November 2015 National Science Week Is Australia's An‐ Nual Celebration of Science and Technol‐ Ogy

CMST @ Science Week November 2015 National science week is Australia's an‐ nual celebration of science and technol‐ ogy. Thousands of individuals from stu‐ CMST News #21 dents to scientists and chefs to musi‐ The Newsletter of the Centre for Marine Science & Technology cians get involved, taking part in more

than 1000 science events across the nation. Curtin University did their part by hosting events, activities, talks and 30th Anniversary Edition showsy for ever age group. PhD stu‐ dent, Sarah Marley ably represented Welcome to CMST’s 2015 newsletter. This is a very special year for us ‐ we are 30 years old! CMST when she assisted Curtin’s Sci‐ CMST was established in 1985, as part of 2009 has been maintaining, the Acoustic ence Outreach team inform and enter‐ CMST’S VISION Festival the Western Australian Institute of Tech‐ Observatories of Australia’s Integrated tain visitors at the Science Week launch Our vision is to operate as a Centre of Excel‐

Science nology (WAIT), which a year later became Marine Observing System (IMOS; http:// at the Perth Cultural Centre on 15th and lence in marine science and technology that is

Perth 16th August. Curtin University. We are Curtin’s oldest imos.org.au). In addition, industry and recognised locally and internationally for the research centre. government have funded CMST to listen relevance of its R&D outputs, the strengths of Photo: its strategic alliances, the quality of its gradu‐ Sarah Marley persuades a group of primary schoolers to imitate the marine soundscape during Science Week. CMST creates marine‐related research to the underwater soundscape on‐and‐off programs that are both innovative and at over a hundred sites around our conti‐ ates, and the responsible and ethical approach it takes to its staff and students. applied. Australia has substantial offshore nent, accruing almost 5000 datasets in energy resources, a large fishing industry, over 20 years. This data provides a record a strong maritime defence sector, boom‐ of the marine soundscape at these loca‐ CMST’S MISSION Did you know? Our mission is to serve the current and future ing coastal and marine tourism—all over‐ tions, and lets us monitor great whales on lapping with rich and often still pristine migration, observe seasonal fishes chorus‐ needs of our customers (in industry, govern‐ ment, defence, not‐for‐profit organisations, marine ecosystems. CMST is committed ing, study ocean weather, track anthropo‐ and the community) through basic research as to the development of technologies and genic activities and identify any long‐term well as applied R&D in our core competencies methodologies, as well as environmental changes in the soundscape. in marine acoustics, hydrodynamics, and ma‐ monitoring programmes, for the sustain‐ CMST staff are co‐investigators in four rine instrumentation. Our multi‐disciplinary able development of our marine re‐ Western Australian Marine Science Insti‐ approach is central to CMST’s mission. sources. Curtin University has significant tute (WAMSI) projects within the Kimber‐ capability and infrastructure in the field of ley Science Node, studying marine marine research. CMST works closely with mammals visually and acoustically,

other centres and departments at Curtin, Continued page 2 Galindo

Archives other Australian and international univer‐ Marta CMST sities, and a wide variety of industry and Image: Photo: government bodies, both here and over‐ The image used to decorate CMST’s promotional range of t‐shirts and CMST’s Graduate Diploma in Marine Archaeology ran from seas. drink bottles, and also featured in this newsletter, was designed by 1989‐1995. Here is the 1995 class. Do you recognise anyone? CMST’s research is very much interdis‐ PhD student Marta Galindo Romero. What a multi‐talented lady! ciplinary. The Centre meldse th skills of physicists, acousticians, biologists, ecolo‐ gists, and engineers. CMST currently has CMST Seminars The Centre for Marine Science & Technology (CMST) 12 academic research staff, four technical conducts world‐class consulting, research, development and CMST holds weekly seminars, with speakers from interstate and and administrative support staff, and 20 education for the marine industry and for government overseas, as well as CMST staff. PhD students. We also have a large and agencies. Please note that the Seminar time has been changed to make very dear community of true and trusted parking easier for external attendees. casual staff, on whose brains and hands The schedule of seminars is listed on our website: For further information contact: www.cmst.curtin.edu.au/seminars Centre for Marine Science and Technology we rely at busy times. Parnum GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, AUSTRALIA CMST is involved in many large, multi‐ Iain If you would like to receive email updates regarding CMST seminars, Phone: +61 8 9266 7380 Fax: +61 8 9266 4799 simply send an email to the following address: year, collaborative, and—last but not Email: [email protected] Image: [email protected] least—fun projects. CMST built, and since

