Associate Director

of Research.

“I am honoured to have been invited to ‘take up the helm’ of the Australian Maritime College next year, and am committed to ensuring the college’s continued success as one the world’s best institutes for maritime education, training and research,’’ he said.

Prof. Bose has an impressive academic record, having held positions at the University of Glasgow, Scotland and senior positions at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, including a senior Canada Research Chair in Offshore and Underwater Vehicles Design; but his roots are very much hands-on. In the late 1970’s he was a partner in Scotland’s Cape Wrath Boatyard; building wooden and fibreglass boats and yachts.

He went on to develop an international reputation as an ocean engineer and naval architect, particularly in relation to his research work in the area of marine propulsion.

When Prof. Bose says marine propulsion, he’s not talking about your traditional ship’s propeller. If anything, he likes the term “maverick” and is not afraid to think outside the box.

“I have had a number of successful projects that have looked at quite different areas of marine propulsion,’’ Prof. Bose said.

“I did a PhD in hydrofoil design in the early ‘80s and then went on to do a project on wind turbine propulsion.”

Because of the low oil price in the late 1980’s, energy saving projects like those Prof. Bose specialises in fell out of favour, so he branched out into the area of propeller operation.

“During that time I was involved in a very successful project looking at how ship propellers behave in ice; a subject of primary importance to Canadian maritime operations. Some of my most highly cited papers come from that time, when I also did a series of research projects on the propulsion of whales and how that could be applied to ship propulsion,’’ Prof. Bose said.

Prof. Bose has, over the years, earned a reputation for working in, what his field calls, “unconventional propulsors”. So much so, that he has been involved with several technical committees of the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC), including chairing a Specialist Technical Committee on Unconventional Propulsors.

Prof. Bose said that he has often found himself at odds with some in the testing tank community because of his questioning of more traditional methods of ship powering prediction, but said that industry was now appreciating the benefits of this approach.

He is keen to apply that ‘outside the box’ thinking as he steps into his new role; seeing enormous potential for AMC in three key areas: further growth of student numbers; including through flexible distance learning options; the development of new courses to meet industry needs (particularly in Australia with the government’s new Maritime Reform agenda and through development of AMC’s dual sector role); and of course through expanded research capability.

He said that he had seen a change in the research culture at AMC since his arrival in 2007.

“AMC was not research intensive, but now all of our academic staff at least think about their research programs and potential. This shift has long-term benefits and enhances our partnership opportunities with industry, especially in relation to the significant environmental challenges facing the globe today.”

He recognises that environmental issues are at the forefront of the International Maritime Organisation agenda; with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology saying that climate change is the most important threat facing humanity.

“With every challenge comes opportunity, and one example is the growing need for renewable energies,” he said.

As part of a $260,200 ARC Linkage project, Prof. Bose and a team from AMC are currently working with Hobart-based shipbuilder Incat and Revolution Design, propulsion company Wartsila Netherlands and the Netherlands based MARIN to develop the next generation of Incat vessels; a fleet in which the need for speed will be of secondary importance to improved fuel-efficiency and lower emissions.

In addition one of the international leaders in the ocean energy sector, Oceanlinx, has been using AMC’s word-class facilities and expert advice to further develop renewable energy technology that provides versatility for deployment in shallow and deep waters. This innovative technology can provide desalinated water, coastal protection and is safe for marine life with no moving parts underneath the

water. This work too has been funded through the ARC Linkage project programme.

Prof. Bose said AMC has many factors that make it unique, and that he is keen to capitalise upon its strengths as an institute.

“We have three very closely linked centres. The question is how do we make that work for us? We need to look at the synergies and what we can do better,’’ he said.

“We need to apply what has worked in one area to other areas and build on our strengths. There are opportunities out there that we haven’t even begun to think about yet.”

AMC has a massive network of alumni around the world, and Prof. Bose is keen to maintain close contact with industry in order to be responsive to its needs.

“I am happy to hear from anyone in the maritime, marine, logistics or oil and gas sectors with feedback or ideas about the key issues and opportunities that AMC should focus on over the coming years” Prof. Bose added.

Propelling towards the future

“We need to apply what has worked in one area to other areas and build on our strengths.

There are opportunities out there that we

haven’t even begun to think about yet.”

“I’m so glad to have played my part.”Departing AMC Principal, Professor Malek Pourzanjani in profile on Page 4

Professor Neil Bose will step in as Acting Principal following Professor Malek Pourzanjani’s departure at the end of this year.

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 3

Professor Neil Bose

Page 4: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

Fair winds and following seasOver the past five years of Malek

Pourzanjani’s leadership, the college has performed above expectations. Since 2008, AMC student numbers

have jumped 31 percent to reach an all-time high and operating revenue has increased by almost 45 percent. Meanwhile, AMC’s commercial arm, AMC Search, has almost doubled its revenue. Student numbers have reached an all time high of 1100 and revenue has jumped by 40 percent. Its commercial arm, AMC Search, has doubled its revenue in this time.

But it could be argued that Professor Pourzanjani’s greatest legacy is the significantly strengthened ties with the maritime sector and industry. None of it occurred by accident. It was part of a personal, professional agenda.

When he was appointed Principal in 2006, the Glasgow-trained deck officer hit the ground running. He describes his first six months as a “road trip” – on and off planes; building industry links.

“I was surprised to find that I knew a lot more about AMC than people in Australia did. Internationally it was well known, but there was little attention paid to the importance of AMC nationally.”

So Malek immediately concentrated his focus on developing relationships.

“A lot of it was simple; it was picking up the phone and starting a conversation. I was fortunate in the early days to have been so well supported by the key staff around me. My Executive Officer Jenni Rein said: ‘Here’s a plane ticket. Go and meet people!’“

Professor Pourzanjani brought a wealth of maritime industry and educational experience to AMC.

After ten years with the merchant navy, he left to undertake a BSc (Hons) in Maritime Technology at the University of Wales followed by a PhD at Exeter University, England. He stayed on as a lecturer in Marine and Systems

Dynamics, then joined Southampton Institute in 1991 and was appointed Professor and Dean of the Maritime faculty from 1996-2001.

It was his dual background as both a merchant seaman and a chartered engineer that helped

him earn the respect and admiration of key people within Australia’s maritime sector. With his trademark infectious smile, he recalls how dogged he was in ensuring AMC was promoted to all who would listen.

“When current Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese was elected, he had a long list of priorities and it was proving difficult to secure a meeting with him. I heard he was going to a conference in Germany. So I decided I had to go. The Minister didn’t know much about AMC then, but I had three days with him. He knows a lot now and we have have developed a successful working relationship.”

It is through relationships such as these that Professor Malek has contributed to national policy on issues such as workforce development in the shipping industry.

“One of my first priorities was to organise a Maritime Forum at AMC involving industry leaders, politicians and other educational providers. They are biennial now and each has a key focus, but the purpose of the first one was simply to get people down here – and they were gobsmacked at what they found!” he said.

But the departing head of the AMC says there is still more to be achieved; particularly in the area of applied research.

“I see growth in all three disciplines (Ports & Shipping, Maritime Engineering & Hydrodynamics and Marine Conservation & Resource Sustainability). We are doing things we need to do, but we could do more with research to solve industry problems. We need to be able to predict the problems that industry will face in the future and research these in advance. “

Malek believes there is plenty of scope for more post graduate students to play a role in this. He also feels there is more to be done in creating greater awareness of the maritime industry.

“Anything to do with the word ‘maritime’ is generally not on people’s radar. AMC can play its part, but it is a collective role. Everybody must come together to promote the sector.”

You can tell the decision to leave AMC for a prestigious post as President of the new Raffles University in Johor, Malaysia has not been made lightly.

Professor Malek Pourzanjani

4 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

“You walk around the corridors and see the way our staff interact with students, and it’s so rewarding.”

It’s a long way from Antarctica to Canberra, but it’s been a journey worth taking for Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Principal Advisor Iain Kerr.

Iain, a former AMC student, served a year of his cadetship on the Rhexenor, trading between

South East Asia and every major Australian port from Cairns to Adelaide, including Hobart and Burnie in Tasmania.

He went on to gain an unlimited Masters’s certificate (including Part A of extra masters before transferring to a degree course) with four

years’ experience as master, everywhere from North Africa to Scandinavia and Arctic Russia.

He then taught at both Leith and Glasgow Nautical Colleges, before a sixteen year deviation into the aviation industry where he ended up with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.

Returning to the maritime industry in 2000 as a principal examiner and nautical adviser, Iain needed to renew his original qualifications and his colleagues recommended he upgrade and revalidate at AMC where he was very grateful for the guidance and support of AMC Search’s Cathy Wilson.

He enjoyed the course and found it very useful, with one of his memories being of the law update taught, to the awe of the class, by a master of the Aurora Australis. Little did he realise that within a couple of months, with a brand new STCW certificate and a brand new AMC beanie, he would be sailing as master in Antarctica himself.

The opportunity arose when a seafarer phoned about his ticket and, during the conversation, Iain asked him what ship he was on and where they went. The reply was the

Braveheart, a small ex-Japanese fisheries patrol boat, going to Antarctica, and looking for a master.

The AMC beanie therefore went to sea, on one occasion being blown overboard onto an ice floe and recovered from the stern with a boathook.

Iain later went back to Antarctica as master of the Australian Sir Hubert Wilkins, and then for three voyages as ice pilot of the luxury cruise ship Orion. His full time job is now in Canberra with AMSA as a Principal Adviser, which includes input into the several Antarctic issues AMSA is responsible for.

Iain says his course at AMC gave him not just an STCW certificate and a beanie, but a whole new Antarctic dimension to his seagoing career.

Get your gear ON for the Above Board magazine. Send us a pic of you and your AMC paraphernalia in far off places, and some info about yourself, for potential inclusion. If you want to order AMC mechandise please visit www.amc.edu.au/amc-merchandise

Where did you get that hat?

