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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 Onewill 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 Twowill 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 MMO

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 now

 

Accommodation

If you require advice on the best accommodation in the area then please view our accommodation suggests.

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Training Course Timetable

• DAY 1

  MMO1
  Welcome, introduction & course aims, fire drill and other information
  
  MMO2
  Interaction history of sound and marine mammals
  
  MMO3
  Acoustics how they work. Principles of seismic surveying 2D, 3D etc
  
  MMO4
  Introduction to Law and guidelines and the legal role of an MMO world wide
  
  MMO5
  Introduction to Marine mammals & Physiology
  
  MMO6
  Marine Mammal Behaviours
  
  MMO7
  Monitoring Methods & Techniques for field observation
  
  MMO8
  Observation and reporting systems

 

• DAY 2

  MMO9
  Introduction to species identification
  
  MMO10
  Animal ID quiz
  
  MMO11
  Video sighting form filling and diagrammatic assessment and Role play
  
  MMO12
  Work and interaction offshore an MMOs view
  
  MMO13
  Organisation of practical training day - information Risk Assessment; travel to vessel; safety briefing
  

 

• DAY 3 (Weather Permitting)

  MMO14
  Travel to site, briefing, setup
  
  MMO18
  Monitoring, observation methods, form completion, MMO role play
  
  MMO19
  Review and feedback, test results, certification
  

Download full marine mammal observer course timetable (PDF)

 

Sightings & Spoting

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