16 cmst.curtin.edu.au 1 Continued from page 1, and seabed biodiversity and geomor‐ clearance in several ports and led an international benchmarking phology using multibeam echo‐sounders. We have also been study on the accuracy of ship motion codes in shallow water, that Post‐Graduate Students and their Theses 1978 ‐ 2015 studying the effects of seismic exploration on whales, turtles, confirmed our ship clearance modelling as world’s‐best practice. Year fish, squid, lobsters, scallops, plankton etc., in collaboration with There are many attests to the quality of our research. Several Name Degree Thesis title completed Supervisor other Australian universities and funded by the offshore petro‐ members of staff act as the Australian representatives on inter‐ Andrew Woods PhD Crosstalk in stereoscopic displays 2014 Alec Duncan leum industry as well as the Fisheries Research and Develop‐ national committees to standardise underwater acoustic meas‐ Daniel Wilkes PhD The development of a fast multipole boundary element method for coupled 2013 Alec Duncan acoustic and elastic problems ment Corporation (FRDC). urement, modelling and reporting. Some staff have won fellow‐ A key area of expertise is the modelling of sound propagation ships. Many students are supported by domestic and interna‐ Grant Pusey PhD Characterisation of long‐range horizontal performance of underwater acous‐ 2011 Alec Duncan tic communication Sasha Gavrilov under water. As the Australian marine acoustic environment is tional, industry and government scholarships. The relevance of Daniel Veen PhD A smoothed particle hydrodynamics study of ship bow slamming in ocean 2011 Tim Gourlay unique due to its acoustically dense calcareous seabed, CMST our research is manifested in the number of media interviews waves Kim Klaka has had a continuous stream of sound propagation projects for and reports—sometimes exceeding 100 per year. Binghui Li PhD Acoustic observation of ice rifting and breaking events on the Antarctic ice 2010 Sasha Gavrilov shelf using remote hydro acoustic listening stations Alec Duncan industry and government, including several PhD theses. We’re living in interesting and challenging times currently with CMST staff were key contributors to the Sydney‐Kormoran our economy slowing and government cutting funds. As a result, Miles Parsons PhD An investigation of active and passive acoustic techniques to study aggregat‐ 2010 Rob McCauley ing fish species Project, which conducted a detailed 3D imaging survey of the the academic sector has recently undergone great changes re‐ Matthew Legg PhD Non‐Gaussian and non‐homogeneous Poisson models of snapping shrimp 2010 Alec Duncan two World War II shipwrecks HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormo‐ shaping its academic staff portfolio as well as support services. noise ran, which sank each other and are now located at a depth of For a self‐funded research centre like CMST such changes are Yoa‐Ting Tseng PhD Recognition and assessment of seafloor vegetation using a single beam echo 2009 Sasha Gavrilov 2500 m, 200 km off the WA coast. Several spin‐off research pro‐ unsettling and challenging—at least temporarily until “the sys‐ sounder Alec Duncan Rob McCauley jects on deep‐sea marine biology and corrosion have resulted tem regains homeostasis”. CMST has sailed through turmoil in Iain Parnum PhD Benthic habitat mapping using multibeam sonar systems 2008 Sasha Gavrilov the past and always managed to arrive back in port—safe and from this trip. A 3D exhibition is planned at the WA Museum and Alec Duncan partner institutions. sound with dry feet, ready to set sail again. What makes CMST Rudy Kloser PhD Seabed biotope characterisation based on acoustic sensing 2008 John Penrose CMST further specialises in modelling and measuring ship special are its people and our unparalleled team spirit. I am both Peter Henley PhD An improved operator interface for underwater remotely operated vehicles 2006 John Penrose under‐keel clearance, ship motions in waves and stability of off‐ proud and humbled to be leading this exceptional team of staff Susan Rennie PhD Oceanographic processes in the Perth Canyon and their impact on productiv‐ 2006 Rob McCauley shore structures. CMST has developed guidelines for under‐keel and students. Christine Erbe, Director CMST ity David Sterling PhD Performance of prawn trawl gear 2005 John Penrose gratory routes of baleen whales. The bio‐ and fisheries. Matthew Legg developed Ahmad Zakaria PhD Numerical modelling of wave propagation using higher order finite‐ 2004 John Penrose difference formulas Biology at CMST logical stream benefited greatly from Alec statistical models for sounds produced Kim Klaka PhD Roll motion of a yacht at zero Froude number 2004 John Penrose In its early days, under John Penrose's Duncan’s underwater acoustic modelling by snapping shrimp. Following comple‐ Alec Duncan PhD The measurement of underwater acoustic noise radiated by a vessel using 2004 Alexander Kritski leadership, CMST focussed on physics expertise and Justy Siwabessy’s expertise tion of their PhD’s at CMST, Iain Parnum the vessel's own towed array John Penrose and engineering. It first became in‐ in acoustic habitat mapping. and Miles Parsons joined the team as Stephen Cook MSc An investigation into wave loads on catamarans 2004 John Penrose volved in the application of acoustics to In the early 2000’s CMST expanded staff members progressing active and Justin Hoffman PhD Acoustic propagation prediction in shallow water 2004 John Penrose marine biology in the late 1980s further in areas of marine mammal be‐ passive acoustics research for the map‐ Javier Periera MSc System identification of underwater vehicles 2003 Alec Duncan John Penrose through Tim Pauly's work on the acous‐ haviour and ecological modelling with the ping of habitats and fish schools. In 2011, Tim Pauly PhD Acoustic target strength measurements of free‐swimming Antarctic krill 2003 John Penrose Christine Erbe arrived with a background tic target strength of Antarctic krill. The arrival of Chandra Salgado Kent. Research (Euphausia superba) first marine biologist, Rob McCauley, on potential impacts of underwater noise in soundscape analysis and masking. Dougal Harris PhD The downwind performance of yachts in waves 2003 John Penrose joined 20 years ago, specialising in bio‐ grew further. Marine mammal research Our biological research now covers Giles Thomas acoustics. Aspects of biology permeated extended to dolphins and pinnipeds, re‐ vocal behaviour of a plethora of mam‐ Kristoffer Grande MSc Prediction of slamming occurrences of catamarans 2003 Jinzhu Xia CMST’s strong technical framework to sulting in assessments of human distur‐ mal, fish, crustacean and even penguin John Penrose form the basis of a highly technical bio‐ bance on endangered Australian sea lions species, and our biological sounds cata‐ Justy Siwabessy PhD An investigation of the relationship between seabed typed and benthic and 2002 John Penrose bentho‐pelgaic biota using acoustic techniques logical stream. Early research included and, in collaboration with CWR, popula‐ logue is continually growing. Darlene Rick Shock MSc Investigation into ventilated hydrofoils using numerical and analytical meth‐ 2002 Krish Thiagarajan the first Australian study on responses tion estimates of local humpback whales. Ketten and Klaus Lucke are our most ods Kim Klaka of humpback whales to seismic surveys, Citizen science studies on marine mam‐ recent team members bringing expertise Greg Bush PhD Measuring Antarctic sea ice drift with upward looking sonar 1997 John Penrose collaborating with the Centre for Whale mal ecology also developed, collaborating in sensory systems of marine fauna, Andrew Woods MEng A stereoscopic video system for underwater remotely operated vehicles 1997 Tom Docherty Research (CWR) and funded by the Aus‐ with, amongst others, Swan River Trust, hearing and hearing impairment. Last Madeleine Gauntlett MSc A scientific investigation into sailing performance of HM Bark Endeavour 1995 John Penrose tralian Petroleum Production and Explo‐ Murdoch University, Two Moons Whale but not least, our marine biology stream Johnathan Binns MSc Hull‐appendage interaction of a heeled and yawed vessel 1997 John Penrose ration Association (APPEA). Research on and Marine Research Base, WAMSI, Deb has grown stronger and stronger thanks Joshua Boyd MEng Analysis of non‐linear vessel motions using linear strip theory 1996 John Penrose Ian Sutherland MAppSc Prediction of hull response to waves 1989 John Penrose responses of fishes, turtles, and squid to Thiele, and Richard Campbell. to its increasing number of highly skilled Peter Mountford MSc Spatial and temporal variation of the Perth sea breeze 1989 John Penrose seismic airguns were a world’s first. Sasha Gavrilov joined CMST and in‐ PhD students. Through strong teamwork Gary Webb MSc A prediction of vertical vessel motions in shallow water 1989 John Penrose These studies shaped guidelines for creasingly contributed to biological as‐ CMST has been able to extend its techni‐ Alec Duncan MSc A precision underwater position fixing system 1989 John Penrose cal capacity to biology and ecology, seismic operations around baleen pects of sea‐noise analysis. Our database Kim Klaka MAppSc Performance prediction of a yacht sailing in waves 1988 John Penrose whales, and were applied extensively to on Australia’s marine soundscape grew bringing innovative solutions to classical Andrew di Carlo MEng 1987 John Penrose environmental impact assessments. steadily, now covering more than a dec‐ biological, ecological problems and Dominic Palumbo MAppSc Limits on the use of the statistical analysis of echo ensembles in fisheries 1982 John Penrose Other groundbreaking work included ade, and long‐term trends such as the growing into a world‐renowned research acoustics characterising the biological compo‐ downward trend in blue whale call fre‐ centre, recognized for excellence in ma‐ Peter Petrisevich MSc 1981 John Penrose nents of soundscapes, studying chorus‐ quencies became obvious. More recently, rine bioacoustics and acoustic ecology. Nick Sofoulis MSc 1978 John Penrose ing fish aggregations, and mapping mi‐ the biological stream grew into crustacea Chandra Salgado Kent, Deputy Director, CMST