Page 5: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 5

Since 1992 AMC, through its commercial arm AMC Search Ltd., has been providing high quality, purpose specific training as part of Australia’s largest

and most successful Defence Cooperation project, the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.

Following the ratification of the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1994, which introduced a 200 nautical miles (370 km) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the territories of all nations with an ocean coastline, several South West Pacific island nations found themselves responsible for policing an area of ocean that was beyond their maritime capability, and significantly larger than their land territories.

Following requests by several Pacific nations for assistance from the governments of Australia and New Zealand, the Australian government created the Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program to design and provide suitable patrol boats to nearby island nations, along with training and infrastructure to support these ships.

There are now 19 PPBs in operation in 11 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), requiring skilled and appropriately trained personnel and effective management, operation and maintenance.

The PPB’s primary roles include surveillance and fisheries law enforcement, search and rescue, medical evacuation and disaster relief. However, they are utilised for many other nation building and emergency tasks, which all add up to them being a significant asset for many of the smaller Pacific nations. Indeed, they are at the forefront of enforcing their nation’s sovereignty across vast stretches of ocean.

The AMC Search training provides the single largest professional maritime and engineering capability for PICs. Graduates not only serve through the PPB Program, but also in their wider communities when their military or law enforcement careers are finished.

Ex-navy AMC Course co-ordinator, Barry Jones is justifiably proud of the contribution that AMC has made to the on-going welfare of these island nations. Barry, who was involved with the program in his former life during initial build stage in the 80s and 90s, runs the officer’s courses. He is also now the course leader in the area of seamanship, safety and maintenance.

“We have the contract to train the whole crew. From the cook and the able seaman, right through to the captain,’’ Barry said.

Two or three courses are run at a time from mid-February to mid-December, with a maximum of 12 people. The shortest course runs for four weeks, the longest for 15.

Training is divided into four main streams:

seamanship for the deck workers; marine engineering, for people dealing with engines, generators and associated systems; technical electronics, which focuses on radars and electronic systems; and the officers courses.

There are also a number of smaller courses, including cooking and hygiene, which is conducted in the University of Tasmania kitchens.

“When we first got the training contract there was a whole section on baking in the cooking course. We removed that and it is now tailored specifically to island nutrition with more rice and fish dishes,’’ Mr Jones said.

Other short courses include communications, project management and basic engineering skills, but everyone also gets a taste of survival at sea, damage control and firefighting.

Mr Jones said that the countries involved in the PPB program nominate their own candidates for the course, who are then given an aptitude test by the Defence Department.

“They check to make sure that the candidates have the right sort of abilities for the job, and assess their English language skills,’’ he said.

“In some cases English is the second, or even third language for these people.”

Mr Jones said that AMC Search had seen success with its training program because it had the resources, and a hands-on personal approach.

“We take the time to work one-on-one with trainees, recognising that they sometimes don’t have the English skills, or even the basic

educational skills that we take for granted,’’ he said.

AMC Search supports the training program with a total turnkey operation to care for the Pacific Islander trainees. They arrange travel, supply all accommodation and meals 7 days a week, and provide social, medical and pastoral support services. AMC becomes a “home away from home”.

Such is the outstanding level of training and support provided by AMC Search under its PPB training program that it won an Outstanding Contractor Award from the Defence Materiel Organisation in 2003, one of only 7 such awards ever to be issued by DMO to date. AMC Search has also been rated amongst the top five of all Defence Contractors.

Mr Jones said that the “international nature” of AMC in general smoothed the way for islanders required to spend such a long time away from home.

“It’s not just that our student body and staff are from diverse backgrounds, it’s that we are often the only place that these guys get the chance to see each other.”

PPB participants are often at sea for long periods of time.

“It takes a week to get from one end of Kiribas to another in a boat,” Mr Jones said.

“The water area of Micronesia is the size of half of Australia and there are three boats that do about 20kmh.

“Imagine trying to patrol half of Australia with three police cars restricted to 20kmh.”

AMC Search also conducts courses in-country, such as the 8-week Certificate IV in Frontline Management course and courses in Corrosion Prevention and Safety Equipment Maintenance.

At the core of the management courses is a project that the trainees need to devise, plan, schedule, budget, allocate tasks and implement, thereby demonstrating their competency in teamwork, communications and project management generally.

AMC Search Ltd contributes $2000 to “kick-start” each trainee’s project and the trainees devise fund raising events to supplement the budget.

As well as providing a means of assessment for the course, the projects provide on-going benefits to the local community. Past projects have involved connecting a village to running water for the first time, erecting a safety fence around a primary school to enhance safety for the children, and construction of a shelter shed at a bus stop used by school children and their parents.

Contributing to safety in the Pacific

The work of the former CEO of AMC Search was recognised at the 16th annual Lloyd’s List DCN Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards in Melbourne recently.

John Foster, who passed away in June, was highly commended for his work by the Maritime Services Award, sponsored by Australian Amalgamated Terminals.

The award was accepted on the night by Cathy Wilson, General Manager (Operations) of AMC Search. Lloyd’s List DCN is Australia’s leading shipping, trade and transport newspaper.

Mr Foster was appointed General Manager of AMC Search in 1986. Under his guidance AMC Search grew to contribute more than $44 million to AMC, enabling its facilities to be maintained, upgraded and replaced, for the benefit of all AMC students and the Australian maritime industry.

One of Mr Foster’s major achievements was the on-going success of the Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program. AMC Search has managed the PPB contract for 20 years. This involves the provision of training, both at AMC and in-country, to officers and crew of 11 Pacific Island nations, to operate and maintain 19 patrol boats under the auspices of the Australian Defence Cooperation Program.

In 1997 AMC Search was the proud recipient of one of only seven ‘Outstanding Contractor’ awards ever issued by the Department.

Australian Maritime College Principal Professor Malek Pourzanjani praised the work of Mr Foster and said that the posthumous recognition was well deserved.

“AMC Search’s success can be attributed directly to John’s leadership, vision and ability to assess market demand for new and emerging technologies, to take the calculated risk in commissioning new equipment to ensure that AMC remains the premier Australian Maritime training institute,” Prof. Pourzanjani said.

Fosterhonoured

The Australian Maritime College’s commercial arm, AMC Search, has been recognised for excellence in providing dynamic positioning simulator training with two prestigious international awards.

AMC Search took out the title of DP Training Centre of the Year in the 2011 International Dynamic Positioning Excellence Awards.

The title is awarded to a training centre in recognition of its excellent facilities, equipment, staff and student support.

In addition to the group award, AMC Search’s Matthew Barney was also named DP Lecturer of the Year – an award presented to an individual who has shown outstanding passion, knowledge, engagement and support in their teaching.

Dynamic Positioning (DP) is a computer controlled system which maintains a vessel’s position and heading by using its propellers and thrusters, in conjunction with environmental data, to calculate the effect of wind, wave and currents. It is frequently used by offshore supply vessels to hold position without the use of an anchor.

AMC Search offers Nautical Institute approved DP Courses at DP units in Launceston (Tasmania) and Perth (WA).

For more information visit www.amcsearch.com.au/facilities/dynamic-positioning-unit/

DP Training Centre of the Year

John Foster

Page 6: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY

CAMPAIGN & BATTLE HONOURS

ATLANTIC1939 - 1943 BISMARCK

1941

LIBYA1940 - 1941

PERSIAN GULF

2001 - 2003

GERMAN EAST

AFRICA1915 - 1916

NEWZEALAND1860 - 1861

ENGLISH CHANNEL

1942

NORTH SEA1915 - 1918

DARDANELLES1915

PACIFIC1941 - 1945

OKINAWA1945

KOREA1950 - 1953

LINGAYEN GULF

1945LEYTE GULF

1944

VIETNAM1965 - 1972

BURMA1944 - 1945

KUWAIT1991

IRAQ2003

KORMORAN1941

DARWIN1942 - 1943

CORAL SEA1942

SAVO ISLAND1942

GUADALCANAL1942

RABAUL1914

INDIANOCEAN

1917

INDIANOCEAN

1941 - 1945

CHINA1900 - 1901

JAPAN1945

BORNEO1945

EMDEN1914

SUNDASTRAIT

1942

EAST INDIES

1940 - 1944

EAST TIMOR

1999 - 2000

NEW GUINEA1942 - 1944

MALAYA1955 - 1960

SABANG1944

MALAYSIA1964 - 1966

ADRIATIC1917 - 1918

SICILY1943

GREECE1941

MATAPAN1941

MALTACONVOYS1941 - 1942

CALABRIA1940

CRETE1941

SPADA1940

MEDITERRANEAN1940 - 1943

6 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

Page 7: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY

CAMPAIGN & BATTLE HONOURS

ATLANTIC1939 - 1943 BISMARCK

1941

LIBYA1940 - 1941

PERSIAN GULF

2001 - 2003

GERMAN EAST

AFRICA1915 - 1916

NEWZEALAND1860 - 1861

ENGLISH CHANNEL

1942

NORTH SEA1915 - 1918

DARDANELLES1915

PACIFIC1941 - 1945

OKINAWA1945

KOREA1950 - 1953

LINGAYEN GULF

1945LEYTE GULF

1944

VIETNAM1965 - 1972

BURMA1944 - 1945

KUWAIT1991

IRAQ2003

KORMORAN1941

DARWIN1942 - 1943

CORAL SEA1942

SAVO ISLAND1942

GUADALCANAL1942

RABAUL1914

INDIANOCEAN

1917

INDIANOCEAN

1941 - 1945

CHINA1900 - 1901

JAPAN1945

BORNEO1945

EMDEN1914

SUNDASTRAIT

1942

EAST INDIES

1940 - 1944

EAST TIMOR

1999 - 2000

NEW GUINEA1942 - 1944

MALAYA1955 - 1960

SABANG1944

MALAYSIA1964 - 1966

ADRIATIC1917 - 1918

SICILY1943

GREECE1941

MATAPAN1941

MALTACONVOYS1941 - 1942

CALABRIA1940

CRETE1941

SPADA1940

MEDITERRANEAN1940 - 1943

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 7

Page 8: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

40°S

20°S

120°E 150°E

20°S

40°S

180°

90°E A U S T R A L I A

I N D O N E S I A PNGTIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON

ISLANDS

NEWZEALAND

VANUATU

ChristmasIsland

MacquarieIsland

NorfolkIslandLord

HoweIsland

Elizabeth &Middleton

Reefs

CoralSea

IslandsWallabyExmouthPlateaus

NewCaledonia(France)

