Biological Technician
(minister for heavy things)
Gear technologist / Biologist.
What do you study and why is it important?
I am involved with the study of the marine environment from
fish stock surveys to habitat mapping. Both are important as the
former can help to set sustainable yields for fisheries and
the latter as mapping what is out there so we know more about our
world and can use it responsibly.
What will you be doing on the voyage?
Looking after the equipment, camera systems, sleds, trawls and
traplines. I also help with the deployment and retrieval of our
equipment. Another role is to help drive the video system when
taking footage off the seafloor.
Describe a “typical” day
at sea?
Up, eat and into it. We work 12 hour shifts and the vessel works
24 hours a day, so you often end up working over your shift to
help the others. My day may start with having to prepare the beam
trawl by ensuring that the cod end is tied up tight and that all
repairs have been carried out. Help launch the net off the stern,
then move up to the bridge to help log the shot. Help retrieve
the net and empty the catch from the cod end then carry it inside
to process. If the net is not damaged I will help process the catch
until another shot is required. Maybe a camera shot next so I would
help ensure that the camera system is in working then help deploy
the system (usually driving the winch on the aft deck) then switching
control over to the laboratory and walking in to help drive the
system. This can be very exciting as you try to get the system
to ‘fly’ at 2.5 to 3 metres above the seamounts. Sudden
changes can be very tricky to negotiate, but some of the footage
we collect is just superb. Depending on the terrain and the plan
we may leave the system in the water for 4 or 5 hours lifting the
camera off the seafloor to move to the next site. During this time
we change drivers as it can be very stressful. When not driving
you would be watching the look ahead camera to warn of obstacles
and controlling the system (turning cameras and lights on or off,
turning the lasers on for scaling or just changing tapes and filenames.
You also have to watch the vessel speed and ask for changes if
necessary. During this we may get a break to eat or grab a quick
tea or coffee. It is very intense work. Next piece of equipment
to deploy may be the Sherman so off to the back deck I would go
to get it ready then help deploy this 1.3 tonne piece of steel
then off up to the bridge to record its progress and advise when
it is on the seafloor then when it is retrieved to help empty the
cod end and bring the sample inside and sort the catch. Given the
terrain that we send Sherman to sample it often needs a bit of
attention to keep it in shape (replacing break-away chains or repairing
the cod end).
Where were you educated?
Monash University, Clayton, Victoria.
Australian Maritime College.
How did you become interested in the ocean?
I have always been in, on or around the ocean and have been so
since I was a boy.
Do you get seasick? And if so, any tips on how not to?
Very rarely do I get seasick, I usually spend a lot of time outside
working on the equipment and find that the fresh (sometimes a
little too fresh) air helps and being able to sea that the platform
you are on is definitely moving. When you are stuck inside looking
at a screen your brain gets confusing messages as the whole room
is moving, and your balance organs tell you that you are moving
but your eyes say no.
What do you enjoy about your work?
Getting gout there and collecting the samples that help Australia
to manage our marine resources. I also like designing, helping
build and then tuning the sampling equipment to make it work
better. It is also fascinating what we collect from our oceans.
What are some of the challenges you face?
These vary depending on the work from trying to preserve and store
the samples we collect to repairing the sampling equipment when
the deck is moving about underneath you and the ocean is doing
its best to give you another thorough wash.
What have you learned/discovered? What do you hope to
learn?
I have been part of teams that have collected many new species,
filmed seafloor that has never been seen before and successfully
designed and had constructed pieces of sampling equipment that
have proved to be very useful. I enjoy being a part of a pioneering
team that is working for the benefit of Australia.
How do you spend your spare time?
My spare time on voyages is spent down the gym, reading, eating
then sleeping. Outside work I live on a 55 foot yacht with my
family (wife and two boys) and am kept busy with their activities
and getting away at weekends to sail about our beautiful waterways.