2 cmst.curtin.edu.au 15

Current Student Projects continued…/ Monserrat Landero: Using underwater acoustic data to predict distribution of demersal fish in northwest Australia A Short History of CMST

Montserrat is using active acoustic data to characterise the seafloor and the CMST originated with a fire and a group This too involved centres in other states. organisms in areas of northwest Australia. In acoustics, the amount of energy of staff at the then Western Australian CMST was particularly involved in acous‐ reflected by the seafloor provides information on different types of substrate Institute of Technology (WAIT). In the tic assessment of seabed characteristics. e.g. hard bottom vs. soft bottom. Morphometric and energetic descriptors of 1970s, staff members from Physics, Biol‐ Rob McCauley brought a strong program

biomass in the water column help differentiate between major groups of or‐ ogy, Chemistry, Geology and Electrical of bioacoustics to CMST, a focus which Engineering formed a Marine Studies has continued to expand now for some Archives ganisms and can be used to produce maps of biomass present over different Group which carried out some small pro‐ years. strata. Montserrat will be using this relationship of demersal fish biomass and CMST seafloor characteristics to produce maps of potential distribution for impor‐ jects and ran a first year elective unit in marine science. Photo: tant species of demersal fish. Don Watts (WAIT) and Kevin Parry (Parry Left: Example of spatial distribution of water column (left image, areas of high backscatter in red Corporation) at the launch of CMST in March 1985. and low in green) and seafloor backscatter (right image, areas of high backscatter in red and low ticular. Kevin Parry, of nthe the Parry Image: Monserrat Landero in blue, representing different substrates) in an area of the Ningaloo Marine Park. Corporation, and the then WAIT Director Don Watts, approached John Penrose Jamie McWilliam: The pulse of a coral Sven Gastauer: An ecosystem approach to Lawson Gastauer reef: Using acoustic survey as a tool for the acoustic assessment of the Northern with a proposal to create a Centre for Glen

Sven monitoring coral reef ecosystems in a Demersal Scalefish Fishery Distribution ‐ Marine Science and Technology. This was

changing climate habitat and abundance formed in 1985 and was charged, in the Photo: Image:

Archives

The aim of Jamie’s research is to investi‐ Sven is conducting a fisheries acoustic first instance, with supporting the then Alec Duncan, John Penrose, Mal Perry and Bill CMST gate the ecological importance of sound‐ study on the distribution of fish resources defence of the America’s Cup and a triple Plumb work on ROV navigation and control sys‐ 3D mesh of scanned Red Emperor, including swim‐ tems at AME CRC. Photo: scapes in coastal marine ecosystems. within the Northern Demersal Scalefish bladder (right), and magnified swimbladder, the circumnavigation of the world to be un‐ WAIT Marine Studies Group started by Tom Do‐ main backscattering element of the fish (left). The arrival of Christine Erbe as our This fieldwork is being conducted at Liz‐ Fishery. Working towards abundance cherty, John Penrose, Bob Kagi, Rob Rippingale, dertaken by noted yachtsman Jon Sand‐ ard Island, in the Great Barrier Reef, with estimates, he is taking in‐ and ex‐situ tar‐ strength, distribution, and abundance and Lindsay Collins. (John and Tom in photo). ers. Parry Corp provided five graduate latest Director has brought many new the aim of determining how fish cho‐ get strength measurements and combin‐ estimates. This is providing significant The fire was important because just scholarships of which one was taken up contacts, both for projects and graduate ruses can be used to develop our under‐ ing results with predicted scattering char‐ insights into the species‐specific back‐ before it took place, John Penrose of by Kim Klaka. Kim went on to become students, to the Centre. Christine is lead‐ standing of coral reef systems and im‐ acteristics, based on Computerised Tomo‐ scattering properties of fish in the area Physics was working with John de Laeter, Director of CMST for many years ing CMST at a time of great change prove our current monitoring and man‐ graphy scans. Applying Bayesian and geo‐ of interest. Sven is then using this knowl‐ then Physics Head, on a project in mass and brought teaching and research in within Curtin University and CMST is agement initiatives. statistical parameter calibrations and un‐ edge to investigate species distribution spectrometry. One evening, the Mass naval architecture to CMST. Jon Sanders enmeshed with many of the changes certainty estimates can improve target and abundance within the fishery. Spec lab was gutted in a fire that put it succeeded in his triple, solo, non‐stop emerging. Over the years, staff and stu‐ out of action for two years. John set circumnavigation during which, amongst dents have been the brains of the Centre and it is difficult to name all who have about building an ultrasonic diver com‐ other achievements, he made echo Matthew W Koessler: Sound propagation modelling of acoustic‐elastic, range‐dependent marine environments municator during this period, reflecting a sounder records of a seamount in the contributed!

Matt’s research at CMST is being conducted to test and develop new numerical methods to model underwater sound propagation in envi‐ long interest in sub‐sea activities. This South Pacific, predicted from satellite ronments that are characteristic of the Australian continental shelf. Range dependent bathymetry and elastic sea bottoms are two major project in turn led to a substantial focus altimeter plots. His vessel, Parry Endeav‐ factors that control underwater sound propagation in Australian shallow marine environments. These factors have been incorporated into on marine acoustics. Shortly after John our, is on display in the Fremantle Mari‐ Matt’s numerical methods. Initial validations of the new modelling methods against other synthetic results and measured acoustic data led a group of six WAIT staff and stu‐ time Museum. have been successful. dents in an expedition to the site ofe th

th Archives

17 century wreck of the Batavia in the Woods

Abrolhos Islands, beginning a long period CMST Sarah Marley: Behavioural and acoustic Jeong Hun, Ha (Scott): Simulation of ship Shyam Kumar Madhusudhana: Auto‐ of engagement with the Western Austra‐ Photo: responses of coastal dolphins to noisy under‐keel clearance inw shallo water matic software analysis tools for under‐ Andrew lia Maritime Museum. environments Some grounding incidents in shallow wa‐ water soundscape measurements Photo: Sarah’s PhD project aims to assess how ter are attributed to ship squat and wave‐ Automatic detection and classification of Launch of the Waterfront Research Facility in coastal dolphins use their acoustic envi‐ induced motions. Accurate prediction of ‘signals of interest’ in underwater acous‐ Fremantle 2007. ronment at various locations. Using a ship squat is thus essential for safe voyage tic recordings comprising multiple calls In addition to those who have already combination of visual and acoustic of vessels from grounding. The main ob‐ of multiple species, embedded in various Acoustic transducers on the hull of Jon Sander’s been noted, Alec Duncan and Andrew monitoring methods, Sarah can simulta‐ jective of Scott’s project is to provide anthropogenic and physical ambient vessel, the Parry Endeavour. Woods merit special mention, as do neously record dolphin sounds and ves‐ sounds, remains an ongoing challenge.