NaturalistePlateau

ThreeKingsRidge

LordHoweRise

SouthTasmanRise

GreatAustralianBight

Cocos(Keeling)

Island

I N D I A N O C E A N

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Ta s m a nS e a

C o r a lS e a

T i m o rS e a

A r a f u r aS e a 60°E

40°S

20°S

120°E 150°E

20°S

40°S

180°

90°E

60°S

A U S T R A L I A

I N D O N E S I A PNGTIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON

ISLANDS

NEWZEALAND

AUSTRALIANANTARCTICTERRITORY

(AAT)

AAT

VANUATU

ChristmasIsland

MacquarieIsland

Heard &McDonald

Islands

KerguelenIsland

(France)

SouthPole

NorfolkIslandLord

HoweIsland

Elizabeth &Middleton

Reefs

CoralSea

IslandsWallabyExmouthPlateaus

NewCaledonia(France)

NaturalistePlateau

ThreeKingsRidge

LordHoweRise

SouthTasmanRise

MacquarieRidge

KerguelenPlateau

GreatAustralian

Bight

Cocos(Keeling)

Island

I N D I A N O C E A N

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Ta s m a nS e a

C o r a lS e a

T i m o rS e a

A r a f u r aS e a

S O U T H E R N O C E A N

Territorial sea and internal waters

Area of Australia’s exclusive economic zoneas de�ned by the UN Convention on the Lawof the Sea and certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s continental shelf beyond200 M as con�rmed by the Commissionon the Limits of the Continental Shelf and asde�ned by certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s extended continental shelfo� Antarctica as submitted on 15 Nov 2004 tothe Commission on the Limits of theContinental Shelf.

Joint Petroleum Development Area as de�nedin the Timor Sea Treaty between Australia andTimor-Leste.

Notes: 1 nautical mile (M) = 1852m

K E Y

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 KmMap derived from Commonwealth of Australia

Copyright and other reference material.

Copyright June 2009 © demapwww.demap.com.au

MARITIME AUSTRALIA 2011290 million tonnes p.a. of QLD & NSW coal exports valued at $36 billion loaded at 7500 tonnes/hour/loader into 100-200,000 dwt ships.

390 million tonnes p.a. of iron ore

valued at $35 billion carried in 100-

250,000 dwt ships.

21 million tonnes p.a. of offshore oil and gas valued at $18 billion carried in 150-200,000 dwt ships, backed up by a wide variety of maritime exploration, extraction and support facilities.

1-2 million containers p.a. handled through each major Australian container port, with 2-3 ships arriving and departing

every day, giving annual figures for Australia of 26,000 port calls by 3800 different ships each year. Stevedores and logistics

personnel and organisations handle the transfer of cargoes between road/rail distribution networks and ships.”

“$11 billion p.a. in domestic and international marine tourism handled by a wide variety of vessels, with extensive onshore logistics support.

$6.4 billion p.a. in ship building, repair and support

$2.2 billion p.a. worth of marine aquaculture and wild capture fisheries harvested by more than 8500 licensed commercial boats nationally, with extensive onshore logistics and marketing facilities.

The Australian Maritime College, located in Launceston, Tasmania, is Australia’s national institute for maritime education, training and research - www.amc.edu.au. Other maritime training is provided by the Hunter Institute, Newcastle (NSW TAFE) and the WA Maritime Training Centre (Challenger Institute) in Fremantle, WA.

Royal Australian Navy – with approximately 13,800 permanent uniformed members, the RAN operates 55 commissioned ships including: frigates, submarines, amphibious ships, patrol boats, mine countermeasures and hydrographic vessels, and afloat support ships, as well as 35 helicopters, plus associated shore establishments. In addition to its warfare roles, the RAN supports Australia’s border protection and search and rescue activities in cooperation with Customs, AMSA, immigration and fisheries agencies, as well as being responsible for all nautical charting.

Australia’s marine research facilities include the Australian Institute of Marine Science and CSIRO, universities and government research agencies.

Governments have broad responsibilities for management of the marine environment, natural resources and biological diversity under Australian

jurisdiction. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Antarctic Division are specialist agencies with responsibilities for policy

advice and management of globally significant marine ecosystems.

60°E

40°S

20°S

120°E 150°E

20°S

40°S

180°

90°E

60°S

A U S T R A L I A

I N D O N E S I A PNGTIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON

ISLANDS

NEWZEALAND

AUSTRALIANANTARCTICTERRITORY

(AAT)

AAT

VANUATU

ChristmasIsland

MacquarieIsland

Heard &McDonald

Islands

KerguelenIsland

(France)

SouthPole

NorfolkIslandLord

HoweIsland

Elizabeth &Middleton

Reefs

CoralSea

IslandsWallabyExmouthPlateaus

NewCaledonia(France)

NaturalistePlateau

ThreeKingsRidge

LordHoweRise

SouthTasmanRise

MacquarieRidge

KerguelenPlateau

GreatAustralian

Bight

Cocos(Keeling)

Island

I N D I A N O C E A N

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Ta s m a nS e a

C o r a lS e a

T i m o rS e a

A r a f u r aS e a

S O U T H E R N O C E A N

Territorial sea and internal waters

Area of Australia’s exclusive economic zoneas de�ned by the UN Convention on the Lawof the Sea and certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s continental shelf beyond200 M as con�rmed by the Commissionon the Limits of the Continental Shelf and asde�ned by certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s extended continental shelfo� Antarctica as submitted on 15 Nov 2004 tothe Commission on the Limits of theContinental Shelf.

Joint Petroleum Development Area as de�nedin the Timor Sea Treaty between Australia andTimor-Leste.

Notes: 1 nautical mile (M) = 1852m

K E Y

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 KmMap derived from Commonwealth of Australia

Copyright and other reference material.

Copyright June 2009 © demapwww.demap.com.au

A wide variety of maritime transport, regulatory and safety services are provided by institutions such as

the Australian Customs Service, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, ship survey and inspection facilities,

navigation marker maintainers, port authorities, marine pilots, fisheries inspectors etc.

This poster was compiled by the Australian Association for Maritime Affairs - www.aama.asn.au - under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND licence - and includes Commonwealth copyright material and photographs published with the permission of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Australian Maritime College, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Department of Defence. The use of the underlying map of Australia’s Maritime Boundaries is courtesy of demap - www.demap.com.au

MELBOURNE

PORT KEMBLA

MAJOR NAVAL BASES

MAJOR PORTS

FREMANTLE

PORT WALCOTT

PORT HEDLAND

SYDNEY

NEWCASTLE

BRISBANE

GLADSTONE

ABBOTT POINT

HAY POINT

HMAS KUTTABUL

HMAS CAIRNS

HMAS COONAWARRA

HMAS STIRLING

DAMPIER

Australia’s Maritime Boundaries - Antarctica

Australian Associationfor Maritime Affairswww.aama.asn.au

generating greater publicawareness of maritime affairs

8 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

Page 9: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

40°S

20°S

120°E 150°E

20°S

40°S

180°

90°E A U S T R A L I A

I N D O N E S I A PNGTIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON

ISLANDS

NEWZEALAND

VANUATU

ChristmasIsland

MacquarieIsland

NorfolkIslandLord

HoweIsland

Elizabeth &Middleton

Reefs

CoralSea

IslandsWallabyExmouthPlateaus

NewCaledonia(France)

NaturalistePlateau

ThreeKingsRidge

LordHoweRise

SouthTasmanRise

GreatAustralianBight

Cocos(Keeling)

Island

I N D I A N O C E A N

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Ta s m a nS e a

C o r a lS e a

T i m o rS e a

A r a f u r aS e a 60°E

40°S

20°S

120°E 150°E

20°S

40°S

180°

90°E

60°S

A U S T R A L I A

I N D O N E S I A PNGTIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON

ISLANDS

NEWZEALAND

AUSTRALIANANTARCTICTERRITORY

(AAT)

AAT

VANUATU

ChristmasIsland

MacquarieIsland

Heard &McDonald

Islands

KerguelenIsland

(France)

SouthPole

NorfolkIslandLord

HoweIsland

Elizabeth &Middleton

Reefs

CoralSea

IslandsWallabyExmouthPlateaus

NewCaledonia(France)

NaturalistePlateau

ThreeKingsRidge

LordHoweRise

SouthTasmanRise

MacquarieRidge

KerguelenPlateau

GreatAustralian

Bight

Cocos(Keeling)

Island

I N D I A N O C E A N

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Ta s m a nS e a

C o r a lS e a

T i m o rS e a

A r a f u r aS e a

S O U T H E R N O C E A N

Territorial sea and internal waters

Area of Australia’s exclusive economic zoneas de�ned by the UN Convention on the Lawof the Sea and certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s continental shelf beyond200 M as con�rmed by the Commissionon the Limits of the Continental Shelf and asde�ned by certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s extended continental shelfo� Antarctica as submitted on 15 Nov 2004 tothe Commission on the Limits of theContinental Shelf.

Joint Petroleum Development Area as de�nedin the Timor Sea Treaty between Australia andTimor-Leste.

Notes: 1 nautical mile (M) = 1852m

K E Y

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 KmMap derived from Commonwealth of Australia

Copyright and other reference material.

