Course Details
 

This course is designed to introduce the technique of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) to Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs), researchers or any other interested parties.

This course has recently been redesigned to include an online training component as well as a practical day in a classroom.

The first part of the course, to be completed online, focuses on basic theory of acoustics, marine mammal vocalisations, PAM equipment currently available and the various types of software available for real time monitoring and for subsequent analysis. This online course will also include a health and safety section to guide a PAM operator to safe deployment and operation while working on boats or platforms.

This simple introduction is aimed at the beginner and will form a basic understanding in order to proceed with the second practical part of the course which includes a demonstration of typical PAM equipment used offshore, a mock up of how this might be deployed, and a practical session configuring software used to analyse in-coming signals from the hydrophones.  PAMGUARD software is the current preferred software for offshore industry projects. There will also be a discussion on troubleshooting problems with PAM equipment and how this may be dealt with offshore.

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.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT TO WORK OFFSHORE IN UK WATERS AS A PAM OPERATOR YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE COMPLETED THE JNCC MMO CERTIFICATION