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Coasts and Oceans
Number 58
Australian Centre for Maritime Studies, May 1998
The Australian Maritime Digest is published monthly by the Australian Centre for Maritime Studies on behalf of the Kindred Maritime Organisations for the benefit of the Australian maritime community.
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has urged the Department of Defence to give high priority to improving the effectiveness of its contracts for major capital acquisitions.
In a report on the Collins Class submarine project, ANAO also called on Defence to improve its project management capabilities.
The ANAO acknowledged the inherent complexities in managing such large projects but nevertheless considered that a more business-like and commercial approach by the department to project management would better protect the Commonwealth's financial and other interests.
It was essential that the inevitable risks in projects of this nature be managed sensibly in the interests of all parties. This should be done in a strongly-disciplined and systematic fashion throughout the project which inevitably meant having to take the difficult decisions which could lead to short-term criticism of the management of the project but would help ensure a cost-effective outcome.
Project management had to reflect the integration of risk, control and quality outcomes. This demanded mutual understanding and commitment of all parties to ensure successful integration and was best achieved through a real sense of partnership based on goodwill by each party in a positive endeavour to help achieve their respective objectives.
The ANAO made 12 recommendations designed to improve project management on the New Submarine Project and other major Defence projects. Defence agreed or agreed in principle to eight. The recommendations were reconsidered extensively in the light of Defence comments in an endeavour to ensure that they would be both relevant and useful to the project. The ANAO said it remained of the view that they met these objectives. [continued on page 6]
Twelve marine environment projects across Australia will share $726,000 of Natural Heritage Trust funding announced recently by the Federal Government.
The projects have been developed by State marine conservation and fisheries agencies as part of the development of a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas which will provide protection for a wide variety of marine life by helping to protect fish breeding and nursery areas.
Human activities will be controlled within their boundaries while attracting recreational opportunities including snorkelling and diving. Cultural features such as Aboriginal sites and historic shipwrecks can also benefit from increased protection.
Environment Minister, Senator Hill, says the projects will continue the Commonwealth's cooperative effort with the State and Northern Territory Governments to extend the coverage provided by Australia's marine protected areas.
In one of the projects the breeding sites of the threatened grey nurse shark will be a step closer to being protected. The grey nurse was the world's first protected shark species and in recent years has been threatened by commercial set line fishers.
The NSW Fisheries Office of Conservation has been granted $63,000 to investigate the potential for declaring a number of known grey nurse shark breeding sites as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - areas-set aside through legislation to protect marine ecosystems. Other incentives include:
Other projects funded include resource mapping of Queensland's coastal wetlands, a marine biological survey for a marine protected area in Western Australia's Geographe Bay-Capes region and the continuation of a joint project between the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmanian Department of Environment and Land Management and Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries to develop a strategy for MPAs in Tasmania.
The projects are funded by the Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas Program, a key component of the Natural Heritage Trust's Coast and Clean Seas initiative.
The Marine Protected Areas Program provides essential financial support to State and Northern Territory Government activities aimed at establishing marine protected areas in State waters.
Applications are now being sought for 1998-99 Marine Protected Areas Program funding.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640 or 0419 693515, or Connall O'Connell (Environment Australia), phone (02) 6274 1111 or 0411 156854.
The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to save marine turtles during the 1998 International Year of the Ocean.
The Government has ordered the preparation of Australia's first Turtle Recovery Plan, which will guide national efforts to save Australia's threatened marine turtles. The plan should be ready by mid-year.
Five of the six species of marine turtles found in Australian waters are considered threatened, including the Loggerhead Turtle which is on the endangered list.
When complete, the Plan will cover all six species which occur in Australia's ocean areas and identify those measures needed for a concerted national effort to turn around the decline of these species.
The Government is working with turtle experts, representatives from State and Territory conservation agencies, the CSIRO, industry, indigenous groups and non-government organisations to maximise the survival chances of these species in the wild.