Copyright June 2009 © demapwww.demap.com.au

MARITIME AUSTRALIA 2011290 million tonnes p.a. of QLD & NSW coal exports valued at $36 billion loaded at 7500 tonnes/hour/loader into 100-200,000 dwt ships.

390 million tonnes p.a. of iron ore

valued at $35 billion carried in 100-

250,000 dwt ships.

21 million tonnes p.a. of offshore oil and gas valued at $18 billion carried in 150-200,000 dwt ships, backed up by a wide variety of maritime exploration, extraction and support facilities.

1-2 million containers p.a. handled through each major Australian container port, with 2-3 ships arriving and departing

every day, giving annual figures for Australia of 26,000 port calls by 3800 different ships each year. Stevedores and logistics

personnel and organisations handle the transfer of cargoes between road/rail distribution networks and ships.”

“$11 billion p.a. in domestic and international marine tourism handled by a wide variety of vessels, with extensive onshore logistics support.

$6.4 billion p.a. in ship building, repair and support

$2.2 billion p.a. worth of marine aquaculture and wild capture fisheries harvested by more than 8500 licensed commercial boats nationally, with extensive onshore logistics and marketing facilities.

The Australian Maritime College, located in Launceston, Tasmania, is Australia’s national institute for maritime education, training and research - www.amc.edu.au. Other maritime training is provided by the Hunter Institute, Newcastle (NSW TAFE) and the WA Maritime Training Centre (Challenger Institute) in Fremantle, WA.

Royal Australian Navy – with approximately 13,800 permanent uniformed members, the RAN operates 55 commissioned ships including: frigates, submarines, amphibious ships, patrol boats, mine countermeasures and hydrographic vessels, and afloat support ships, as well as 35 helicopters, plus associated shore establishments. In addition to its warfare roles, the RAN supports Australia’s border protection and search and rescue activities in cooperation with Customs, AMSA, immigration and fisheries agencies, as well as being responsible for all nautical charting.

Australia’s marine research facilities include the Australian Institute of Marine Science and CSIRO, universities and government research agencies.

Governments have broad responsibilities for management of the marine environment, natural resources and biological diversity under Australian

jurisdiction. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Antarctic Division are specialist agencies with responsibilities for policy

advice and management of globally significant marine ecosystems.

60°E

40°S

20°S

120°E 150°E

20°S

40°S

180°

90°E

60°S

A U S T R A L I A

I N D O N E S I A PNGTIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON

ISLANDS

NEWZEALAND

AUSTRALIANANTARCTICTERRITORY

(AAT)

AAT

VANUATU

ChristmasIsland

MacquarieIsland

Heard &McDonald

Islands

KerguelenIsland

(France)

SouthPole

NorfolkIslandLord

HoweIsland

Elizabeth &Middleton

Reefs

CoralSea

IslandsWallabyExmouthPlateaus

NewCaledonia(France)

NaturalistePlateau

ThreeKingsRidge

LordHoweRise

SouthTasmanRise

MacquarieRidge

KerguelenPlateau

GreatAustralian

Bight

Cocos(Keeling)

Island

I N D I A N O C E A N

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Ta s m a nS e a

C o r a lS e a

T i m o rS e a

A r a f u r aS e a

S O U T H E R N O C E A N

Territorial sea and internal waters

Area of Australia’s exclusive economic zoneas de�ned by the UN Convention on the Lawof the Sea and certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s continental shelf beyond200 M as con�rmed by the Commissionon the Limits of the Continental Shelf and asde�ned by certain treaties (not all in force).

Area of Australia’s extended continental shelfo� Antarctica as submitted on 15 Nov 2004 tothe Commission on the Limits of theContinental Shelf.

Joint Petroleum Development Area as de�nedin the Timor Sea Treaty between Australia andTimor-Leste.

Notes: 1 nautical mile (M) = 1852m

K E Y

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 KmMap derived from Commonwealth of Australia

Copyright and other reference material.

Copyright June 2009 © demapwww.demap.com.au

A wide variety of maritime transport, regulatory and safety services are provided by institutions such as

the Australian Customs Service, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, ship survey and inspection facilities,

navigation marker maintainers, port authorities, marine pilots, fisheries inspectors etc.

This poster was compiled by the Australian Association for Maritime Affairs - www.aama.asn.au - under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND licence - and includes Commonwealth copyright material and photographs published with the permission of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Australian Maritime College, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Department of Defence. The use of the underlying map of Australia’s Maritime Boundaries is courtesy of demap - www.demap.com.au

MELBOURNE

PORT KEMBLA

MAJOR NAVAL BASES

MAJOR PORTS

FREMANTLE

PORT WALCOTT

PORT HEDLAND

SYDNEY

NEWCASTLE

BRISBANE

GLADSTONE

ABBOTT POINT

HAY POINT

HMAS KUTTABUL

HMAS CAIRNS

HMAS COONAWARRA

HMAS STIRLING

DAMPIER

Australia’s Maritime Boundaries - Antarctica

Australian Associationfor Maritime Affairswww.aama.asn.au

generating greater publicawareness of maritime affairs

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 9

Page 10: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

NAME: Teresa HatchAMC DEGREE: Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture)YEAR GRADUATED: 1997

Teresa is the Executive Director of the Australian Shipowners Association, where she has worked for over eight years on a variety of issues, including shipping policy, employment and training, environment, health and safety, and vessel operations. Internationally, Teresa is the Australian shipowner representative at the United Nations International Labour Organisation, and regularly attends the UN International Maritime Organisation meetings as an industry adviser to the Australian delegation.Teresa is also the Chair of the International Chamber of Shipping, Environment Sub-Committee and the Secretary General, Australia, at the Asian Shipowners Forum. She is also on the Board of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, and the Maritime Industry Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the mental health of seafarers. She also holds a MBA.

How did your naval architecture degree lead to the career you have now? When I first graduated I took a job with a consulting firm working on ship motion analysis and port design. It was a fantastic first step that directly applied the knowledge I’d gained and developed it further. That role took me to most ports around the country and several overseas. From there I worked for a port authority in technical management and then for a government department running a ballast water management project. The technical knowledge allowed me to speak to ship staff on equal terms and to understand exactly what they were telling me. From there I joined the Australian Shipowner’s Association.

Why is an institution like AMC important for the maritime industry?The industry, small as it is, is reasonably fractured and national training institutions like AMC provide a focal point on issues that the industry has in common. AMC provides an entire cluster of expertise and the strength of AMC comes from all of those pieces. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The infrastructure and teaching quality at AMC is highly valued by the industry.

What are your aspirations for the next few years?I’m looking forward to seeing the Australian shipping industry grow as a result of the new regulatory changes the Government is putting in place now. That growth will not just be in ship numbers, but also where they operate (i.e. expansion into international trades) and how they operate (i.e. newer ships with newer equipment, more fuel efficient etc). At the same time I look forward to the next ‘boom’ in offshore oil and gas activity. It is such a dynamic industry. There is always something new going on and something new to learn. I hope to see a sustainable training structure established to meet the needs of all users of maritime skills in the next few years.

ALUMNIIN FOCUS

Saving our seas

AMC alumnus Misha Merzliakov (B. Eng – Naval Architecture) has celebrated being the first

Australian finalist in the Young Designer of the Year category of the 2011 ShowBoats Design Awards.

With a VIP audience of superyacht owners and the industry’s leading creative talents, the award winners were announced at the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club , in Palm Beach, Florida on October 25.

Misha was one of five finalists in the Young Designer of the Year Award category. The prestigious competition is open to design students and recent graduates around the world.

“Becoming a finalist and being part of the competition was a great experience.

I was the Aussie from Perth amongst the esteemed Europeans and Americans. It was a chance to immerse myself amongst some incredible talent and I was up against the world’s best,” Misha said.

Misha graduated from AMC in 2008 and now works in the Design Development department for Austal Ships in Western Australia. This department produces the preliminary designs for defence, commercial and private vessels to support Austal’s global sales and marketing activities. Misha specialises in designing innovative concepts for commercial vessels and luxury yachts.

He was selected as a finalist for his submission ‘Eva’ – a 52 metre motor catamaran named after his young daughter. If built, Eva would be the largest superyacht cat in the world.

“My goal was to break the mould of traditional catamaran design aesthetics. Eva’s architectural inspired arrangement was aimed at connecting the interior to the outside environment. She boasts full height windows, open plan lounging and is family friendly. Designing a catamaran superyacht was a relished challenge for me, and of course, I needed to adhere to the competition brief and its restrictions,” Misha added.

As a finalist, Misha received promotion in Boat International, Lürssen Shipyard and also Camper and Nicholsons. In addition to the trip to Florida, where finalists received entry to the world-renowned Superyachts Symposium, Misha will also travel to the Lürssen Shipyard in Germany to gain first-hand industry experience.

AMC alumnus is finalist in showboat design competition

While you go about your daily business in the maritime industry, there is an Australian organisation that is doing its bit to ensure that our marine environment remains healthy for many years to come.

The Australian Marine Environment Protection Association (AUSMEPA) was launched in 2000 when a declaration of a voluntary commitment to ‘save the seas’ was signed by the shipping industry, government and non-government organisations who were committed to protecting Australia’s marine environment.

In conjunction with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, AUSMEPA provides a free DVD to every ship that visits an Australian port in an effort to pass on a message of protection and preservation of our aquatic beauty.

One of the Association’s key objectives is to assist the shipping industry in achieving environmental sustainability and in enhancing the industry’s ‘clean and green’ reputation among the community. The group recognises quality shipping with a proven track record in safety and marine environment protection via its ship membership scheme.

AUSMEPA provides free educational resources via its website to help teachers plan and undertake a units of work about key marine environmental issues, including climate change and stormwater pollution.

