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Did You Know? Shipbuilding has been a significant industrial activity in Tasmania since the early colonial period. It flourished through the need for vessels to carry the greater part of commerce around the Tasmanian coast, interstate and overseas. Most of the vessels have been built between Hobart and the Huon in southern Tasmania, due to the availability of timber in the southern forests and the sheltered waterways. “The British were not only attracted to Van Diemen’s Land because of its suitability as an island penal colony fortress, but, because it had an abundance of timbers such as the famous Huon, King Billy and celery top pines,” says Paul Cullen, the long-time director of Hobart’s biennial Wooden Boat Festival. As Paul explains, the UK had a shortage of suitable boat building timber and the Huon had an abundance, locked up for thousands of years. So it made sense to send a few thousand convicts there to help the logging. Gordon River Tasmania (Source: AustralianWoodWork) Huon Pine only grows in the wet, temperate rainforests of South West Tasmania – on the whole planet! ‘Lagarostrobus franklinii’ (its proper name) is not actually a pine and is the only member of its family, so a pretty unique tree which grows extremely slowly, averaging just 1 millimetre in girth per year. They can grow to be 2,500 years old which means some of them started life BC! Add to this the fact that they do not start to reproduce until 600 to 800 years of age and you have a very special tree whose timber also has remarkable properties. The timber has a very high oil content, methyl eugenol to be precise, which renders it impervious to insects, waterproof, and imbues it with its characteristic sappy perfume. The high oil content also means the timber can be bent, shaped, worked and sculpted without splitting and finishes to a superb, fine lustre. Pale straw coloured when first cut, it ages to a rich honey gold. A Little Bit Of History The early settlers discovered the remarkable properties of Huon Pine and saw its potential for boat building, resistant as it was to those perennial problems of the boat builder, marine borer and screw worm. It turned out to be the best boat building timber in the world and was exploited heavily in the early days, driving a huge industry based on this ‘green gold’. Interestingly, concern for the future of these venerable giants started early in the last century – even back then it was apparent that there would be no next generation of trees to be had, their slow growth precluding the possibility of plantation farms. The felling of green Huon Pines stopped completely in the 1970’s after a consensus that it was neither sustainable nor prudent to cut down trees that were 1000 years old. However, a careful stockpiling operation was begun when trees were felled and collected prior to the flooding of several valleys to create dams for hydro electric schemes. For decades these logs were tied into huge rafts and left to float unperturbed on the water until needed. The stockpile created when Lake Gordon was flooded in 1972 still supplies the majority of logs released for use each year. The retrieval of stumps left over from old logging is another source of salvage timber and led to the discovery of tons of ancient buried Huon pine logs, some dated at 38,000 years old and still intact despite being buried in the damp earth all that time. (Source: AustralianWoodWork) Who Controls The Stocks? 85% of remaining Huon Pine forests are conserved in National Parks while 15% is managed by Forestry Tasmania for salvage. Forestry Tasmania controls and surveys ALL salvage/harvest sites and only 3 sawmills are licensed to process logs. Is It Sustainable? Because of the strict control by Forestry Tasmania and the granting of only 3 licenses to cut Huon pine sawlog, it is estimated that the supplies of salvaged dead timber will last for another 2 generations. After that these ancient giants in the remaining forests will be left in peace to carry on long after we have gone – we hope that future governments adhere to this policy, and now is the moment to say “hats off to Bob Brown” for all he and his supporters did to protect the remaining forests and wild rivers of South West Tasmania. What Is Huon Pine Used For Now? As mentioned, Huon Pine is the boat building timber nonpareil and remains so today. It is much prized for furniture making and cabinetry work especially the bird’s eye and figured timbers. It is also used for small artefacts, homewares, souvenirs and creative woodcraft. Houn Pine Boat (Source: AustralianWoodWork) |
Marine surveyors examine marine vessels to assess the quality, safety, and compliance with standards or specifications, the condition of their structure, machinery and equipment. They ensure vessels are constructed, equipped and maintained according to safety standards and are seaworthy. They check design plans, and ensure the construction of marine vessels complies with marine industry standards. Marine surveyors periodically perform inspections to ensure acceptable standards are maintained throughout the ship's life. They may inspect passenger and cargo ships, commercial charter craft, fishing vessels, recreational craft, yachts, cruise liners, high-speed ferries, small boats and crude oil carriers.