Marine turtles have lived in Australian waters for more than 100 million years and are an important part of our marine ecosystems. The major threats to them include loss of habitat, entanglement in marine debris, accidental drowning resulting from trawling and the predation of turtle eggs and hatchlings by feral animals. These are the types of issues the plan will attempt to address.
There are seven species of marine turtles in the world and of these six occur in Australia. Some of the largest marine turtle nesting areas in the lndo-Pacific region are in Australia, while the world's only nesting populations of the Flatback Turtle are in northern Australia.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640 or 0419 693515, or Gerry Maynes (Environment Australia), phone (02) 6250 0782.
Legislation passed in Federal Parliament recently will fund research and development of new ways to protect Australia's coastal marine environment from exotic marine pests and diseases.
Announcing the passing of the Ballast Water Research and Development Funding Levy Bill 1997 in Canberra, Senator Judith Troeth, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, said the levy has strong support from Australia's shipping industry.
The Government, shipping industry and exporting industries were committed to the levy. Developing effective management strategies was vital in minimising the risk to Australia's marine environment, fisheries and aquaculture industries resulting from unmanaged ballast water dumping in our ports.
Australia led the world in the management of ballast water and had been prominent in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in securing a target date of the year 2000 for introducing mandatory international arrangements of ballast water discharges.
The international shipping industry and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority provided $1 million in 1996-97 for research and development into ballast water and the Government had provided a further $1 million this year from the Coasts and Clean Seas Initiative.
The Ballast Water Research and Development Funding Levy Bill authorises collection of the voluntary levy from the shipping industry until $2 million has been raised or a time limit of two years has passed, and stipulates that funds be applied to the Strategic Ballast Water Research and Development Program.
Funds will be managed by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service which will be advised by the Australian Ballast Water Management Advisory Council (ABWMAC), which includes representatives from shipping and exporting industries and Commonwealth and State Governments. ABWMAC receives advice from its Research Advisory Group, which is made up of scientists from research institutions around Australia and technical experts from the shipping industry.
ABWMAC's current extensive R&D program includes development of a risk-assessment based Decision Support System to help port authorities manage ships and their ballast water requirements, treatment options for ballast water, and an extensive maritime awareness publicity campaign.
This levy will provide funding for Australia to achieve more effective ballast water arrangements thus minimising the risk to Australia's marine environment, fisheries and aquaculture industries.
For further information contact Denis Paterson (AQIS), phone (02) 6272 4523, or Julie Austin (Senator Troeth's office), phone (02) 6277 3002.
Vital clues to changing trends in Antarctic sea-ice - an important component in world climate - are being provided by unique equipment designed and built at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia.
Scientists at the Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST) have been working for the past four years to help measure the thickness of Antarctic sea ice to better understand global weather. Their research is supporting the major sea-ice program of the Australian Antarctic Division.
They have won Antarctic Division contracts to design and build four unique acoustic sonar buoys or Upward Looking Sonars (ULS). These provide year-round measurements of Antarctic ice thickness, showing how it is affected by the changing seasons. Two of the latest ULS units, which are positioned up to 200 metres below the sea surface, will be ready for retrieval in early 1999.
The current contract for the Australian Antarctic Division, led by Dr Ian Allison, is part of an International Sea Ice Thickness Monitoring Project, organised by the World Climate Research Program.
Associate Professor John Penrose and Mr Alex Duncan, who lead the Curtin team at the CMST, said that analysis of data provided by the ULS, combined with ongoing research, is providing scientists with valuable information about sea ice thickness distribution, including vital pointers to world climate systems.
Professor Penrose said the main research aim was to examine the overall heat exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean in the polar region, generated by the thickness of sea ice.
The sea ice of Antarctica is an important component of the world weather system, especially because it is so large and variable in area through the seasons. The ice is a major climate determinant and in mid-winter the gaps and breaks in sea ice impact on heat exchange.
