Australian Maritime College

Description

The Australian Maritime College (AMC), located in Launceston, Tasmania, is a specialist institute of the University of Tasmania and is Australia's leading institution for maritime education, training, and research. It is renowned for its strong links with the maritime and defence sectors, providing essential programs and services that support the operational effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force and industry

Programs Offered

AMC offers a comprehensive range of programs that are crucial for developing skills and knowledge relevant to defence needs:

1. Maritime Engineering: Courses cover naval architecture, marine and offshore systems engineering, and ocean engineering. These programs equip students with the technical skills necessary to design and maintain naval vessels and marine structures, ensuring that they meet the rigorous demands of defence applications.
2. Ocean Seafaring: AMC provides training for Deck Officers and Marine Engineers, focusing on the operation and management of ships. This includes courses on navigation, ship operations, and maritime safety, preparing graduates to serve in various capacities.
3. Maritime Business and International Logistics: These programs address the management and logistical aspects of maritime operations, essential for the efficient coordination and support of naval missions and supply chains. This includes reliability engineering.
4. Research and Development: AMC engages in cutting-edge research projects that address the evolving challenges of maritime defence. This includes areas such as cavitation research and advanced materials testing for submarines and other shipbuilding.

Facilities and Partnerships

AMC boasts state-of-the-art facilities that support its educational and research activities for Defence. These include:

• Towing Tank: AMC's Towing Tank is the largest and only commercially operating facility of its type within Australasia. It is a fundamental tool utilised by Naval Architects and other engineering professionals for conducting physical model experiments within a controlled environment. The most common tests performed in the facility are to measure the resistance and motions of surface ships and submarines to provide full-scale powering and motions predictions, which may be required to reduce fuel costs, reduce motions/seasickness incidence or limit environmental damage.
• Model Test Basin: The AMC Model Test Basin simulates maritime operations in shallow water environments. The Model Test Basin has a wave-maker with 16 computer-controlled piston-type paddles and a state-of-the-art Qualisys digital video motion capture system consisting of a minimum of 8 and maximum of 16 cameras provides the ability to track all six degree-of-freedom motions for multiple floating models.
• Cavitation research Laboratory (CRL): The CRL is unique in Australia and one of a handful of such experimental laboratories in the world. It can be used to provide advice on the design of propulsors for submarines, destroyers, patrol boats and other maritime vessels on how to reduce the effects of cavitation.
• Centre for Maritime Simulators: The Kongsberg powered CMS includes a full mission bridge, two 360^o tug simulators, part-task simulators and an engine room simulator that provide realistic training environments.
• Underwater Collision Research Facility (UCRF): The UCRF is used for structural and materials research and incorporates state of the art equipment for the investigation of crashworthiness of underwater vehicles, providing new knowledge for understanding the structural survivability of submarines and underwater vehicles, and sub-surface structures. The UCRF is equipped with testing equipment capable of characterising material at low, intermediate, and high strain-rates (10-3 to 104 per second) and at low and high temperatures (-70 to 1100 degrees Celsius).
• Marine Infrastructure and Integrity Laboratory (MarIInE): The MarIInE Laboratory evaluates emissions, asset degradation (e.g., hull corrosion/erosion), condition monitoring, and optimisation of maintenance activity. Through a DSP Bilateral Agreement, equipment is in place to enable research into the resilience and degradation of materials in challenging marine environmental conditions.
• Real-Time Power Systems Simulator (RTPSS): The RTPSS enables real-time simulation of complex power systems, with ‘hardware in the loop’ to identify issues and non-compliances before real systems are built. The capability is specific to ship-based power (batteries, fuel cells, etc), electrical (drives, inverters, etc) and electronic (control/management, monitoring) systems. Training capability for operation and maintenance of complex power systems also available.

AMC Search

AMC's commercial division, AMC Search, plays a pivotal role in supporting the defence sector through specialised training and consulting services. AMC Search leverages the College’s advanced facilities and academic expertise to offer bespoke commercial solutions tailored to the needs of defence clients.

Key Services Provided by AMC Search:

1. Specialised Training: AMC Search delivers high-fidelity simulation training, emergency response training, and bespoke courses designed to meet the specific requirements of defence personnel. This includes bridge simulation training and vessel handling courses, which are critical for naval officers and crew.
2. Consulting Services: AMC Search offers consulting in areas such as Naval Architecture, CFD and advanced simulations including vessel and area modelling. These services help enhance the operational readiness and safety protocols of defence operations.

Autonomous Maritime Systems

A key area of specialisation for AMC Search is Autonomous Maritime Systems, providing cutting-edge services and research that supports the defence industry in:

1. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): AMC Search offers expertise in the training, testing, and deployment of AUVs for defence applications. These systems are crucial for underwater surveillance, reconnaissance, and mine countermeasure operations.
2. Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs): Training and consulting services on USVs are offered to enhance surface operations such as patrol, surveillance, and logistics support. AMC’s advanced facilities enable realistic simulation and operational testing of these systems.
3. Research and Development: AMC Search engages in R&D to advance autonomous maritime technologies. This includes developing sensors for navigation and decision-making, improving sensor integration, and enhancing communication systems for remote operations.
4. AMS-TEC: AMS-TEC is Australia’s centre of excellence for testing and evaluating AMS technologies in temperate and high energy marine environments. AMS-TEC provides:

• Controlled environments for AMS operators, designers and manufacturers to test and evaluate systems in multiple marine environments including estuarine, sheltered and high energy sea states.
• A centralised controlled location for AMS operators to undergo training on how to operate and plan missions with AMS technologies.
• Access to AMC’s specialist engineers, sensor integrators and platform developers to support test and evaluation activities where needed.
• Access to real-world infrastructure to test and evaluate AMS sensor payloads including wharfs, moored vessels and different bottom types.

The Australian Maritime College and its commercial division, AMC Search, are integral to the training, education, and operational readiness of Australia's maritime defence personnel. Through a combination of specialised programs, advanced training services, and cutting-edge research, AMC supports the strategic objectives of the Australian defence industry, helping it to remain capable and resilient in an ever-changing global security environment.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Australian Maritime College and AMC Search websites.