If you would like to find out more about AUSMEPA visit www.ausmepa.org.au

1 0 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

Out & AboutAMC’s Dr. Ben Brooks, Captain John Lloyd, Professor Neil Bose, Stephen Burke & Professor Malek Pourzanjani at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s 21st birthday Charity Ball.The function was held at the National Museum in Canberra earlier this year.

Page 11: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

When Captain Suresh Emmanuel Abishegam arrived at the Australian Maritime College in 1986 he had only been married a week.

He and his wife recently celebrated their 25th anniversary and brought their three daughters to Launceston to see first-hand where they had begun their life together.

Capt. Abishegam said that he chose to study at AMC because, in the ‘80s, it was a new institution and dedicated to the maritime industry and education.

“There was this great group of people from all walks of life and from different nationalities, at a time when Launceston was still very much removed from the rest of Australia and the world,’’ he said.

“Without any doubt the college and the students added much colour to the city.”

After obtaining his mate’s then master’s certificates, Capt. Abishegam went back to sea with Neptune Orient Lines (Singapore), and later American Eagle Tankers. When he left the sea he joined a start up Malaysian shipping company, becoming CEO and part of the team which listed the company on the stock exchange in Malaysia.

‘’Then in 2004 I formed the Azimuth Group of Companies which is involved in ship management/chartering, port operations, the production of 3D HD animation for safety in the oil & gas & marine industries, and IT solutions for the maritime industry,” he said.

Capt. Abishegam said AMC was the foundation which has anchored his career path, as he recalled his time in Launceston with fond memories.

“The spirit of comradeship in my mate’s/master’s class was unequalled.

“I remember the exchange of ideas and discourse between the students and teaching staff in a very open manner, which was a tremendous change from the rigid top down and rote approach to studying prevalent in the Asian context. This gave me self-confidence and made me think more dynamically and creatively.

“This is an industry which you live and breathe. You must have a passion for it. It is not a job, it is a way of life.”

ALUMNIIN FOCUSNAME: Captain Suresh Emmauel AbishegamCOURSE: Mate’s/Master’s Certificates of CompetencyBUSINESS: The Azimuth Group of Companies

Silver celebrations for a way of life

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 1 1

The Australian Maritime College’s International Exchange Program continues to bring the world to

Tasmania’s door.Nadia Bohun, Birger Hamborg, and Alexander Schultz from the Jade University of Applied Sciences in Germany completed a four-month international exchange at AMC prior to Christmas.

The trio, who completed the first semester of their Masters of Science (Maritime Management) at Jade, will receive credit for four second semester AMC units and graduate with an AMC Graduate Diploma in Maritime and Logistics Management.

While the group intends to return to Germany to complete their Masters, AMC Department head Dr. Stephen Cahoon said students could then complete the remaining four AMC units by distance education.

‘’This means they could end up with two masters without having to do all the units, due to the recognition of specific common units.’’

Dr. Cahoon said the exchange program had been running for about 10 years and negotiations were currently underway to develop other exchange options related to Jade seafaring students, at either the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Miss Bohun said that the exchange to AMC was a prime opportunity to experience another learning environment.

‘’As well as improving our grasp of English, it’s a chance to meet students of other nationalities and experience different cultures and different behaviours.’’

Dr. Cahoon said the Jade students had brought their understanding of ports and shipping in Europe, which added value to classroom discussions and enhanced other students learning.

‘’The Jade exchange also exposes our students to European cultural differences. It keeps our programs and classrooms internationalised, and a cultural melting pot.’’

The trio said they had been

impressed with the teaching structure at AMC.

‘’In Germany we only have a two hour lecture. So the lecturers just talk at us and go through a slide. Here we have a one hour lecture and a one hour workshop, so we can immediately apply all the tools,’’ Miss Bohun said.

Dr. Cahoon said the exchange program with AMC would have flow-on benefits to both students and industry that employ them.

‘’Besides gaining logistics knowledge, in Australian and Asian context, to complement their Jade studies, these students have now enhanced their cross-cultural competence by being in classes and social situations with many nationalities they would not normally meet,’’ he said.

‘’What this means for industry is that these students are more confident and able to recognise and appreciate the various cultural differences they will come across while working in the maritime and logistics world of international trade.’’

Logistics exchange a benefit for industry and students

South Australia looks set to take on the title of ‘the maritime state’ with several key partnerships and collaborations formed between AMC and educational institutions.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between AMC and Le Fevre High School in Adelaide to help develop curriculum and encourage participation in maritime studies in South Australia.

The Maritime High School is a dynamic initiative developed by the State Government that will deliver work ready graduates to the local booming defence industry and students to the tertiary maritime education sector, especially AMC.

A Heads of Agreement has been signed with the Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy (AMFA) who have campuses in Adelaide and Port Lincoln.

The AMFA agreement provides AMC with a strategic opportunity to respond to the training challenges posed by the Federal Government’s Maritime Reform Agenda, as it will help facilitate an expansion of international and coastal seafaring study opportunities in Australia.

A collaboration between AMC and Flinders University has been formed where students enrolled in Maritime Electronics or Naval Architecture will divide their time between Adelaide and Launceston.

The collaboration with Flinders University will give their students an amazing education experience by exposing them to the many unique facilities housed at the Launceston campus.

These developments in South Australia represent a strategic opportunity for AMC to grow and provide much needed capacity to the maritime industry.

With the support and encouragement of the State Government, local maritime industries and education providers, AMC will continue to foster the many opportunities presented to it in South Australia.

AMC strengthens links in South Australia

Birger Hamborg, Nadia Bohun and Alexander Schultz

Page 12: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

Jim Travers AMSAT International Chief Executive Officer

What is AMSAT:

AMSAT International is a specialist consultancy, established in 2008 by the former management of Australian Marine Science and Technology Ltd, a multi-agency non-profit enterprise that provided international project development and management services for a consortium of national marine-related institutions.

AMSAT International carries on similar work, providing tailored services for government and academic institutions engaged in international cooperative projects.

What services do you provide for AMC?

We provide specialised consultancy services to AMC in support of the identification, development and implementation of international cooperation projects. Using our experience and networks we assist AMC staff to identify projects by matching the capability with appropriate source of support and international counterparts. We then coordinate development of the concept, discussions with partners, development of the proposal and finalisation of contracts or grants.

We have offices and/or representatives in several countries and these provide an effective level of communication and practical logistical support for travel, consulting, training, workshops, meetings and data collection.

Can you give me some examples of the countries involved?

Projects typically include research, vocational training, education, strategic planning, policy development and curriculum design. Sectors have included maritime safety and security, workforce conditions, logistics, seafood quality and safety, engineering, aquaculture and fisheries management.

Asia has been the main focus to date but this is now expanding to include the Indian and Pacific regions. Current examples include: a national maritime workforce training strategy for East Timor; a standardised curriculum for education of food inspection and certification professionals in SE Asia; and a STCW curriculum review and upgrade for the Bangladesh Marine College.

In your opinion, how is AMC perceived in the international marketplace?

It is clear that AMC is widely known, is well respected and is readily accepted as a development partner in the marine and maritime sphere.

Our dealings involve direct experience through project-based cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions and potential counterparts are always receptive and eager to collaborate when contacted by AMSAT INTERNATIONAL on behalf of AMC. It is a strong brand and somewhat unique, particularly in the southern hemisphere.

For further information email [email protected] or phone (02) 6282 3725

The Australian Maritime College’s history of educational collaboration on a global scale continues.

A group of visiting Indonesian academics joined forces with AMC staff to develop a relationship of mutual learning.

As part of an AusAID Australian Leadership Awards initiative, academics from the Jakarta Fisheries University have recently spent a month at AMC up-skilling in their relevant discipline areas and improving their marine teaching methods.

Program co-ordinator and AMC lecturer David Milne said the visit was particularly focussed on the areas of aquaculture, seafood policy, fisheries management, vessel

engineering and sustainability.“We aim to ensure that a group like this

can take home a suite of materials that have long-term teaching benefits for them,’’ Mr Milne said.

“It’s a train the trainer situation. It has long-term multiplier effects at both an educational and industry level.’’

Mr. Milne said this was the second visit from Jakarta Fisheries University academics, and AMC was also fostering programs in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

“This is what AMC does well. We have collaborative groups coming through all the time. We consider it part of our obligations on an international scale,’’ he said.

“Now that a lot of the trade barriers have been removed, the marine sector is international by nature. We need to continue to be at the forefront of this.’’

The AMC is assisted in fostering international collaborations in the ASEAN area by Australian Marine Science and Technology (AMSAT) (see article right)

“We can operate in Indonesia really effectively because we have access to the AMSAT office there,’’ Mr. Milne said.

“It becomes much simpler for us in the long run if we can just focus on what we do really well, and on the client and what they need, and leave the rest to Jim and his team at AMSAT, because that is what they do well.’’

Sharing knowledge on an international scale

Q A N D A W I T H :

1 2 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

The Australian Maritime College celebrated a decade of cutting-edge hydrodynamic research at its purpose-built Model Test Basin this year.

The Model Test Basin is a state-of-the-art facility used by engineering students and national research organisations to conduct hydrodynamic experiments that simulate maritime operations within shallow water environments such as ports, harbours, rivers and coastal regions.

Waves are generated by an electrically-driven wavemaker that features 16 individual computer-controlled paddles capable of producing a wide variety of wave forms.

The basin is also fitted with a video motion capture system and variable wind generator.

Model Test Basin Manager, Gregor Macfarlane, said the facility had exceeded all expectations regarding the quantity and variety of projects undertaken and the level of research and commercial income generated over the past decade.

“There has been a significant increase in the amount of activity within the Model Test Basin since it opened, to the point where the facility is now booked 90 per cent of the time,” Mr Macfarlane said.

AMC engineering students, particularly those enrolled in ocean engineering or marine and offshore engineering, use the

Model Test Basin to conduct laboratory and practical sessions as part of their study.