For further information contact Associate Professor John Penrose (CMST), phone (08) 9266 7380, email: j.penrose@cmst.curtin.edu.au, or Sally Rowe (Media Coordinator), phone (08) 9266 2793, email: rowes@decaf.curtin.edu.au. Internet: www.curtin.edu.au/.
The Federal Government has commenced a two-stage review of the Navigation Act 1912.
Stage I of the review, currently underway, is looking at repealing outmoded elements of the Act, including those provisions which conflict with the Workplace Relations Act and which the Government sees as impediments to the efficient operation of a modern merchant fleet.
The first stage is being undertaken by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business. During the course of this review the views of industry stakeholders will be sought. The Government says Stage two will be a comprehensive rewrite of the Act to make it a 'more efficient regulatory tool'.
The Navigation Act 1912 has its roots in the UK Merchant Shipping Act 1894 and contains many archaic provisions which have no relevance to today's shipping needs.
For example:
For further information contact Ian Hanke, phone (02) 6277 7320 or 0419 484095.
Modern computing techniques had made ship design a more exact science but the judgment and experience of the individual designer - especially in relation to unique, first-off vessels - were still important ingredients for success.
Dr John Parker (FEng, FRINA, FIMareE), naval architect and mechanical engineer, said this in delivering the annual Lloyds Register Lecture organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering in London.
During his talk, Dr Parker, who is chairman of the Babcock International Group, told senior industry figures that the characteristics of design evolution and change in the maritime industry seemed to mimic the characteristics of the sea itself.
His talk, held at the Institution of Civil Engineers, was entitled Innovative Marine Vessels - Design, Construction and Evolution. He focused on his experiences with a number of shipyards and organisations, detailing some of the unique vessels he has worked on and the challenges which emerged in their design and construction. He also examined the subsequent evolution of the vessel types discussed.
These included:
Other vessels included the best-selling dry cargo vessel The SD14; the conversion of a ro-ro to an aviation training ship; and the design and build of the first 'one stop' fully defended military replenishment ship, RFA Fort Victoria. Dr Parker is currently President of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. He was elected to The Royal Academy of Engineering in 1982 as one of its youngest Fellows.
For a copy of Innovative marine vessels - design, construction and evolution, Sue Powell, phone +44 171 423 2907, email: sue.powell@lr.org
An Australian-sponsored breakthrough in the International Civil Aviation Organization is set to benefit our live seafood industry.
Approved compressed oxygen systems can now be used for transport of live seafood exports, ensuring Australian seafood arrives in key overseas markets in the best possible 'Jet Fresh' condition and attracting premium prices for our producers.
The development will make it possible for our live seafood exports, which are in high demand in the major markets of Asia, to arrive in better condition and with a lower loss rate.
In the past, some countries have not permitted carriage of live seafood in aircraft using compressed oxygen, because of safety concerns. As a result, Australian exporters have been denied access to important markets.
The changes agreed are based on proposals developed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and members of the Australian aviation and seafood industries.
CASA is already developing Civil Aviation Advisory Publications which will include standards for the design and the manufacture of containers for the transportation of live seafood using this system. The CAAPS, which soon will be distributed to the aviation and seafood industries for comment, incorporate guidance on a range of matters to ensure that any oxygen system in aircraft will not be a potential threat to the aircraft while it is on the ground or in flight.
The revised Technical Instructions are supported by scientific evidence, and will assist the Australian Government in working with its bilateral trading partners, in allowing flights using the compressed oxygen system.
For further information contact Rob Nardella, phone (02) 6277 7680.
The Federal Government has approved over $130,000 in grants under the Fisheries Action Program for a series of projects aimed at helping to restore and protect fisheries habitat in South Australia.
One of the grants is to the Urrbrae Agricultural High School, which will receive $10,000 to develop a breeding and monitoring program for Australian native fish. The school will work in collaboration with the South Australian fisheries management agency, and the State Native Fish Association in improving knowledge of native species and developing breeding programs.
