Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM)  Training - 1 Day Course (09:30 - 17:30)

JNCC Approved Trainer:   Alison Gill  BSc, MSc

Course Dates: we offer a flexible service in terms of dates while Alison is land-based.  Contact us with your requirements and we will arrange a date. 

Please email for details of next course

Course Details This course is designed to introduce the technique of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) to Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) or interested parties. The first part of the course focuses on basic theory of acoustics and marine mammal vocalisations.  This simple introduction is aimed at the beginner and forms a basic understanding in order to proceed with the second part of the course which focuses on PAM equipment currently used offshore and its deployment, and the software used to analyse in-coming signals from the hydrophones. Included in the course is a practical session listening to different marine mammal vocalisations and learning how to use various acoustic software programs to interpret incoming signals. These programs include the International Fund for Animal Welfare's software suite (Whistle, Rainbow Click, Porpoise) and an introduction to PAMGUARD - new software that is being developed (see www.pamguard.org). We encourage attendees to bring their own laptops to the class to join in with the practical demonstrations. We will provide software and sample sounds on a CD for you (please contact us for details ). Every attendee will be issued a detailed course manual  and will receive a certificate on completing the course satisfactorily. Please note that this is an introductory course to using PAM offshore and focuses on theory and the software used. Whilst the course manual will outline how equipment is put together on the vessels you will not be handling this equipment during this course.  This kind of practical session will need to be conducted at the premises of the manufacturers of the PAM equipment.  If you wish us to arrange this then please email us at info@intelligentocean.com Due to the technical skills required for passive acoustic monitoring offshore it is usually commonplace for personnel, new to PAM, to be placed alongside an experienced PAM operator during offshore projects for further training. This introductory course will form a good basis for your first steps to becoming a PAM operator. See below for detailed course content

Rates

Price: £100 per person  - this is the charge for attending a class in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.  Price includes a light lunch, tea and coffee.

Every attendee will be issued a detailed course manual  and will receive a certificate on completing the course satisfactorily.

If you require a group rate or wish for Alison to visit your establishment please email info@intelligentocean.com for a quote.

We offer a special rate should you book the PAM Training Course and the JNCC MMO Course together which is £180 for both courses (the PAM Training Course will be held the day after the JNCC MMO Training).
 

Location

Classes will be held in the town of Kings Lynn in Norfolk at the "Globe Hotel" on the corner of Tuesday Market Place in the centre of town .  Address is: The Globe Hotel, King Street, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 1EZ.

Click  here for Globe Hotel Website

Click here for a map of the course location.

Kings Lynn is on the train line from London, Kings Cross with a regular hourly service. There is also a good train service from London Stansted.

Click here for a list of local guesthouses and hotels in Kings Lynn.

Tea, coffee and a light lunch will be provided for  free of charge. Alternatively you can provide your own lunch or visit one of the local hotels, cafes or pubs during the lunch hour. 

Car Parking

Please note there are no car parking facilities at the Globe Hotel. There are several car parks in the town within walking distance of the course.  Please note the cost of these vary and that some have restricted times you can stay.

Please click here for a map of car parks in Kings Lynn town centre. The long stay car parks are the cheapest. 

We recommend the car park on Church Street (marked with a red cross) on the map as this always has spaces and is reasonably priced at £3.20 for a whole day.

For tariffs of other car parks - follow this link to the Kings Lynn Council Website.

Course Content 

09:30 - 11:00

Basic Theory of Sound Production

  What is sound?
  Frequency of sound
  Loudness of sound
  Decibels
  Perception of loudness
  Standardising decibels in relation to the medium sound is transmitted
  Source levels and received levels
  Propagation of sound in water

11:00 - 11:30   Coffee Break

11:30 - 13:00

The Spectrogram -  a visual representation of sound

Marine Mammal Sounds with practical examples

  Tonal sounds
  Pulsed sounds

Ambient Noise

Practical session using a spectrogram program to visualise marine mammal sounds and ambient noise

PAM equipment

PAM deployment methods

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch Break

14:00 - 15:30

The basic principles of PAM software

Acoustic software programs
IFAW Programs - Whistle, Rainbow Click, Porpoise

Practical session playing back sound clips through software programs
 

15:30 - 16:00  Tea Break

16:00 - 17:30

Introduction to  PAMGUARD - new software in development for offshore PAM

Questions and Discussion