guidelines for ship under‐keel clearance Archives Kim led a bid by CMST to form a core Chandra Salgado‐Kent, Sasha Gavilov, sel noise from acoustic recorders, while using simulations for the required depth The segregation of soundscapes into CMST partnership in the Australian Maritime Iain Parnum, Miles Parsons, Tim Gourlay, also tracking dolphin movements and their biological, geological and anthropo‐ of channels. This will contribute toward a Engineering Cooperative Research Centre Mal Perry, Ann Smith and others. My behaviour from a land‐based theodolite genic components holds significant Photo: better understanding of sinkage and trim (AMECRC), which for a six‐year period own impression is that CMST has been station. This will help us to understand benefits to management, such as sound CMST supported the “Taskforce 1987” syndicate of the ships and bring further practical headed by Parry Corporation in defence of the Amer‐ involved CMST in collaborative research an outstanding enterprise to be part of, aspects of dolphin behaviour in a noisy budgets. Shyam’s PhD aims to develop support to under‐keel clearance manage‐ ica’s Cup with the 12 metre yacht “Kookaburra”. with institutions in three other Australian in terms of scientific productivity, pro‐ environment. software solutions for the automated ment in ports. The mid 1980s saw a dramatic escala‐ states. Later, CMST formed part of the ject excitement and fellowship. characterisation of marine soundscapes. tion of marine activity in Physics in par‐ Coastal CRC, to use its short form name. John Penrose, Founder CMST

14 cmst.curtin.edu.au 3

Claire Charlton: Southern right whale population demographics and recovery in South A Brief History of Hydrodynamics at CMST 1984‐2015 Australia

1984 ‐ 1985 1999 ‐ 2002 The Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study has been completed annually at Austra‐ America’s Cup Syndicate Taskforce ‘87 offers five Masters schol‐ Closure of AMECRC means CMST hydrodynamics reverts to com‐ lia’s largest breeding aggregation ground for southern right whales at the Head of arships at CMST. Two of the scholarships are taken up for hydro‐ mercial research for its income. Collaboration program set up with Bight in the Great Australian Bight (GAB) Marine Reserve since 1991. The study pro‐ dynamics projects (motions of yachts in waves). Marintek Norway. CMST commissioned by WA Government to vides valuable baseline information on population trends and recovery of the species conduct major feasibility study into establishing an $80M ocean

1986 for conservation management. Southern right whales are listed under the EPBC Act as rd wave basin in Perth. $30M secured – not enough! First short courses and 3 year projects in naval architecture endangered and migratory and are a matter of national environmental significance, established (by Kim Klaka, one of the scholarship students). 2002 ‐ 2003 after severe depletion from whaling in the 18th and 19th centuries. The GAB right Charlton

Claire More research in cargo ship hydro‐ whale study researches the abundance, distribution, life histories and movements of 1987 dynamics, with arrival of Tim Gour‐ southern right whales in the GAB through vessel and cliff based research at the Head Photo: August 1987, the next Amer‐ lay. Accident investigations into the of Bight and Fowlers Bay aggregation areas. Study methods include photo identifica‐ Southern Right Whale female and calf pair. Photo ica’s Cup syndicate Taskforce groundings of Jody F Millennium, taken by Claire in 2010 at Head of Bight in the sanc‐ tion, population census and underwater acoustics. The study provides a robust base‐ ‘90 is established with Kim Capella Voyager and Eastern Honor tuary zone of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. Klaka seconded from CMST as in New Zealand. line understanding of the population status, natural variation in abundance and recov‐ Technical Director. Masters ery, and allows for future impact assessment. Several full‐scale seakeeping trials student Gary Webb recruited to work in hydrodynamics. for Tenix patrol boats and local Sue Mason: Spatial range, social structure Marta Galindo Romero: Spatial variations in the peak pressure of low frequency impul‐ crayboats. October 1987, stock market and behaviour of 'resident' short beaked sive signals propagated in range‐dependent environments 2004 crash. Syndicate dissolved. No common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in Marta is studying attenuation of the peak pressure of underwater transient sounds CMST student project on gyro‐ income for hydrodynamics staff Port Phillip, Victoria: considerations for propagated in range dependent environments. The goal is to develop a method to pre‐ and students. scopes by Colin Ayres leads to the their future management and conserva‐ dict the peak pressure as a function of acoustic source parameters, environment and founding of “Sea Gyro”, a company tion range from the source, or the probability of exceeding a certain threshold, so it can be 1987‐ 1992 The cover of the 1986 WAIT student recruitment booklet featured the work which manufactures gyroscopes for CMST was performing for the America’s Cup Kookaburra Campaign. boat roll reduction. Suzanne is investigating the residency used in the context of assessment of potential impacts of man‐made impulsive under‐ Commercial hydrodynamics research portfolio establishing by knocking on the doors of in‐ 2005 ‐ 2009 status and behaviour of short‐beaked water noise on marine fauna. dustry. Biggest contract, predicting vessel motions at the new Ship under‐keel clearance (UKC) work: full‐scale trials in Hong Kong common dolphins along the eastern ship‐lift facility in Henderson, was the result of a misdirected and Torres Strait (Mal Perry); channel design for Albany; develop‐ coastline of Port Phillip. Due to their close invoice (a story for another time!). Ship Science stream of BSc ing “KeelClear” UKC software for Torres Strait (Amos Maggi). proximity to the coast, Sue has used a Angela Recalde‐Salas: Variability of baleen whale acoustical ecology: implications for multi‐disciplinary science established by CMST hydrodynamics theodolite in land‐based surveys and the optimal monitoring and conservation planning using passive acoustics staff. New “waterfront facility” at Fremantle Sailing Club strengthens racing dinghy research. General decline in WA shipbuilding and cetacean tracking program VADAR, writ‐ Angela is looking at variability of acoustical ecology of baleen whales (blue, humpback 1992 ‐ 1999 hence seakeeping trials work. ten by Dr Eric Kniest from the University and right whales) in different areas in Western Australia, and how the information ob‐ CMST instrumental in establishing the Australian Maritime Engi‐ of Newcastle, to record dolphin behav‐ tained using passive acoustic methods can be used for conservation. She will be specifi‐ neering CRC, a partnership of 26 industry, government and aca‐ 2010 iour. She has also completed vessel‐based cally looking at estimation of vocalisation rates and how such rates might vary under demic partners. CMST became the Perth node with focus on Measuring boat wakes and wind waves on the Swan River to as‐ surveys to identify the individuals and ship motions, yacht design and underwater vehicle performance sess shoreline erosion. Speed limits subsequently changed along different environmental, anthropogenic, ecological and behavioural conditions. This (other three nodes were Monash in Melbourne, AMC in much of the Swan River. Daniel Veen completes his PhD on ship determine social structure. This informa‐ information will then be used to estimate the detection probability of baleen whales in Launceston and UNSW in Sydney). slamming. tion will help inform Victorian wildlife different areas under different underwater noise conditions and to develop guidelines