This is the first year of funding under the Fisheries Action Program, a new fish habitat initiative. The Government is spending $9.75 million under the Fisheries Action Program over the next five years, through the Natural Heritage Trust.
The Program will fund community projects on a dollar-for-dollar basis to protect and restore fish habitats such as seagrass, mangroves and estuaries, and help rebuild fish populations.
Other grants include:
For further information contact Bill McKinley (Senator Parer's office), phone (02) 6277 7440 or 0419 607487. Internet http://www.dpie.gov.au/dpie/pr/ media_releases/parer/index.html.
The way forward for ship classification is a program of streamlining, resulting in fewer, but stronger and ultimately more effective, classification societies. Mr Patrick O'Ferrall, chairman of Lloyd's Register (LR), said this recently when speaking at the Shipping 98 conference and exhibition in Stamford, Connecticut, organised by the Connecticut Maritime Association.
He posed the question: is classification doing better' The answer seemed to be a resounding 'yes', he said.
Over the past 20 years, the average age of the world fleet had increased by two thirds, yet, over the same period, the loss rate had decreased by the same amount.
Since 1978, the average age of the world fleet had risen from 12 to 19 years; and the loss ratio had decreased from five to one and a half per thousand ships at risk.
This was no mean achievement, and represented a major leap in safety improvement. Classification societies had played an important part in this, Mr O'Ferrall said.
He outlined the significant moves taken through classification to improve maritime safety, detailing the establishment of a permanent International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) secretariat in London in 1992, and the revitalisation of IACS through a number of radical initiatives including the introduction of the Enhanced Survey Program for bulk carriers and the Transfer of Class Agreement.
He also applauded the marine industry as a whole for its continued commitment to safety, demonstrated by its support for the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
'I firmly believe the ISM Code has the potential to make a significant contribution to marine safety. By the time the 1st July deadline arrives, I am confident that many shipowners and operators will have achieved compliance. Of course, there is a handful of unscrupulous companies who will have made no efforts whatsoever. But we cannot allow the few to profit from an unwillingness to embrace internationally agreed standards, ' he said.
Mr O'Ferrall drew particular attention to the work that IACS was doing to improve bulk carrier safety: in January 1997, LR Rule changes for new bulk carriers came into force; and in July this year, together with other IACS members, LR was introducing new requirements for existing bulk carriers.
'The new bulker rules demonstrate the closer cooperation we have established among IACS members,' said Mr O'Ferrall. 'Another area where we are working together is that of transparency. We tread a fine line here, though. While our first loyalty must be the confidentiality of commercially sensitive client information, making classification more open can only be to the further good of the industry.'
The way forward for classification includes continued development of information technology programs and services. Class societies should compete on quality and technology and value added, rather than seeking to compete on price. But we must also invest in people to operate the systems.
'We must continue to learn - and quickly - from accidents, and share the information with our IACS partners, taking a leaf from the aviation industry's book. We have to speed up our response to all issues affecting the industry, becoming more open and transparent. And we must continue our investment in research and development and training,' he said.
Finally, Mr O'Ferrall called for a streamlining of classification societies: A plethora of class societies, offering sometimes widely differing standards, did the shipping industry no good. The way forward was a program of streamlining, resulting in fewer, but stronger and ultimately more effective, classification societies.
For further information contact Sue Powell, phone +44 171 423 2907, email: sue.powell@lr.org
The Federal Government has announced changes to the National Transport Council which it says will result in a smaller body focused on strategic transport issues in addition to practical short-term actions.
The new Council, consisting of industry sector leaders, will consult with transport users, operators and final customers in developing a more responsive system to significantly improve Australia's transport logistics system.
Transport Minister, Mr Mark Vaile, said new developments in technology, such as electronic commerce and intelligent transport systems, had the potential to radically change the transport industry.
