The Hon Dan Tehan MP to tour the new hydrography training ground at Warrnambool campus

In collaboration with industry partners, primarily IIC Technologies, Deakin has launched a new training offering in critical hydrographic surveying. Hydrographic surveying is a critical skill for Australia’s future, including our national security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

In Western Victoria, it has long been recognized that there is an unfulfilled need for the provision of qualified hydrographic surveyors to conduct surveys in support of the AHO, LINZ and other National Charting programmes. Significant industries such as oil and gas, and increasingly, the environmental and marine sciences disciplines, likewise have significant need for such skills.

The Hon Dan Tehan MP will be taken on a guided boat tour along the Hopkins River to view the new hydrography training being conducted on campus.

"I am very much looking forward to touring the new hydrography training ground at Deakin University's Warrnambool campus and observing the work being undertaken in this very important area," said the Hon Dan Tehan, MP.

IIC Technologies have engaged broadly with industry, academia and the National Authorities across the region and have received strong support from all areas for the conduct of this course. Despite offers of support from all the academic institutes engaged, IIC have chosen to partner with Deakin for its many resources, notably qualified staff, hydrographic survey equipment and campus facilities including accommodation.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said:

"Deakin is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in the delivery of such a program, being the only university in Australia with in-house seabed mapping capabilities."

The Warrnambool campus geography provides an ideal location for delivery of the practical and assessment phases.

"The campus locations provide onsite accommodation and an all-weather training location in the Hopkins River Estuary with direct access from campus jetties," said School of Life and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Dan Ierodiaconou. "Offshore, direct access to the Southern Ocean provides great opportunities for practical lessons and assessments."

The IIC Technologies FIG/IHO/ICA endorsed global delivery S-5B course is unique as it is the only course with endorsement at this time. The IIC Course is based on the provision of a theoretical component that is delivered via distance learning methodologies over a period of not less than 10 weeks, then practical and assessment phases of four and three weeks respectively.

The deep-water harbour of Portland is a one-hour drive to the west of Deakin's Warrnambool campus and provides a unique location for work-integrated learning supported by an extensive Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) infrastructure offshore to characterise the oceanographic context.