managers of the threats to the commu‐ and strategies for optimal monitoring and conservation planning using passive acoustics. First ARC collaborative research grant in hydrodynamics won by 2011 ‐ 2012 CMST, for ship motion control research. Development of CMST in‐house software for hydrodynamics work: nity in the hope that they can be reduced. “ShallowFlow” for cargo ships in shallow water; and “HullWave” AMECRC Perth node (CMST) wins contract to develop motion for near‐surface submarines. Kim Klaka retires from CMST. Arti Verma: Using underwater acoustic data to predict distribution of demersal fish in control system “Ocean Leveller” for Austal Ships catamaran fer‐ ries. The system was fitted to 23 vessels around the world, rep‐ 2013 ‐ 2015 northwest Australia

resenting an export value of more than $400M. The project was CMST participates in Duisburg international blind benchmarking Use of Frequency Modulated acoustic signals for remote classification and detection identified as an exemplar of innovation in the 1995 Federal R&D study for ship sinkage and trim, and leads international bench‐ of pelagic species offers the advantage of improved spatial and range resolution in budget statement, and a presentation of the project was made marking study into ship wave‐induced motions in shallow water. addition to better signal‐to‐noise ratio, enabling species identification through their to the Prime Minister at Parliament House, Canberra by Alan Validation of CMST’s UKC modelling as world’s‐best practice helps Haywood. us win UKC work for Gorgon LNG terminal and New Zealand ports. acoustic signatures. In collaboration with the Great Australian Bight Research Pro‐ Increasing work in ship mooring analysis, including effects of swell, gram (GAB), Arti is working to simulate and design an acoustic based numerical CMST staff working in hydrodynamics include Baz Binkhorst, Pat long waves, passing ships, current and wind. model to solve the forward scattering problem. Simulation outcomes will Couser, Les Denison, Alan Haywood, Kim Klaka, Amos Maggi, Mal Perry, Bill Plumb, Ann Smith and Giles Thomas. Postgradu‐ Random and enjoyable small hydrodynamics projects continue, be compared with empirical data collected by advanced optical sensors ate students in hydrodynamics include Jonathan Binns, Joshua including powered surfboards, flyboards, jetskis. and wideband acoustic techniques providing improved quantitative infor‐ Boyd, Stephen Cook, Dougal Harris, Jan Krasnodebski, Javier mation about the distribution of pelagic species in the GAB region. The New postgraduate students Scott Ha and Mark Gooderham help Pereira, Rick Shock and Dave Sterling. ultimate aim is to acoustically and remotely classify species using only the continue CMST’s research in shallow‐water ship hydrodynamics. Eight metre research catamaran “Educat” built and jointly oper‐ acoustic signals. ated with Fremantle TAFE. “Seakeeper” ship motions software Kim Klaka, former Director CMST, and Tim Gourlay Right: Experimental setup for calibration of the wideband echosounder EK80 (right), broad‐

was written as part of the Maxsurf marine software suite. band (95–160 kHz) frequency response from a calibration sphere with outline of a numerical model (left). Images: Arti Verma

4 cmst.curtin.edu.au 13 Current CMST Students and their Projects CMST Research Spotlight: Photo: Sonia Pilkington Underwater Acoustic Propagation Modelling

CMST is very active in the field of under‐ source itself is a very difficult prob‐ water acoustic propagation modelling, lem. Research work CMST is cur‐

which is used for the prediction of the rently undertaking in this area in‐ Duncan

characteristics of the sound received cludes developing acoustic propaga‐ Alec from a wide variety of acoustic sources, tion models that can accurately deal

both natural and man‐made. In some with the hard, calcaranite seabeds Image: cases the characteristics of the sound that are common around the Aus‐ A vertical cross section through the predicted sound source are well known, ande th main tralian continental shelf, and develop‐ field, with the seismic source at the centre. complexity is in the way the sound trav‐ ing accurate models of sound radiation ries out underwater sound level predic‐ els through the ocean and in its interac‐ from pile driving and coupling the re‐ tions for industry as part of environ‐ tion with the seabed. In other cases the sulting field to a long‐range propaga‐ mental impact assessments. prediction of the acoustic output of the tion model. CMST also routinely car‐ Alec Duncan

CMST has studied An Insider’s Recollection: Development of of rolling around, all loggers sea‐noise since the were recovered, came back late 1980s. In those days CMST’s Sea‐noise Logger Capacity in, and voila! another fault, this time the most common method with the processor. So instead of of obtaining recordings was to hang a most reliable, flexible and accurate sea‐ three months data, we had three days. A hydrophone over the side of a vessel, noise logging system we know of. In low point in CMST sea‐noise logger work! attach it to a pre‐amplifier and a then 2001, we had our first trial of the sys‐ The manufacturers fixed the problem. top‐of‐the‐range recorder. We first had tem. Three loggers went into the river, After several years of trial and tribula‐ reel‐to‐reel tape decks, which were came out and...no data. We had used tion, we overcame all of these teething quickly replaced by good quality cassette underwater connectors to plug the problems. Today the CMST sea‐noise tape decks with their reliable 90 minute hydrophones in. But if left in the sun, loggers remain un‐paralleled in their cali‐ Front row: Leila Fouda, Monserrat Landero, Rebecca Wellard; Middle row: Matthew Koessler, Sarah Marley, Angela Recalde‐Salas, Arti Verma recording time, then digital tape decks they accumulatedc stati charge, which bration capability, flexibility and data Back Row: Jamie McWilliam, Michael Bittle, Marta Galindo Romero, Scott Ha. allowing huge two‐hour recordings. promptly blew the preamp. Diode pro‐ quality. We have made many hundreds These were fitted into housings with tection fixed that. We then ran into the of long‐term recordings around Australia Michael Caley: Development of a dynamic Capri Joliffe: Working towards understanding the calling behaviour of the eastern Indian fancy ways of turning on and off, so we next problem with these high‐quality, from the Swan River to 1100 hm dept off underwater acoustic communication Ocean Pygmy Blue Whale and how their calling can be used to census the population could eke several days of recordings costly connectors. They developed very Antarctica with an excellent track record channel simulator to explore transient Capri is studying the calling behaviour of pygmy blue whales and the potential for acous‐ from our few hours of tape available. slight leaks over time, affecting the and reliability. We have built a massive wide‐band signal distortion with configur‐ tic detections to be used to census a population. Her research focuses on identifying These prototype loggers were deployed electronics and resulting in gradual sig‐ archive of Australian sea noise ‐ an in‐ able sea surface parameters pre GPS age, so a field trip also involved nal loss. Solution: hard‐wire the hydro‐ valuable legacy. Unimaginable in the 90‐ individual variations in song pattern and using arrays of passive acoustic sensors to track Michael Caley is currently undertaking a animals in the immediate vicinity of the acoustic sensors. This data will be combined much radar, hand bearing compass and phones to the end caps. Our thanks to minute tape deck days. We are indebted PhD project developing a simulator to with information gathered on the calling behaviour of pygmy blue whales in the Perth chart work. Recovery trips were a nerv‐ all the industry supporters whom had to to the many sponsors of our sea‐noise generate realistic transient distortion of canyon to derive an abundance estimate for the population. The research aims to define ous affair: “Can anyone see a buoy?” wear us finding this out. research. Without your support we transmitted underwater acoustic data methods for measuring abundance in marine mammal populations from passive acous‐ In the late 1990's electronic hardware In 2002 the sea‐noise loggers were would never have made it!