The Council would advise on ways the Government might facilitate reforms, especially through increased industry cooperation.
'Australia's transport system needs to be flexible to respond quickly to changing international conditions. Our transport industry needs to base its strategies on the latest technology and best practice available,' Mr Vaile said.
The Council now consists of the following six members:
The NTC will be holding its first meeting with the Minister this month regarding future initiatives.
For further information contact Rob Nardella, phone (02) 6277 7680.
[continued from page 1]
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, welcomed what he termed the constructive findings of the report and said the ANAO recognised that the project was one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken in Australia and demonstrated the capacity of Australian industry to manufacture at world class standards.
He was encouraged by ANAO's assessment that the Collins class submarines have the potential to achieve the capability specified in the contract.
"The submarine project is now well advanced. Extensive contractor trials are continuing to ensure that defects are identified and rectified by the contractor before the submarines are finally accepted by the Navy," he said.
'The integration and adjustment of the systems in such a complex weapons platform is a process that takes much effort and a considerable period of time. It was always anticipated that there would be an extensive period of operational testing and evaluation after delivery and before the submarines were accepted into Naval service.
"The delays that have occurred are not surprising for a project of this type and are comparable with similar projects in the USA, Britain and France. All parties are making every effort to minimise these delays, strategies are being developed and adopted to deliver the capability incrementally to lessen any potential impact on Naval operations."
He said that the range of technical problems discussed in the ANAO report was known to the project team and was being addressed under the contract.
The problems that had emerged with the maturing of the project were not unexpected. When the contract was signed in 1987, it was acknowledged that the requirements were ambitious and extended the conventional submarine technology available at that time.
With such a long lead contract, it was necessary to extend the technological boundaries to ensure that the capability would not be obsolete by the time it was delivered. He noted that the ANAO had not identified any issues not already known to the project.
The report contained some valuable lessons which would be useful in the management of all major Defence projects. Lessons learnt through experience, exposure to commercial and technical management developments, and reviews such as this one were being progressively incorporated into acquisition policies and procedures.
The project had remained within its original budget of $5.05 billion which was particularly noteworthy in view of the engineering development involved, and the duration of the project.
Two submarines, COLLINS and FARNCOMB have been delivered, a third, WALLER, is undergoing sea trials, and the fourth submarine, DECHAINEUX, was launched just over a week ago.
The remaining two submarines, SHEEAN and RANKIN, are in the advanced stages of construction and are 89 per cent and 85 per cent complete respectively. They are scheduled to be delivered in July 2000 and May 2001.
Through Life Support of Collins Submarines
Contracts for through life support for the submarines have been signed with Boeing Australia Ltd, Thompson Marconi Sonar Ltd and the Australian Submarine Corporation, confirming the ability of the Department of Defence and Australian industry to manage and produce important capabilities for Australia's defence.
The requirements of Australian industry involvement specified in the support contract had been exceeded with the achievement of local design and engineering work valued at $45.5 million.
'We have a clear plan to bring these submarines into service with a proven operational capability which will be enhanced on a continuing basis through the support contract. The Collins Class submarine has the potential to be the best conventional submarine in the world today and will serve Australia well into the 21st Century,' Mr McLachlan said.
For further information contact Michael Hughes (Ministerial), phone (02) 6277 7800, Mignon Patterson (Department), phone (02) 6265 2886, or Tony Minchin (ANAO), phone (02) 6203 7456.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, said recently that defence cooperation between Australia and New Zealand was designed to enhance capabilities to maintain independent, militarily useful forces.
Addressing a forum on the Spirit of Anzac - the Trans Tasman Strategic Relationship in Wellington, Mr McLachlan said the different scale of the two defence forces placed some limiting factors on combined operations, with an increasingly serious issue being the different levels of technology.
Australia was conscious of the challenge this posed for interoperability with United States forces. The challenge would be even more stark for interoperability between the Australian Defence Force and the New Zealand Defence Force.