The area has also been used for several major research projects, including partnerships with government agencies and private corporations such as the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Oceanlinx, Incat, Rio Tinto, Austal Ships and Newcastle Port Corporation.

The facility has been designed to allow a wide variety of different types

of experiments to be conducted - from port design; to innovative wave energy technology; to man-made surfing facilities - and is used by organisations from around the world.

It has featured in several television documentaries and news programmes including ABC TV science programmes Quantum and Catalyst; and a feature series on renewable energy on the Discovery Channel.

Test Basin celebrates 10 years

Indonesian academics on their tour of AMC’s facilities

John Ambong Batie in the Model Test Basin

Page 13: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

Jim Travers AMSAT International Chief Executive Officer

It all started on a dam in a paddock in Margate, southern Tasmania. Fred Barrett would race radio-controlled boats against his mates and dream he was sailing in the Admiral’s Cup.

“There were two years in particular, when I was a teenager, when I busily worked throughout the winter on designs of boats for my friends,” Fred said.

“Then, in the summer, we’d compete with eight or nine boats on the local dam. We threw cow patties into the water for markers.

“It was very basic stuff, but it’s from there that I found my love for design and building and giving to people.”

From these early days Fred began offshore racing at 16 and started competing in Sydney to Hobart yacht races at 17. Following high school, he enrolled in a maritime engineering degree at AMC.

At that time (the late ‘80s) the college was in its infancy and the courses focussed on the building of off-shore structures. But Fred and several other students spoke to the lecturers about their interest in boat building, so the degree was adjusted to accommodate their interests.

The scope of courses at AMC today is, of course, much wider – so much so that Fred is now a lecturer in yacht and small craft design.

After graduating, Fred worked at the Tasmanian passenger/car ferry producer, Incat. “If you’re into the construction of boats,” he explained, “It’s good to head to a shipyard for your first job. It shows you how boats work.”

“In the four years that I was there, quite a lot of boats rolled out,” he said.

“It was an exciting time, but still the dream was always to go yachting.”

Fred applied for lots of positions around

the world, just to “see what was out there”. “Then, at 3am one morning, I got a FAX

from Sparkman and Stephens in New York, a company famous for designing racing and motor yachts,’’ he said.

“They flew me over to Manhattan, which was my first time outside of Australia, and I started designing and sailing professionally for them in Long Island Sound. It was quite a culture shock. I left the space and quiet of Margate to live in a Manhattan sub-let, which was across the road from former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and up the street from the United Nations.’’

Returning to Hobart in 2000 for family reasons, Fred got his first taste of running a small business: “I’d do okay, then struggle a bit, then do okay again.”

A turning point was when he was head-hunted by McConaghy Boats to project manage the build of Morning Glory, which was the first canting keel super maxi in the world (the keel could be swung in different directions to balance the yacht).

This project led to an invitation to join the Spanish Movistar Sailing Team, which was competing in the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race). Fred joined as Technical Manager for the build, and stayed on to become Shore Manager for the 2005/06 event.

These days, back in Hobart, Fred Barrett Yacht Design and Naval Architecture works on projects such as vessels for fish farms and catamarans for commercial fishing, as well as high performance yacht design.

Recently, one of his yacht designs was selected from among 18 of the world’s best to be included in the World Match Racing Tour.

“The coalface of this industry is in Europe, but Tassie is quite an iconic place for a yacht designer to come from. It’s the end of the Sydney to Hobart, and a lot of very famous yachtsmen come from here – although not too many yacht designers.

“Hopefully, that’s something I can change.”

STUDENTIN FOCUSNAME: Kirsteen Roberts

COURSE: Diploma of Nautical Science (Deck Watchkeeper)

Are you studying on campus or via distance:On campus. The simulator and tutorial sessions enhance the level of understanding of the theory learnt in class.Tell us about your job? What does your role entail?I am a deck cadet at Farstad Shipping Indian Pacific. I completed 18 months’ seatime before starting at AMC. I worked on ten different Farstad (offshore) vessels, supplying production and drilling rigs with cargo. I also got to do many rigs shifts, including towing an oil rig across the Tasman and bringing one back from Singapore. I also saw a brand new rig being floated off a heavy lift ship.What do you enjoy most about being a cadet?I really enjoy anchor handling work and am looking forward to getting a lot more ship handling experience in the next couple of years before I come back to AMC to do my mate’s/master’s ticket.I also really enjoy working on deck and contributing to maintaining our ships, ensuring that they are all in prime condition and can continue to be depended on for years to come.How do you think studying at AMC will set you up for your career?After completing my diploma I will be able to sit my oral exam with an AMSA examiner to get my deck watch-keepers certificate of competency. Once I have that I will be able to go back to work on the ships as a second officer. Why did you choose to study at AMC?My company prefers their cadets to study here.What was the highlight of your study experience at AMC?The best part about doing this course is learning a lot more about the equipment that is used on board the ship everyday and understanding why we follow the procedures that we do. The simulator sessions are especially fun for doing this.You spoke at the Australian Shipowners Association Conference earlier this year. How was that?It was really interesting. I wish I could have spent longer there. I talked about my time as a cadet, the experiences that I have had, and the things I have learnt so far.Would you recommend studying at AMC to others? Yes. AMC has very good teaching staff who have so much experience to share and who are able to relate the theory we are learning to our onboard experiences.

The winds of destiny

ALUMNIIN FOCUSFred BarrettCOURSE: Bachelor of Engineering (naval architecture)BUSINESS: Fred Barrett Yacht Design and Naval Architecture.

Two AMC honours students and their supervisor are at the forefront of the fight for sustainable fishing in the Pacific.

Fisheries management lecturer Nick Rawlinson, of the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability (NCMCRS), and students William Kewo and June Kwanairara are investigating the potential for the reintroduction of pole and line fishing into the Pacific region.

The pole and line fishing method primarily targets surface schools of tuna (skipjack and yellowfin). Fishers use a pole, line, hook and artificial lure to catch tuna that are attracted to the boat by live baitfish. The method, which was common in the Pacific in the ‘80s, lost popularity as it wasn’t as economically viable as purse seining.

Although the large nets used for surrounding schools of tuna can be extremely effective, purse seining has since come under scrutiny by organisations like Greenpeace, due to bycatch (non-tuna) species that are incidentally caught.

Another driver is the current nature of the European seafood markets. Pole and line caught tuna are seen as more desirable.

The two AMC Honours students received funding from the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to support their fieldwork.

The FFA is an organisation that provides expert fisheries management and development advice to member countries.

The FFA’s main aim is to build national capacity and regional solidarity for the sustainable management of tuna in the Pacific.

Mr Rawlinson, who spent many years working in the Pacific Islands fishing industry prior to his time at AMC, said that NCMCRS, in conjunction with AMC Search, had been running courses for the FFA for a number of years now.

“The FFA’s main areas of initial interest were Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, so it was ideal for William and June,’’ he said.

William and June, both AusAID scholarship recipients, are in the final days of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Environment) with Honours degrees, majoring in Fisheries Management. AusAID is a federal government initiative that provides funding to international students to undertake study in Australia in priority areas of development for their home countries.

The pair has spent two months in their home countries in local villages assessing the potential socio-economic impacts of the reintroduction of pole and line fishing, and asking the villagers how they might like to be involved.

Traditionally, pole and line fishing operated on a royalty system, where boats would have to pay local resource owners for the privilege. The introduction of purse seining saw the industry run primarily offshore by foreign fishing vessels and the flow of benefits to local communities were limited.

Mr Rawlinson said the on-ground reaction to William’s and June’s research has reportedly been very positive, as community members were pleased to be involved in consultations during the early stages of this proposal.

“Villagers have made it clear that all new arrangements need to be transparent and inclusive, with a good distribution of benefits.”

Mr Rawlinson said that the partnership with the FFA had not only allowed William and June to work towards an honours level degree, but to do research directly relevant to their countries.

“I have seen their enthusiasm. The project is something that they can directly relate to and they can see the potential benefits that could be realised in their home countries,’’ he said.

Making a difference one country at a time

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 1 3

William Kewo and June Kwanairara

Page 14: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

1 4 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1

It’s a big task to make law “fun”, but Peter Cain, lecturer with the AMC Department of Maritime and Logistics Management rose to the challenge.

Peter has just returned from leading a successful set of workshops with Associated Marine Australia (Associated Marine) in Melbourne and Sydney.

Widely considered to be the leading marine insurer in Australia and New Zealand, Associated Marine insures major commercial shipping against loss and damage (hull insurance) and also against loss and damage for cargo carried on ships (cargo insurance).

AMC has a well-established relationship with Associated Marine. The relationship has included AMC running tailored week-long residential units from their MBA program for sponsored Associated Marine professional staff. On this occasion, Peter, previously a practising lawyer who has taught industry representatives in Singapore, Korea and Malaysia, was asked to design 2-day workshops on a maritime law topic (cargo claims).

“I have had great feedback and I already have numerous advance bookings for next year’s workshops.”

Damage or loss to cargo often coincides with damage to ships and the marine environment and are typically complicated and contentious. Cargo claims can prove to be “legal minefields” involving numerous parties such as cargo owners, ship owners, maritime service providers and marine insurers.

Associated Marine used the AMC workshops as an internal professional development exercise, bringing in staff from all over Australia. They also brought in clients of the company and insurance brokers. Peter is already working with Associated Marine on a follow-up series of workshops next year on the topic of hull claims.

‘’Working with industry is just a wonderful opportunity. Having a dialogue with industry is a win/win for both parties. AMC always benefits from learning about changing commercial practices and industry trends,’’ Peter said.

Shelagh Bock, Underwriting Operations Manager with Associated Marine and AMC MBA degree holder, helped Peter to organise the workshops.

“I have had great feedback and I already have numerous advance bookings for next year’s workshops.”

It seems that Peter may have accomplished the very difficult task of making the study of law enjoyable.

