Marine Science Support Facilities
Support
The Marine Science Support Section provides technical support and advice for marine science research undertaken on Antarctic Division charted vessels, and other marine science projects. We design, operate and maintain computer based data logging systems that measure, display and record many types of information every ten seconds. This information covers topics ranging from where the ship is, the weather conditions, how deep the ocean is, to how cold and salty the water is. We design, operate and maintain commercial scale fish trawling nets as well as smaller novel sampling and fishing nets for small fish, zooplankton and plastics in the ocean. We design, operate and maintain electronic instruments that operate down to six kilometres below the surface of the ocean.
Most Marine Science Programmes are conducted from the Antarctic Research and Supply Vessel (RSV) Aurora Australis. We provide support to all researchers using RSV Aurora Australis, many of whom work for other organisations and some from other counties. The support we provide falls into six main areas with the following objectives:
- To develop, maintain and operate the permanent data logging systems on RSV Aurora Australis.
- Provide data access to internal and external researchers both during and after voyages. This includes maintaining access to archival data sets.
- Provide computer support on RSV Aurora Australis during marine science voyages.
- Provide limited support for development and maintenance of other special purpose software that deals with marine science data.
- To develop, maintain and operate the scientific instrument systems on RSV Aurora Australis.
- Provide electronic support on RSV Aurora Australis during marine science voyages.
- Provide limited support for development and maintenance of instrumentation, communication and other electronic equipment to do with the collection of marine science data.
- To develop and maintain the on-board laboratories, laboratory systems and portable laboratories used on RSV Aurora Australis.
- To develop, maintain and operate the mechanical equipment and systems used for scientific operations on RSV Aurora Australis — e.g. nets and other "over the side" sampling and measuring equipment.
- Provide technical advice on mechanical equipment and operations for marine science research.
Small Boat Services
- To supply and provide major maintenance for the small boats used at the Antarctic bases and on marine science voyages.
- Provide training and advice on small boat operations. Operate small boats performing marine science operations.
- Maintain and operate the underwater cameras used in marine science Programmes.
- Maintain the ANARE diving equipment.
- Provide advice on diving and ROV operations.
- Provide diving services to marine science.