signals. The focus is the real‐time tran‐ tic detections alone. developed rapidly. We heard of a proto‐ ready, we thought, to tackle the deep Photo: Dave Minchin Rob McCauley sient sound interaction of broad‐band type sea‐noise logger built in Canada and ocean, so we began a program acoustic signals with the underside of the Rebecca Wellard: The bioacoustics of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Australian waters bought one. After fighting with SCSI hard funded by Australian Defence in the moving sea surface. At‐sea acoustic chan‐ and the acoustic environment of which they reside drives, UNIX systems, obscure data for‐ Perth Canyon. We perused the mats and little programming flexibility, available acoustic releases, naively nel probing experiments have been con‐ Bec's PhD project aims to improve our understanding of the killer whale population in we decided to build our own. The De‐ believed the specification sheets, ducted in 14 and 50 m deep environ‐ the Australian region by using non‐invasive techniques such as passive acoustic monitor‐ fence Science and Technology Organisa‐ bought several and deployed them ments, over ranges of 100 to 10,000 m to ing. This study aims to provide the first quantitative assessment of the acoustic features tion (DSTO) provided gratefully received with loggers in 400‐500 m water assist with performance evaluation. The of killer whale vocalisations in Australian waters and the sound environment in which seed funding. Alec Duncan designed the depth. All failed. We embarked on a simulator will be used to improve the they reside. The project presents an opportunity to further investigate this little‐known electronics, but we also needed some‐ 24‐hour tug charter with a giant design of signalling strategies and hard‐ population of a data deficient species. Results from this study will provide pertinent data one to build and make it a reality: Frank 18th century anchor arrangement ware for point‐to‐point underwater to help in assessing the population status of this species and deliver key scientific infor‐ Thomas, an electronic engineer, did a towed with a km of wire which we acoustic data communication systems. mation, such as population dynamics and critical habitats, for guiding and assisting popu‐ terrific job of building an electronic and also had to buy (and which the tug The project is financially supported by an lation management of killer whales found in Australian waters. ARC Discovery Grant and L3‐Oceania. mechanical system that remains the owner thankfully kept). After a night Sarah Marley and Les Denison work on a noise logger.

12 cmst.curtin.edu.au 5 Photo: Tim Gourlay Ship Motion Trials in Geraldton The Underwater Soundscape of the Perth Canyon

CMST is currently conducting a set of trials to measure ship motions in the Port of Geraldton approach channel and harbour. The research is being done in conjunction with Mid West Verma Ports and Curtin's GNSS Research Arti

Group. It will form part of Scott Ha's Image:

Gourlay PhD thesis on ships in navigation

Tim Spectrogram of underwater sounds recorded in the Perth Canyon highlighting biotic and abiotic contributors. The black dots at the bottom represent times when very

large vessels headed for the Port of Fremantle. Photo: CMST has been monitoring ambient km deep in places and as long and wide aggregations, offshore weather, and channels. Geraldton is exposed to noise in the Perth Canyon at 500 m as the Grand Canyon in the U.S.—but vessel traffic. The study was recently long‐period ocean swells, which depth since 2009 as part of IMOS. The ours is filled with water and hence rich published in Progress in Oceanography: cause wave‐induced motions of Perth Canyon is a submarine canyon in marine life. We monitor humpback http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ ships in the channel and harbour. that was carved by the Swan River whales, minke whales, fin and blue j.pocean.2015.05.015 High‐accuracy dual‐frequency GPS during the Tertiary period, when the whales on their seasonal migrations into Christine Erbe receivers are being used to measure sea level was much lower. It is up to 5 and out of the canyon, chorusing fish the motions, and the results will be used to validate CMST's in‐house Quiet(er) Marine Protected Areas and third‐party ship hydrodynamics CMST recently collaborated on a study mals and much noise) and without software. Tim Gourlay to map ship noise off Canada for marine (many animals but no noise). Ma‐ Gourlay spatial planning. The noise map was rine spatial planning typically fo‐ Scott Ha (right) aboard three vessels (all images) in Tim "filtered” with the hearing curves cusses on the overlap, i.e. “risk” and around Geraldton Harbour. Photo: (audiograms) of 11 resident marine sites, where the environment is mammal species (whales, dolphins, por‐ already stressed. But we don't often poises, seals, sea lions) so that it was take a step back and conserve the FMBEM Modelling of Underwater Sound Scattering Erbe

relevant or meaningful for each species. “opportunity” sites. The noise maps were then correlated www.sciencedirect.com/science/ Daniel Wilkes and Alec Duncan have pole Boundary Element Method reference model, using 10x less com‐ Christine with animal distribution and density article/pii/S0025326X1530028X recently published a paper in The Jour‐ (FMBEM) model for modelling acoustic puter memory. It uses a boundary‐only

maps from line‐transect surveys, to Image: nal of the Acoustical Society of America radiation and scattering from underwa‐ numerical model to present both the Ship noise off Canada as “heard” by killer whales. identify areas with overlap (many ani‐ Christine Erbe (http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/1.4916603) ter objects. The 'Unified FMBEM' model exterior fluid and interior elastic solid detailing a newly developed Fast Multi‐ operates 120x faster than the example regions, and accelerates the numerical Name: Daniel Veen Name: Grant Pusey solution in both domains using the Fast Years at CMST: 2005‐2010 Years at CMST: 2008‐2011 Multipole Method. This approach allows Current position and organisation: Senior Current position and organisation: Science Teacher at Churchlands Senior for the acoustic field scattered or radi‐ Software Developer, Offshore and Marine, High School ated from a submerged elastic solid Bentley Systems Some highlights of your career since CMST: Working in Hawaii for 18 object to be solved with a reduced com‐ Some highlights of your career since CMST: months and going diving every week. Chasing down drifting buoys in the putational cost compared to the stan‐ Where are Two years working on a variety of aerospace North‐west Australian coast. Working in countries like Malaysia, Italy and dard finite element‐boundary element projects with SCITEK Consultants in Derby, UK. Ireland. models dtypically use for this type of they now? These projects included a noise evaluation of Best memory of CMST: Going to the Arctic and seeing polar bears! analysis. Current work is focused on CMST’s a Rolls ‐Royce Trent 1000 jet engine, research on alternative fuel technologies for power Name: Greg Bush extending this model to a unified ex- generation and the development of a new Years at CMST: 1986‐1989, 1993‐1997 'broadband' FMBEM which can solve fuel injector spray characterisation facility for Current position and organisation: General Manager for RPS MetOcean large‐scale numerical models at higher student Rolls‐Royce. Currently working as a developer Pty Ltd frequencies. roundup! with the Offshore and Marine group at Bent‐ Some highlights of your career since CMST: RPS does some pretty cool Daniel Wilkes and Alec Duncan ley Systems. This involves maintaining and stuff: world leading technology, building current meters and met buoys, adding new capabilities to our MOSES off‐ tropical cyclone modelling, internal wave modelling… shore analysis software. Best memory of CMST: After 4 years working, I was back with CMST doing Left: Comparison of acoustic scattering results for the unified FMBEM and a reference numeri‐ Best memory of CMST: The staff and stu‐ a PhD on the Upward Looking Sonar project, which included the “once in cal model (PAFEC‐FE software). dents, they made CMST a great place to learn. a lifetime experience” of Winter and Summer voyages to Antarctica! Image: Dan Wilkes