“In Sydney, a lovely lady said to me – ‘I don’t know if I should say this, but I am having fun!’,’’ he said. “Law can be pretty dry, so I’ll take that as a compliment!”

AMC working with industry

STAFFIN FOCUSNAME: Capt. Ian Rodrigues

POSITION: Manager of the Centre for Maritime Simulations

Greatest achievement at AMC?Managing the $7 million upgrade of the

Simulations Centre. It is accepted industry wide as the most sophisticated simulation centre and the benchmark in modern day ship simulations.

Why is an institution like the AMC so important to the maritime industry?

AMC is one of the few training and education establishments that is an industry service provider. Almost all of its trainees gain employment within the industry.

Facilities like the Simulation Centre are what set AMC apart from the rest. The CMS caters to all clientele of the maritime industry. From the pre-sea new entrant, to the deck watchkeeper, ship master, and pilot training. The sophisticated edge of port development and ship feasibility studies, and applied research, all are facilitated at the CMS.

At AMC we model the port not the chart. Our strengths lie in our ability to model ports, areas and ships in-house, and our ability to effect changes during studies is unsurpassed.

What did you do before joining AMC? I had a career at sea spanning almost 20

years. I started in August 1979, as a deck cadet with the South East Asia Shipping Co., Bombay, and progressed successively through the

ranks, becoming Captain in 1994, with Univan Ship Management, Hong Kong. I have sailed both internationally and with the Australian shipping industry and am able to apply my experiences for the benefit of the industry.

An incident worth remembering?On July 8, 1996, I was on board the Ro-

Ro M.V. Allison (ex Inagua Tania) at San Juan in Puerto Rico. The vessel was in port

undertaking cargo operations and at the same time undergoing a major engine repair.

Hurricane Bertha was hovering off the coast and was to pass north of Puerto Rico. A day or so prior, we were instructed by the US Coast Guard to evacuate the port. We couldn’t because one of the ships engines was still undergoing major repairs. Even if we tried on one engine, we could not outrun the hurricane.

In consultation with the US Coast Guard, a decision was made to stay put and take all necessary precautions to ride out the hurricane in port.

At around 1700 local time the last of the emergency service people left the ship and went to seek shelter. They told us we were on our own until the storm dissipated. There were 12 people on board. The maximum number of lines and wires were put out, gangways lifted, all deck items secured, one engine was running de-clutched.

At around 1830 hours Bertha arrived and announced her arrival with the loudest noise of wind howling I have ever heard. For about 30 minutes we were shaken, strained, whipped by rain, and blasted with the accompanying winds and rain that were in excess of 70 knots. Then, just as Bertha came, she went. All of a sudden... silence.

Did you know?The AMC website has a new Career Hub to support an ongoing relationship with our alumni and maritime industry contacts, as well as providing opportunities for our existing students.

Career Hub is a centrally-managed FREE service where you can promote any positions vacant within your company.

If you register on Career Hub you can upload jobs for free, manage job details and update contact details via the employer console. For a nominal fee, members can also have targeted emails sent out to students in specific study areas and/or majors.

For more information on Career Hub visit www.amc.edu.au/career-hub, or email [email protected] or phone (03) 6226 2511.

Captain Ian Rodrigues

Peter Cain

Page 15: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

HYDROGRAPHYA new practical postgraduate hydrography course is currently being developed and is expected to be a popular course choice from 2013. There are currently no civilian training programmes in hydrography within Australia, yet market research has revealed growing demand. “AMC is already equipped to deliver courses in this resource-intensive discipline,” Art Shrimpton from the National Centre for Ports and Shipping said.Certificate (Coastal Hydrography) and Diploma (Hydrography) courses at postgraduate levels are proposed, using a flexible delivery mode over one to three years. This will enable students from a wide variety of industry fields to continue working while studying. There is a mix of on-campus and off-campus units; including coastal processes and measurement, underwater acoustics and acoustic sensing, and offshore geotechnics and marine geophysics.Hydrographers work in a range of fields, including for: the oil and gas industry, survey companies, offshore design and construction businesses, marine civil engineering contractors, dredging companies and port authorities. “The course will be attractive to professionals wishing to re-train, particularly those with seafaring qualifications, but could also benefit those in science, engineering and spatial industries,” Mr Shrimpton said.

For more information, email [email protected] or phone (03) 6324 9690.

MARITIME STUDIES (SPECIALISATION)AMC has recently introduced a postgraduate program in Maritime Studies to complement its undergraduate programs. You can now study by distance for a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master’s degree in a named specialist area. In 2012, three specialisations will be available – Maritime Safety, Maritime Policy and Fisheries Management.The primary aim of the program is to provide a professional development route for people who are involved with, or operate in, the maritime space, but it will also be of interest to anybody who has an interest in maritime affairs. It may be of particular interest to Chief Mates, Masters or Marine Engineers who are thinking of ‘coming ashore’.You can enter the Graduate Certificate if you have a Bachelor Degree, or an Advanced Diploma and extensive relevant work experience, or extensive relevant work experience and demonstrable potential to undertake work at postgraduate level. The Graduate Certificate consists of two core units, The Maritime Domain, which establishes the context and International Maritime Policy which examines the extensive fields of public and private policy dealing with the sea. Students then complete two units from their chosen specialist area:

• Maritime Safety: International Shipping and Maritime Safety

• Maritime Policy: Maritime Politics and Policy-making

• Fisheries Management: Fishing Industry and Operations and Fisheries Management.

Students undertake two additional core units and two more specialist units to obtain a Graduate Diploma before progressing to the Master’s stage which involves the submission

of a dissertation.The whole program is equivalent to three semesters of full time study but most students will elect to study one or two units per semester.

For further details, visit the AMC website or contact Associate Professor Alistair Broatch on (03) 6324 9878 or email [email protected]. Or alternatively contact David Wilcox on (03) 6324 9753 or email: [email protected].

MARINE STUDIESThe high standard of the AMC’s applied marine studies program has been recognised by the international Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). IMarEST is the leading international membership body for marine professionals, and boasts a global network of over 15,000 members. The AMC’s National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability (NCMCRS) offers a suite of undergraduate and post graduate applied marine studies degrees under the banner, ‘Marine Environment’. This highly regarded programme includes majors in Aquaculture, Fisheries Management and Marine Conservation.As one of just two institutions in Australia offering IMarEST accredited degree programs, graduates of the ‘Marine Environment’ program are recognised as meeting, in full or in part, the academic requirements to be IMarEST registered or chartered marine scientists.Institute accreditation means that NCMCRS Bachelor, Bachelor with Honours, Masters, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programs have been evaluated against a rigorous set of criteria to ensure the highest standards in course relevance, content, delivery and assessment.Graduates are recognised as meeting, in full or in part (dependent on degree obtained), the academic requirements for registration with IMarEST. The certification allows for graduates who have completed a certified AMC degree since 2009 to apply for registration with the prestigious international scientific organisation. “Accreditation provides a strong link to industry and acknowledges the relevance of the NCMCRS degrees to industry. It will give students a globally competitive edge,” degree co-ordinator, Dr Chris Burke said. For more information about AMC Aquaculture, Fisheries Management and Marine Conservation programs visit www.amc.edu.au/marine-conservation-and-sustainability/study

MARITIME ENGINEERINGAMC’s Master of Maritime Engineering is helping industry to fill the global shortage of qualified maritime engineers.The course is designed to allow qualified engineers from other disciplines to bridge the gap between other engineering disciplines (like aeronautical and civil) and the maritime industry. Course coordinator Dr. Jonathan Binns said that the Master’s program was designed to assist clients, (such as defence organisations) to find people qualified to supervise and engage with naval architects on a higher level.“There is a recognised shortage of maritime engineers everywhere. Not just on ships, but on shore as well,’’ Dr. Binns said.He said AMC had taken its experience with

the products of maritime engineering at an undergraduate level and upgraded the Master’s course to provide a holistic view of the maritime environment for its students. The Master’s program can be completed in 1 ½ years full time, or over 3 years part-time.

For further information contact Jonathan Binns on (03) 63249847 or email [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICSA new Bachelor of International Logistics (Freight Forwarding) degree will be available on campus or by-distance from 2012. Head of Maritime and Logistics Management, Dr. Stephen Cahoon, said it would be the first degree offered in Australia for the international freight forwarding profession. “Global trade is a central part of Australia’s economy and demand for qualified staff in this critical area of international logistics is sure to exceed supply,” he said.“This exciting new course has been developed with considerable input from the Australian Federation of Freight Forwarders to ensure it meets industry needs.”

The degree, offered over three years full-time or part-time equivalent, includes majors in both International Logistics Management and Freight Forwarding with a minor in Freight Transport. Graduates will learn to identify problems and provide solutions in a range of relevant fields, including freight forwarding, customs broking, cargo regulatory systems, logistics management and global procurement.Also from February 2012, a new postgraduate program in Freight Systems Management will be taught at separate week-long sessions held at various locations around Australia throughout the year. This has been specially designed for managers engaged in integrated bulk systems in Australia’s coal and iron ore industries. The courses focus on understanding the dynamics and structure of supply chain systems; efficiencies gained from chain integration; and how firms participating in the chain can achieve business success.Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate are required to attend three week-long residential sessions; those in the Graduate Diploma must attend six residential sessions over a two-year period (contact the department for details of future locations).

The Master degree also involves a research dissertation with some participation in the residential sessions as well as personalised supervision.

Students who enter at Graduate Certificate level and complete the four units of that course will have these units fully recognised when progressing into the Graduate Diploma or MBA program.

For further information about both these programs email [email protected]

AUSTRALIA,S Institute

FOR MARITIME EDUCATION, training and RESEARCH

An institute of the University of Tasmaniawww.amc.edu.au

• Coastal and Ocean Seafaring

• Maritime Engineering

• International Business and Logistics

• Marine Environment

Thinking about further study or professional development?