Mr McLachlan described the decision to reduce New Zealand's naval combat force from four frigates to three as 'disappointing'.
The option of maintaining a two-frigate force had been rejected in the NZ 1997 Defence White Paper which stated that three frigates were in practice the minimum required for a self-sustaining combat force.
Australia took a similar view about the need to have a sustainable, independent military capability. However, the makeup of New Zealand's defence force was ultimately a matter for New Zealand alone to resolve.
He offered an Australian perspective on maritime capabilities about the importance of having a surface Navy based on ships the size of frigates and whether those ships should be ANZAC frigates.
The need for range, endurance, seakeeping, speed, manoeuvrability, the capacity to carry helicopters for boarding operations in bad weather conditions and complex sensors - as most recently demonstrated in the operations against alleged toothfish poachers in the Southern Ocean - all showed the key role of large vessels.
In military conflict, a frigate was about the smallest size of ship which could be usefully integrated into coalition operations.
The Australian Government hoped New Zealand would decide to build a third ANZAC frigate. This would be more efficient for alliance cooperation by having a common platform for maintenance and logistic support.
It would also be easier for both navies to work together in exercises and combined operations.
The Minister referred to the expense of modern military operations, through experience in Bougainville and contributions to the coalition on Iraq, which showed how costly military operations could be. Matching the capabilities of the ADF and the NZDF had become harder in this budget context.
Mr McLachlan said he had in mind seeing how far we could go in pooling efforts in such areas as training, education, logistics and industry support while still retaining completely separate forces.
He emphasised that the challenge for the relationship was to build on the Anzac tradition in keeping the alliance modern, militarily capable and relevant to the strategic needs of both Australia and New Zealand.
In a joint communique on defence, both countries said a series of studies would be completed that would examine how our ability to mount combined operations could be improved. The Ministers also asked that an annual report be prepared, assessing progress on how effectively the two forces were operating together.
Military equipment purchase and support strategies would be jointly developed. Candidate projects could include: Army Tactical Communications, Armoured Vehicles, the C 130 Hercules replacement project, and elements of the P3 Orion upgrade.
The Ministers also agreed that there be more consultation between the two forces in the development of their military assistance programs.
Ministers agreed that Australia and New Zealand would continue to work together in support of cooperative defence activities with regional countries, including training, exercising, and high level defence consultation. They considered that in the prevailing economic circumstances in Asia these activities were even more important to stability. The continuing commitment of both countries to the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Regional Forum recognises the importance of supporting arrangements that strengthen confidence and trust in the region.
Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to implement the defence expenditure program set out in the defence reviews recently completed by both countries, and reaffirmed their commitment, separately and through collaboration, to achieve the greatest practicable efficiency in the use of defence dollars. They also endorsed the fundamental importance of rigorous national assessment of required defence capabilities and of adequate, sustained expenditure to secure these capabilities.
Ministers welcomed the great progress of the peace process in Bougainville, and the commitment of all parties to it. They agreed that the Lincoln Agreement was an important milestone on the path to lasting peace, but that the process was far from complete and would need careful nurturing. There would continue to be an important role for Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces, supported by other members of the South Pacific community. In this regard, they welcomed the contribution made by Fiji and Vanuatu to the Truce Monitoring Group, describing it as an excellent example of a constructive regional response to a regional problem.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (Minister's office), phone 0419 428490.
A contract for over $100 million has been signed to acquire and to integrate forward looking infra-red, electronic support and countermeasures equipment for Australia's 16 Seahawk helicopters.
The upgrade contract with Hawker de Havilland Victoria Ltd will provide a sensor suite to enhance the protection and combat effectiveness of the Seahawk helicopters, which operate from the Royal Australian Navy's six Adelaide class frigates.
The selected equipment will be fully integrated into the aircraft's weapon system to provide a significantly improved ability to detect and identify potential threats, and to avoid or counter them.