They also recommend appropriate repairs and investigate marine accidents.
ANZSCO ID: 231215
Alternative names: Ship's Surveyor; Maritime Surveyor
Specialisations: Marine surveyors may specialise in the examination of a particular aspect of a vessel such as marine mechanical equipment or the assessment of decks or hulls. With the appropriate training and accreditation, marine surveyors may work in multiple specialisations.
Classification Society
Marine Surveyor - inspects ships, components and machinery to ensure
they are built according to the standards required for their class,
and examines accident damage.
Government Marine Surveyor - inspects ships, components and
machinery to ensure they meet crew and passenger safety regulations
and construction standards. They may also assess and approve safety
reports and plans, and examine candidates for certificates of
competency.
Private Marine Surveyor - examines ships and their cargoes,
investigates accidents in port and at sea (oil spillages, for
example) and prepares accident reports for insurance purposes.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
At work
(Source:
TargetRHR)
Initial Inspection
(Source:
Maritime Survey
Australia)
Duties and Tasks
Marine surveyors may perform the following tasks:
On rig
(Source:
Your Career)
Working conditions
As a marine surveyor you would be expected to work a set number of hours per week, usually in daylight hours, but this may include weekends. Nearly all marine survey work is done outside at a port or slipway. Marine surveyors spend some of their time based in an office. They also spend considerable time outdoors in harbours or out at sea, in various weather conditions. They may be required to travel for work, and sometimes they need to base themselves at the location of the ship for the duration of their project.
In addition to working at a specific port, you may need to travel to other ports and where individual vessels are docked. Marine surveyors may spend periods of time at sea, or away from home. Conditions on board ships and offshore platforms can be rough and you would work in all types of weather.
Tools and technologies
Marine surveyors may use infrared thermography and multimeters to assess electrical wiring and damage on vessels, moisture meters to check leaks in hulls, waterproof flexible cameras to inspect fuel and water tanks, carbon monoxide detectors to check for exhaust problems, as well as cameras to document evidence. They must also regularly consult maritime standards and codes to establish the seaworthiness of vessels.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a marine surveyor, you need to study a qualification in marine surveying. The International Diploma of Commercial Marine Surveying and the Advanced Diploma of Commercial Marine Surveying are offered by the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors, the largest industry body in the Australasian region for professional marine surveyors. These are the only courses in marine surveying available in Australia. The courses are delivered online. However, there are practical components that require access to a vessel between seven and 35 metres in length.
To become a marine surveyor you usually have to complete a VOC
qualification in maritime operations (marine surveying). As subjects
and prerequisites can vary between institutions you should contact
your chosen institution for more information.
You can also become a marine surveyor with a degree in applied
science, specialising in marine surveying. To get into this course
you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite
subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of mathematics,
chemistry and physics are normally required. Contact the Australian
Maritime College at the University of Tasmania for more information
as requirements may change.
Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have experience in
another occupation [Marine Engineer, Naval
Architect, Ship's Officer
or Shipwright].
Employment Opportunities
Marine surveyors work for port authorities, shipping companies,
insurance companies, government agencies and classification
societies. Private marine surveyors work for ship owners and
operators, insurance companies, freight forwarders (companies that
arrange for the transport of goods) and consignees (people who
receive goods).
With the changing nature of the international shipping environment
and technological advances, there is likely to be more emphasis on
specialist maritime areas in the future at the expense of the
traditional marine surveyor.
Depending on their area of work, a marine surveyor could be asked to
travel overseas to investigate causes of accidents or damage to
cargoes.
The boom in the cruising industry, and the greater volume of
international cargo in and out of Australian ports, has increased
the need for marine surveyors to inspect these vessels and ensure
compliance with international regulations.
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)
Aeronautical Engineer |
Agricultural Engineer |
Engineering Technologist |
Environmental Engineer |
Industrial Designer |
Navy Officer |
Parliamentarian |
Quality
Assurance Officer |
Ship's
Master |
Shipwright |
WHS Officer |
|
Material sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Naval
Architect;
Marine Surveyor; ]
CareerHQ [Marine
or Naval Architect;
Marine Surveyor; ]
CareersOnline [Naval
Architect;
Marine
Surveyor; ]
Your Career [Naval
Architect;
Marine Surveyor; ]