The below story is a great example how a CAST studentship can identify opportunities, including a voyage opportunity. We would like to acknowledge Chief Scientist Rebecca Carey (UTas) for making this possible for Ellyse.
My name is Ellyse, and I’m a Geology Honours student at the University of Tasmania, currently undertaking a CAST (Centre for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Technology) Studentship with the CSIRO Geophysical Survey and Mapping (GSM) team. My project focuses on developing a standardised processing methodology for backscatter data collected from the multibeam bathymetry sonars on CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator and historical vessels like (RV) Southern Surveyor. The main aim of my project is to help improve the workflow for backscatter data processing and make it more consistent and efficient, ensuring that future datasets — and outputs on platforms such as AusSeabed — are as comparable and reliable as possible. This will also help to streamline the back-processing and uploading of historical datasets.
Science Party water sampling Niskin bottles (Left to right: Marta Ribo, Ellyse Noy, Tia Ewen, George Hamaty and Shannon Frey). Photo Credit: Phil Vandenbossche
Although the CAST Studentship didn’t directly place me on RV Investigator, it certainly helped me get there. My CSIRO supervisor, Phil Vandenbossche, knew I was passionate about underwater volcanism, keen to experience a research voyage, and that both my UTAS supervisors (and Phil himself) would be onboard. Because of this, he suggested me to Rebecca, the voyage Chief Scientist, as an extra pair of hands (“volcanologist in training”) — and highlighted how valuable the experience would be for my project and career. A few meetings later, I received the exciting in-person confirmation from Margot (the Voyage Manager), followed by the official acceptance email — and the adventure began!
The voyage itself was absolutely incredible — an experience unlike anything I’ve ever had before. As I was on the voyage as a science party member, most of my time was spent on activities like collecting water samples from the Niskin bottles, and extruding, photographing, logging, and packing both the piston and multi-cores. Alongside this, I spent a lot of time in the Ops room, learning a tremendous amount from the GSM team about survey planning and operations. Most mornings on the ship, before operations started, were spent with Phil, acting as an extra set of hands while he managed the sonars and processed bathymetry data — hopefully helping and not just getting in the way! I even got the chance to run the GSM desk for a bit (which was both the most exciting and terrifying five minutes of my life!).
Ellyse helping Phil Vandenbossche at the GSM Desk in the Ops room. Photo Credit: Phil Vandenbossche
Everyone on board — from the Marine National Facility technical team to the CYAN ship crew — made it such a welcoming and fun environment. It was truly an unforgettable experience and one I hope to repeat in the future.
The Science party, MNF staff and Ship crew at 3am with the last multi-core deployment/retrieval of the voyage. Photo Credit: Martin Jutzeler
This research was supported by a grant of sea time on RV Investigator from the CSIRO Marine National Facility.