The new systems will operate at over-the-horizon distances, in all weather conditions, at day or night. Under another contract, the same equipment will also be used for the new Super Seasprite helicopters, which are being acquired from Kaman Aerospace of the USA for the Navy's ANZAC frigates.
The project will result in significant benefits for Australian industry. While component equipment will be sourced from overseas companies, Australian industry will integrate and install the systems into the helicopters.
Hawker de Havilland Victoria Ltd will be the prime contractor and will conduct most of the installation work in Australia. RLM Systems in Melbourne will conduct much of the software integration for the helicopter's weapon system and modify the Seahawk software support centre.
CSC Australia will complete the modification of the Seahawk simulator in Nowra. Australian industry will also be involved in providing the through-life support for most of the procured systems. The new equipment is planned to be operational in the Seahawk helicopters by 2002.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (Minister's office), phone 0419 428490, or Captain Brian Rowe (Department), phone (02) 6266 4980 or 0419 243592.
The Federal Government has announced four senior appointments to follow the retirement of the present Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), General John Baker, the Chief of Army (CA), General John Sanderson and the Chief of Air Force (CAF), Air Marshal Les Fisher.
Vice Admiral Chris Barrie, currently Vice Chief of the Defence Force, will be appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force and promoted to Admiral, Air Vice-Marshal Doug Riding, currently Head of Systems Acquisition - Aerospace will be appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force and promoted to Air Marshal.
Major General Frank Hickling, currently Land Commander Australia, will be appointed Chief of Army and promoted to Lieutenant General. Air Vice-Marshal Errol McCormack, currently Deputy Chief of Air Force will be promoted to Air Marshal and become Chief of Air Force.
All appointments will be for two years effective on the date of retirement of their respective predecessors.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (Minister's office), phone 0419 428490, or Colonel Andrew Reynolds (Department), phone (02) 6265 2929 or 0419 292455.
18-19 May 1998
Conference: 'Oceans, Governance and Maritime Strategy'
Canberra
Jointly sponsored by the RAN Maritime Studies Program and the Centre for Maritime Policy , University of Wollongong.
Contact: Commander Dick Sherwood, Maritime Studies Program, Department of Defence, Canberra, phone (02) 6266 6114.
15-16 June
Workshop: 'Wise up to Ekranoplan GEMs'
University of NSW, Sydney
Organised and sponsored by the Institute of Marine Engineers (Sydney Branch), the University of NSW (Department of Naval Architecture) and Australian Maritime Engineering CRC Ltd.
Contact: L.J. Prandolini, Hon. Secretary, Sydney Branch, IMarE, 58 Melba Drive, East Ryde NSW 2113, phone (02) 9878 1914, fax (02) 9878 4669, e-mail sbimare@msn.com
18-20 August 1998
Spillcon '98 - 7th International Oil Spill Conference: 'Oil Spills: Causes and Cures'
Cairns Convention Centre
Organised by the Australian Institute of Petroleum Ltd (AIP) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Endorsed by International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand (MSANZ).
The conference will cover the following themes: Causes and Prevention; Preparedness; Response Management; Post Spill Issues of Recent Incidents; Case Studies; Public Perception. An on-water demonstration of the latest in oil spill response equipment will be held.
Contact: Conference Secretariat, c/- The Meeting Planners, 108 Church Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122, phone (03) 9819 3700, fax (03) 9819 5978, e-mail spillcon@meetingplanners.com.au.
5-7 January 1999
Hydro 99 - Information Management
University of Plymouth, Devon, UK
Organised by The International Hydrographic Society.
Contact: Ron Whitmore, phone (02) 9489 2091, fax (02) 9489 2048, email seacon@sydpcug.org.au.
Availability of Publications:
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Capital Monitor, PO Box 2891, Canberra City ACT 2601, Phone (02) 6273 4899; Fax (02) 6273 4905
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