Training Course Staff

Yvonne Miles

Yvonne Miles, is the Managing Director of Scanning Ocean Sectors, a company that has evolved through her extensive studies and research. Yvonne is a Biologist, specialising in marine mammals and observer training. She spent a number of years researching the efficacy of MMOs obtaining data through a ships bridge simulator, from these studies came the development of the training package which was used in conjunction with Royal Navy personnel. Yvonne has worked on Royal naval vessels training staff at sea for a number of years which lead to the formation of SOS and the recruitment of specialised staff for effective training.

Ed Harland

Ed Harland, Has now semi-retired after a long working career. Ed specialises in underwater acoustics and had led research on military sonars, high frequency active and low frequency towed array passive sonar’s. He has led numerous trials testing these sonar’s at sea and has developed monitoring and mitigation techniques used to minimise the impact of his work on marine mammals. Ed has also developed PAM receive systems, visual watch methodologies and an automated call classification system, including his own PAM systems and seabed hydrophone systems. Ed is now studying for his PhD and is a workaholic! 

Nick Davison

Nick Davison, works for Veterinary laboratories Agency (VLA) and is a lead marine mammal technician in post-mortems and has expertise in marine mammal bacteriology. Nick is also a stranding’s co-ordinator for Cornwall UK and a number of other NGO’s. He has also co-authored a number of papers.

Nathan Gricks

Nathan Gricks, started his career as a solicitor to an independent conservation ecologist. He has a world wide expertise in bird and marine mammal surveys and has an extensive knowledge in conservation law, policy and planning issues.
MSc Ecology, BSc Ecology

Angus Bloomfield

Angus Bloomfield, works for marine conservation society dealing with UK marine wildlife. He is a freelance MMO and consultant, and has worked for English Nature and with Aucklands Massey University on the common dolphin research project. He has also worked as a fisheries biologist, and an undergraduate demonstrator at University of Plymouth. Angus has working knowledge of GIS (MapInfo).hydrophones and photo ID.
MSc Applied Marine Science, PGCE Biology, BSc Marine Biology

Dr Gary Heald

Dr Gary Heald, works for QinetQ and has specialised in acoustics. He is working for SOS in an advisory capacity, assisting with any problems in the field or any technical data.

Graham Smith

Graham currently works in the UK as an Environmental Impact Assessor for a large UK service company. Having spent 22 years in the Royal Navy as a Meteorological and Oceanographic specialist, he left the RN in the late 90's having achieved the post of Training Manager of the RN METOC training school in Cornwall. During the following 10 years, working for a defence research agency, Graham worked with Yvonne on numerous Royal Navy Marine Mammal Observer training projects, and has been involved in many RN sea development trials as; Trials Manager, Marine Mammal Observer (passive and acoustic) and Environmental Advisor. Graham was part of an Environmental Team responsible for over 300 Environmental Impact Assessments and studies. Graham lives in Dorset and acts as a consultant to SOS, in a training capacity, when not following his beloved Liverpool FC..!!

Dr Ben Maughan