6 cmst.curtin.edu.au 11

Fouda

Orcas Ahoi! Leila The Wheatstone Passive Acoustic Monitoring Project: an Update

Photo: Exmouth Gulf and the coastal shelf north of it are known as winter resting grounds for the Western Australian population of humpback whales that visit this area from early June to late October. Effective means are needed to prevent potential physiological and behavioural impacts on humpback whales from various offshore operations related to oil and gas explora‐ tion and production and the construction of associated port infrastructure in this region. Chevron Australia commissioned a research project through the Western Australian Energy Re‐ search Alliance to examine the efficiency of a passive acoustic monitoring system to detect and localise humpback whales

CMST’s Team Orca has spent three sea‐ and a catalogue of sounds emitted by whale calves off Ningaloo. A description of approaching the area of the offshore activities associated with the Wheatstone LNG project. The project was carried out by

sons with Australia’s top marine preda‐ killer whales to study their abundance, the calls emitted by Bremer killer whales Gavrilov tor, the killer whale (Orcinus orca), in movement, behaviour, within‐group has just been published in PLOS ONE: CMST and L3 Oceania. CMST developed methods for the auto‐ the Bremer Canyon during the summers associations, and acoustic ecology. Killer http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/ Alexander matic detection and localisation of vocalising whales. L3 Oce‐ of 2014 and 2015, and off Ningaloo Reef whales were observed preying on journal.pone.0136535 ania designed and built autonomous acoustic buoys equipped during the winter of 2015. The team is beaked whales in both seasons in the Photo: with directional acoustic sensors and ao radi transmitter to pro‐ developing both a photo‐ID catalogue Bremer Canyon, and on humpback Christine Erbe L3 Oceania’s acoustic buoy with a mooring line prepared for deployment.

Seafloor Mapping in the Kimberley

CMST have been carrying out multi‐ much need improved bathymetry for beam surveys in northwest Australia, as Camden Sound and good insights into part of two WAMSI Kimberley Research the kinds of underwater terrain and Projects. One, led by the Australian In‐ ecosystems. The second is part of a stitute of Marine Science (AIMS), is in‐ WAMSI Kimberley project being led by O’Leary vestigating seabed biodiversity, for Curtin’s Applied Geology and Environ‐

which data collected by AIMS, CMST ment and Agriculture Departments, Mick

and CSIRO, will be analysed by CMST's investigating reef evolution and growth Photo: Iain Parnum. This study will provide in the Kimberley. CMST’s Iain Parnum running the Odom ES3 multi‐ beam echo‐sounder in the Kimberley.

Iain Parnum Gavrilov

Alexander Sonar Imaging Tools

As part of on‐going research, CMST has developed Matlab‐based software tools for visualisation and analysis of water column data Image: fromDr Iainvarious Parnum single operating‐ and CMST’s multi Odom‐beam ES3 sonar Multibeam systems. Echo‐ sounderThese tools in the have been used for a variety of studies, including: shark detection, fish Above: Spectrogram of sea noise containing multiple calls from humpback whales identified by school assessment, canopyKimberley height monitoring (right) and gas seep detection. These tools are available on request. Iain Parnum the automatic detector (left) with bearings taken from one of the acoustic buoys (right).

vide real‐time collection and analysis of acoustic data. With the help of the Centre for Whale Research a sparse array of moored acoustic buoys was deployed in the trial area off Onslow. Drifting DIFAR sonobuoys were also used for testing the monitoring system in the trial area and in Exmouth Gulf. Acoustic monitoring was accompanied by visual sightings. The proto‐ type system demonstrated the detection range from about 10 km to 15 km depending on background noise. The localisation accuracy was determined

using bearing data from the DIFAR sensors. Some new types of sound from Depth (m)

Gavrilov humpback whales were discovered. It was also observed that pods of cow

Parnum and calf stayed silent most of the time; however, they were often escorted Parnum

Alexander

Iain Iain

by vocalising male whales, which increased the probability of tracking

whale pods in the monitored area. Image: Image: Image: Ping number WCV reviewing Reson 7125 data collected over a gas seep. Along track representation of watercolumn data collected over a gas seep. Sasha Gavrilov Two vocalising whales detected and localised from an array of four acoustic buoys.

10 cmst.curtin.edu.au 7 3D Images Preserve HMAS Sydney The camera system consisted of an array of seven digital still cameras After four years of preparation, in April/ (including a 3D pair) all capturing May this year a team from Curtin photographs every five seconds, along University, the WA Museum and DOF with two 3D high‐definition video Subsea conducted a detailed 3D cameras fitted to a pan and tilt. Both imaging survey of the wrecks of the ROVs were fitted with a similar system HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran. to provide redundancy and also allow The two ships sank on 19th November the site to be surveyed quickly and 1941, in the midst of World War II, and efficiently.” have sat at the bottom of the ocean for Stereoscopic 3D photography and over 70 years. Over a period of four videography and 3D reconstruction days of diving, two Underwater were key technologies used on the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) mission. CMST has been developing were deployed from the DOF vessel underwater 3D cameras for over 20 Skandi Protector to collect hundreds of years so this project was a perfect thousands of digital still images and opportunity to capture compelling and hundreds of hours of HD video of the visually rich 3D footage of a nationally main wrecks, the extensive debris fields significant heritage‐listed site. 3D The Kormoran 15cm ‘Linda’ gun. and the surrounding environment. The reconstruction is a relatively new Environment, and Corrosion Engineering Image courtesy of WA Museum and Curtin University. Copyright WA Museum design, integration and testing of the technique which allows digital 3D as well as CMST. specialised lighting and camera system models of real‐world objects to be The expedition was blessed with Director, are producing a documentary HMAS Sydney (II) damaged ‘B’ Turret. Image Courtesy of WA Museum and Curtin University. that was deployed on the two ROVs was generated from a series of 2D good weather and amazingly clear water feature about the project and the Copyright WA Museum led by CMST Research Engineer Dr photographs. Additionally, the mission during the dives. “We have collected a preview footage we have seen on the