I S S U E 1 | A B O V E B O A R D 1 5

Page 16: Above Board Newsletter Dec 2011

Australia’s national centre for maritime education and training, the Australian Maritime College (AMC) provides an extensive range of maritime training courses, consultancies and publications through its wholly owned subsidiary company, AMC Search Ltd. AMC Search Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation, and has ISO 9001:2008 Quality Accreditation. Training programmes, some of which can be provided on client premises, include:

Course information, including scheduled dates, fees and content is available on the following website: http://www.amcsearch.com.au Alternatively, if you would like to discuss how AMC Search can meet your specific training needs, contact: Ms. Catherine Wilson General Manager, Operations Telephone: (03) 6324 9852 Email: [email protected]

EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME TRAINING, CONSULTANCY AND RESEARCH

Dynamic Positioning (Basic & Advanced) Revalidation Deck, Certificate of Sea Safety Training Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting GMDSS Renewal Chief Integrated Ratings Ship Security Officer Tanker Safety Safe Bulk Loading Practice Fast Rescue Craft

Australia’s national centre for maritime education and training, the Australian Maritime College (AMC) provides an extensive range of maritime training courses, consultancies and publications through its wholly owned subsidiary company, AMC Search Ltd. AMC Search Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation, and has ISO 9001:2008 Quality Accreditation. Training programmes, some of which can be provided on client premises, include:

Course information, including scheduled dates, fees and content is available on the following website: http://www.amcsearch.com.au Alternatively, if you would like to discuss how AMC Search can meet your specific training needs, contact: Ms. Catherine Wilson General Manager, Operations Telephone: (03) 6324 9852 Email: [email protected]

EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME TRAINING, CONSULTANCY AND RESEARCH

Dynamic Positioning (Basic & Advanced) Revalidation Deck, Certificate of Sea Safety Training Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting GMDSS Renewal Chief Integrated Ratings Ship Security Officer Tanker Safety Safe Bulk Loading Practice Fast Rescue Craft

Australia’s national centre for maritime education and training, the Australian Maritime College (AMC) provides an extensive range of maritime training courses, consultancies and publications through its wholly owned subsidiary company, AMC Search Ltd. AMC Search Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation, and has ISO 9001:2008 Quality Accreditation. Training programmes, some of which can be provided on client premises, include:

Course information, including scheduled dates, fees and content is available on the following website: http://www.amcsearch.com.au Alternatively, if you would like to discuss how AMC Search can meet your specific training needs, contact: Ms. Catherine Wilson General Manager, Operations Telephone: (03) 6324 9852 Email: [email protected]

EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME TRAINING, CONSULTANCY AND RESEARCH

Dynamic Positioning (Basic & Advanced) Revalidation Deck, Certificate of Sea Safety Training Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting GMDSS Renewal Chief Integrated Ratings Ship Security Officer Tanker Safety Safe Bulk Loading Practice Fast Rescue Craft

Australia’s national institute for maritime training and education, the Australian Maritime College (AMC) provides an extensive range of maritime training courses, consultancies and publications through its wholly owned

subsidiary company, AMC Search Ltd.

AMC Search Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation, and has ISO 9001:2008 Quality Accreditation.

Training programmes, some of which can be provided on client premises, include:

Course information, including scheduled dates, fees and content is available at www.amcsearch.com.au

Alternatively, if you would like to discuss how AMC Search can meet your specific

training needs, contact:Ms. Catherine Wilson

General Manager, OperationsTelephone: (03) 6324 9852

Email: [email protected]

EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME TRAINING, CONSULTANCY & RESEARCH

• Dynamic Positioning (Basic & Advanced)

• Revalidation Deck,• Certificate of Sea Safety Training• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting• GMDSS Renewal

• Chief Integrated Ratings• Ship Security Officer• Tanker Safety• Safe Bulk Loading Practice• Fast Rescue Craft

Born for the sea

Vikki Koumis was destined for a life at sea. Her Greek father was a seafarer before migrating to Australia and her

childhood was filled with stories of old Greek shipowners who transformed and ‘made’ the country’s shipping industry.

“I would go fishing with my Dad in the Melbourne Port area. We would sit on the wavebreaker under the West Gate Bridge, which is long gone, in a spot where the container terminal is separated from the tankers,” Vikki said.

‘’I knew then all I wanted to do was own ships of my own.’’

Vikki is in the process of making that dream a reality. She has recently set up a shipping company in Singapore, called Aussie Carriers Pty Ltd, that will concentrate on the dry bulk market sector.

“My investors are from Greece and they control seven bulkers and three contracts of affreightment. I am here to generate more business and expand my presence in the Asia-Pacific region,’’ she said.

“We have dry vessels and cargos of various sizes, including a contract of affreightment from Santana to Bahrain with iron ore; another with grains from Australia to the Persian Gulf; and a contract of minerals from Greece to Amsterdam.”

Vikki, who already had an Economics degree from Monash University in Melbourne, was one of the first students to undertake the AMC’s Bachelor of Business (Maritime Management) degree in 1999.

“I had tried to get work as a trainee in many shipping companies in Melbourne to no avail. It wasn’t until the managing director of PacRim, Michael Kudelka, gave me two hours of his time and some priceless information about the way I should approach my entrance into shipping, that I decided that AMC offered what I needed. So I successfully applied for two scholarships and came to Launceston,” she said.

One of Vikki’s scholarships was the DEETYA Equity Scholarship for Women in a non-traditional field. She said there were so few females enrolled in the maritime side of things, that AMC organised for UTAS female students to live with them on campus.

“It is traditionally a ‘boys business’, but I have never felt any different, either at AMC, or during my career.”

Vikki said that her career had now taken her all over the world.

“I initially worked with Oldendorff Carriers in Vancouver, a huge German shipowner/operator that today controls over 100 vessels. From there, I went to London and worked in one of the biggest shipbroking firms in the world, Simpson Spence & Young, where I was involved primarily on the oil analysis side and tried to break into the chartering side,” she said.

“Being a woman, without a shipping ‘family’ name it was a little more difficult to break into the ‘commercial’ side of the business so I was

patient. I pushed my way into a Greek shipping company in Athens, run by the Vafias family. The company, Stealth Maritime, had just broken into the tanker market, and I was hired to do the chartering for the three Aframaxes in the fleet.

“While I was with Stealth I was also lucky enough to go on a tanker sea voyage from Singapore to Zhoushan in China. This trip altered my idea of the industry and enhanced my love for what I do. I have since been on a few more voyages including bulkers from the Black Sea to Greece which all helps immensely during the day to day operations of ships.

”After Stealth Maritime I was hired to take over the commercial management of the tanker fleet of Polembros Shipping Limited where I held that position for seven years. In 2010 I decided to leave the company to

pursue my dream of my own company, having organised the finance with Greek interests and I then took some ‘well-deserved’ time off.”

Vikki spent five months travelling around the world.

“I volunteered with UNICEF in the Amazon rainforest and planted trees for a month, part of the reforestation program. I also did a little round the world tour and visited all my old companies prior to starting ‘Aussie Carriers’, knowing that the next few years were going to be super busy,” she said.

Vikki said living and studying at AMC was one of the best experiences of her life.

“Even after my stint in the Amazon jungle I can say, with my hand on my heart, that the best sky in the world is in Tasmania,’’ she said.

NAME: Vikki Koumis

COURSE: Bachelor of Business (Maritime Management)

BUSINESS: Aussie Carriers Pty Ltd

Did you know?Have you lost or damaged your Australian radio operator’s certificate of proficiency?

Did you know that the Office of Maritime Communications (OMC) is a specialist unit of the National Centre for Ports and Shipping at the Australian Maritime College?

On behalf of the Australian Media and Communications Authority, the Office is responsible for the management of all functions associated with marine radio examinations and certification services in Australia. OMC produces 6800 copies of the Marine Radio Operators Handbook a year.

For further information, contact the Office of Maritime Communications on 1300 365 262, or email [email protected] or visit www.amc.edu.au/omc

Vikki Koumis

The Australian Maritime College will host national and international experts in the field of fluid mechanics when it holds the 18th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC) in December 2012. The Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society (AFMS) selected AMC to host the event on the strength of its presentation and a comprehensive site review.

AFMC is a prestigious biennial conference series covering the general field of fluid mechanics in all engineering and scientific disciplines. It has been running since 1962.The conference will be chaired by AMC’s Cavitation Research Laboratory Manager, Associate Prof. Paul Brandner.

“This is an exciting opportunity to internationally showcase the Australian Maritime College and the University of Tasmania, as well as host a memorable

conference following the successful 11th AFMC in Hobart in 1992,” Dr Brandner said.

More information on the conference contact Associate Prof. Paul Brandner on (03) 63249832, or visit the AFMS website at www.afms.org.au

AMC professor Barrie Lewarn will be one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural Maritime Logistics 2012 Conference.

The two-day maritime industry conference forms part of the official program for Pacific 2012, which is a major commercial maritime and naval defence showcase for the Asia Pacific region being held from 31 January to 3 February in Sydney.Prof. Lewarn’s speech, entitled ‘Striking a balance: Standards of training in a changing operating environment’ will address

maritime education trends, approaches to the skill shortage, and the use of technology and flexible learning techniques.Also, don’t miss the AMC/AMC Search stand at Pacific 2012. The combined stand will focus on promoting distance education, training, and research opportunities, as well as offering short courses, customised training, and access to research facilities.A variety of AMC and AMC Search staff will be available at the event. If you would like to make an appointment to discuss industry issues or training requirements please contact Lee Jennings on [email protected]

For more information on Maritime Logistics 2012 or Pacific 2012 visit www.informa.com.au/conferences/transport/maritime/maritime-logistics or www.pacific2012.com.au

UP-COMING EVENTS

1 6 A B O V E B O A R D | I S S U E 1