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Marine Mammal Observer (MMO)

The Marine Mammal Observer training course will consist of three days in total, and has three sections to the full training package, theory with continuous assessment for each unit and the final day will be the practical assessment at sea, in this unit you will be expected to put into practice everything you have been taught in the two days of theory.

You will be sent a pre course reading list and the books you will need to purchase for the course will be indicated in this list.

• Day One will be all the theory behind MMO knowledge base, it will cover all the back ground knowledge you will be required to know and understand to make you a reliable and competent working Marine Mammal Observer.
• Day Two will be identifying marine mammals from pictures, videos and putting all of the learning of day one into practice before the final practical unit.
• Day Three will be putting everything you have learnt into practice at sea, with a simulation of working on a seismic vessel, of which you will be an MMO. This unit of the course is full on role play by students and staff to assess how they cope under a number of different situations.

All your assessments and quiz papers, along with the practical at sea will be marked and then you will be awarded your certificate. Depending on your grades you will be awarded a PASS, CREDIT or DISTINCTION. This will only be awarded once the student has completed all three days in full and passed the course.

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS AN INTENSIVE COURSE WITH 3 FULL DAYS OF STUDY

 

2010 Training Course Dates

 

Become An Marine Mammal Observer

You can become a professional JNCC certified MMO in just 3 days and protect marine mammals across the world.

» Signup for the MMO training course today

 

 

Training Course Timetable

The MMO course is divided into a number of modules. These can be tailored to suit specific needs for a block booking.

Day Start Time: 0830
Day End Time: 1800

Our standard course is shown below.

• DAY 1

  • Welcome, introduction & course aims, fire drill and other information

  • Interaction history of sound and marine mammals

  • Acoustics how they work. Principles of seismic surveying 2D, 3D etc

  • Introduction to Law and guidelines and the legal role of an MMO world wide

  • Introduction to Marine mammals & Physiology

  • Marine Mammal Behaviours

  • Monitoring Methods & Techniques for field observation

  • Observation and reporting systems

 

• DAY 2

  • Introduction to species identification

  • Animal ID quiz

  • Video sighting form filling and diagrammatic assessment and Role play

  • Work and interaction offshore an MMOs view

  • Organisation of practical training day - information Risk Assessment; travel to vessel; safety briefing
    

 

• DAY 3 (Weather Permitting)

  • Travel to site, briefing, setup

  • Monitoring, observation methods, form completion, MMO role play

  • Review and feedback, test results, certification
    

Download full marine mammal observer course timetable (PDF)

 

Accommodation

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