Andrew Woods. “We knew we would used a multi‐beam sonar to map the rich archive of content which will serve large 3D projection screen looks have limited time on site, so we wanted wrecks and a series of scientific as an important resource for many years amazing. a camera package that could collect samples were alsod collecte (including to come” noted Woods. The wrecks are The project team gratefully high‐quality content quickly and rusticles) which will further the eventually going to be absorbed by the acknowledges financial support from the efficiently for the combined purposes of understanding of the site. ocean – the wooden ship’s boats for Commonwealth Department of the cinematography, feature photography The project was a massive effort, example are already starting to collapse. Environment, GMA Garnet Group, the and 3D reconstruction” advised Dr with an impressive list of sponsors, One of the aims of the expedition was to WA Museum Foundation and Curtin Woods. “Good lighting is absolutely key supporters and suppliers contributing provide the WA Museum with baseline University. to high‐quality photography, so we to the project. Companies servicing and comparative data to help inform a fitted a bank of new underwater LED the oil and gas industry were heritage management plan for the sites, lights to both ROVs – using all the particularly generous including as the Museum is responsible for their lighting power available on each ROV. Kongsberg Maritime Camera Division management and protection under (UK), Matrix Composites, Teledyne Commonwealth legislation. Bowtech (UK), IFAP, Ashtead Another important output of the Technology (UK), RTS (Norway), DSM project will be exhibitions at the WA Consultants, SubC Imaging (Canada), Museum and partner institutions. The Seatronics (UK), Oil Equipment, 3D reconstruction models, being Specialist Offshore Services, and many processed at the Pawsey more. We are hopeful that the Supercomputing Centre, will offer a equipment set that we have developed range of experience options including for this project will be used on future immersive virtual environments and 3D projects. The project is printing of physical artefact multidisciplinary in nature and at reproductions. Local Fremantle TV Curtin involves researchers from a production company Prospero number of areas including Design and Productions, with CMST graduate Ed DOF Subsea ROV with custom lighting and camera DOF Subsea ROV inspecting HSK Kormoran engine room. Art, Curtin HIVE, Spatial Sciences, Punchard as their Joint Managing frame attached. Photo: Joshua Hollick Image courtesy of WA Museum and Curtin University. Copyright WA Museum

8 cmst.curtin.edu.au 9 3D Images Preserve HMAS Sydney The camera system consisted of an array of seven digital still cameras After four years of preparation, in April/ (including a 3D pair) all capturing May this year a team from Curtin photographs every five seconds, along University, the WA Museum and DOF with two 3D high‐definition video Subsea conducted a detailed 3D cameras fitted to a pan and tilt. Both imaging survey of the wrecks of the ROVs were fitted with a similar system HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran. to provide redundancy and also allow The two ships sank on 19th November the site to be surveyed quickly and 1941, in the midst of World War II, and efficiently.” have sat at the bottom of the ocean for Stereoscopic 3D photography and over 70 years. Over a period of four videography and 3D reconstruction days of diving, two Underwater were key technologies used on the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) mission. CMST has been developing were deployed from the DOF vessel underwater 3D cameras for over 20 Skandi Protector to collect hundreds of years so this project was a perfect thousands of digital still images and opportunity to capture compelling and hundreds of hours of HD video of the visually rich 3D footage of a nationally main wrecks, the extensive debris fields significant heritage‐listed site. 3D The Kormoran 15cm ‘Linda’ gun. and the surrounding environment. The reconstruction is a relatively new Environment, and Corrosion Engineering Image courtesy of WA Museum and Curtin University. Copyright WA Museum design, integration and testing of the technique which allows digital 3D as well as CMST. specialised lighting and camera system models of real‐world objects to be The expedition was blessed with Director, are producing a documentary HMAS Sydney (II) damaged ‘B’ Turret. Image Courtesy of WA Museum and Curtin University. that was deployed on the two ROVs was generated from a series of 2D good weather and amazingly clear water feature about the project and the Copyright WA Museum led by CMST Research Engineer Dr photographs. Additionally, the mission during the dives. “We have collected a preview footage we have seen on the

8 cmst.curtin.edu.au 9

Fouda

Orcas Ahoi! Leila The Wheatstone Passive Acoustic Monitoring Project: an Update

Seafloor Mapping in the Kimberley

which data collected by AIMS, CMST ment and Agriculture Departments, Mick

Iain Parnum Gavrilov

Alexander Sonar Imaging Tools

using bearing data from the DIFAR sensors. Some new types of sound from Depth (m)

Gavrilov humpback whales were discovered. It was also observed that pods of cow

Parnum and calf stayed silent most of the time; however, they were often escorted Parnum

Alexander

Iain Iain

by vocalising male whales, which increased the probability of tracking

10 cmst.curtin.edu.au 7 Photo: Tim Gourlay Ship Motion Trials in Geraldton The Underwater Soundscape of the Perth Canyon

Group. It will form part of Scott Ha's Image:

Gourlay PhD thesis on ships in navigation

Tim Spectrogram of underwater sounds recorded in the Perth Canyon highlighting biotic and abiotic contributors. The black dots at the bottom represent times when very

6 cmst.curtin.edu.au 11 Current CMST Students and their Projects CMST Research Spotlight: Photo: Sonia Pilkington Underwater Acoustic Propagation Modelling

CMST is very active in the field of under‐ source itself is a very difficult prob‐ water acoustic propagation modelling, lem. Research work CMST is cur‐

which is used for the prediction of the rently undertaking in this area in‐ Duncan

characteristics of the sound received cludes developing acoustic propaga‐ Alec from a wide variety of acoustic sources, tion models that can accurately deal

12 cmst.curtin.edu.au 5

Claire Charlton: Southern right whale population demographics and recovery in South A Brief History of Hydrodynamics at CMST 1984‐2015 Australia

1986 for conservation management. Southern right whales are listed under the EPBC Act as rd wave basin in Perth. $30M secured – not enough! First short courses and 3 year projects in naval architecture endangered and migratory and are a matter of national environmental significance, Charlton established (by Kim Klaka, one of the scholarship students). 2002 ‐ 2003 after severe depletion from whaling in the 18th and 19th centuries. The GAB right

managers of the threats to the commu‐ and strategies for optimal monitoring and conservation planning using passive acoustics. First ARC collaborative research grant in hydrodynamics won by 2011 ‐ 2012 CMST, for ship motion control research. Development of CMST in‐house software for hydrodynamics work: nity in the hope that they can be reduced. “ShallowFlow” for cargo ships in shallow water; and “HullWave” AMECRC Perth node (CMST) wins contract to develop motion for near‐surface submarines. Kim Klaka retires from CMST. Arti Verma: Development of wideband acoustic classification techniques for mesope‐ control system “Ocean Leveller” for Austal Ships catamaran fer‐ ries. The system was fitted to 23 vessels around the world, rep‐ 2013 ‐ 2015 lagic micronekton

was written as part of the Maxsurf marine software suite. band (95–160 kHz) frequency response from a calibration sphere with outline of a numerical model (left). Images: Arti Verma

4 cmst.curtin.edu.au 13

Current Student Projects continued…/ Monserrat Landero: Using underwater acoustic data to predict distribution of demersal fish in northwest Australia A Short History of CMST

Sven monitoring coral reef ecosystems in a Demersal Scalefish Fishery Distribution ‐ Marine Science and Technology. This was

changing climate habitat and abundance formed in 1985 and was charged, in the Photo: Image: