Thirty university students and trainers from across Australia will get the training experience of a lifetime when they take to the seas for a circumnavigation of Tasmania aboard CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator.
The 10-day voyage is part of an innovative tertiary sea training program called CAPSTAN, the Collaborative Australian Postgraduate Sea-Training Alliance Network , which is being delivered in partnership with Australia's national science agency, marine science industries, universities and government.
The CAPSTAN program addresses a gap in how marine science education is delivered in Australia and will expose marine science students from 16 Australian universities to life and work onboard CSIRO's advanced ocean research vessel.
It offers a national approach to applied teaching and learning excellence in marine science and wider science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
CAPSTAN Director, Dr Pier van der Merwe from the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), said the sea-going experience was invaluable for developing Australia's next generation of marine experts.
"Nothing compares with hands-on learning. For future marine scientists, this is where the action happens – where theory is put into practice and where concepts sink in because students can observe the ecosystem with their own eyes," Dr van der Merwe said.
"They can feel cold wind on their face and relate that to sea surface temperature data streaming into the ship, or experience the sun rise over the horizon and watch photosynthetically active radiation sensors detect that.
"Being at sea is where it all makes sense for marine science students."
The voyage will immerse students in the full suite of marine science operations, from atmospheric and oceanographic studies to surveys of deep-sea ecosystems and marine life.
Students will be involved in seafloor mapping and sediment sampling, and will also participate in the search for a historic shipwreck off the northwest coast of Tasmania.
CAPSTAN Voyage Manager, Dr Ben Arthur from CSIRO, said students will get experience with RV Investigator's multidisciplinary science systems, equipment and operations over the course of the voyage.
"CAPSTAN offers an incredible learning opportunity for students, and they'll be involved in a wide range of operations to collect data and samples to support real-world research projects that address real-world challenges," Dr Arthur said.
"The training program is designed to be like the multidisciplinary research we deliver during each of our science voyages so that students get a wide exposure to science operations at sea.
"They'll get a bit of everything and even receive training in some traditional maritime skills such as knot tying."
CAPSTAN students' background studies range from biological and chemical oceanography to geoscience and engineering.
Women make up two thirds of students on the voyage.
CAPSTAN student, Kim Schwindke, said she was excited to have the chance to learn from and work alongside the other students, trainers, technicians and crew.
"With everyone on the voyage coming from such diverse backgrounds, and with the extensive experience from those onboard, it feels like a huge opportunity to bring together different disciplines and perspectives, and build relationships and shared knowledge," Ms Schwindke said.
"It really feels like that will be so powerful in shaping the future of our oceans."
The voyage is the first in the CAPSTAN program following the completion of a pilot program during 2017 to 2020.
Two more CAPSTAN training voyages are planned in the upcoming voyage schedules of RV Investigator, and the program lays the foundation for the further development of a national integrated training approach.
"We hope that students will 'seas the opportunity' that CAPSTAN offers, and we look forward to seeing them leading research projects on RV Investigator and other research vessels in the years ahead," Dr Arthur said.
The CAPSTAN voyage departs Hobart on Saturday 8 March, will complete a circumnavigation of Tasmania over 10 days, and then finish back in Hobart on Monday 17 March.
The CAPSTAN program is a maritime education and training initiative of Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and the Australian and New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium (ANZIC).
RV Investigator is part of the Marine National Facility, national collaborative research infrastructure funded by the Australian Government and operated by CSIRO on behalf of the nation.
CAPSTAN partners CSIRO and the Australian and New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium (ANZIC) receive funding for this activity from the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
Attributable quotes
Dr Georgia Nester – Voyage Chief Scientist
"The CAPSTAN program is a rare and invaluable opportunity to mentor and train the next generation of marine scientists in an immersive research environment aboard RV Investigator.
"It goes beyond learning techniques—students are fully immersed in marine science, from designing research questions to working with advanced scientific equipment and analysis tools.
"This experience fosters collaboration, critical thinking and real-world problem-solving, equipping participants with the skills needed for a career at sea.
"As Chief Scientist, I'm excited to share my expertise in environmental DNA (eDNA) and deep-sea research while learning from the diverse perspectives of students and fellow researchers."
Dr Sarah Kachovich – Program Manager, Australian and New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium (ANZIC)
"CAPSTAN is a rare and exciting opportunity that opens doors for participants, and we're proud to support it.
"This hands-on training gives students the skills and confidence to tackle vital research - not just for Australia, but on a global scale, preparing them to join and lead major scientific projects.
"It's equipping our scientists to explore not just our oceans, but the Earth beneath the oceans, to answer critical questions about our planet and our future."
Ms Toni Moate – Director, CSIRO Marine National Facility
"The Marine National Facility not only enables incredible research to be conducted on board RV Investigator year-round, it inspires and supports training the next generation of marine researchers and technicians through programs like CAPSTAN.
"By bringing students on board, we broaden their horizons and provide them with hands-on experience which we hope is going to fuel their ongoing discovery.
"We're proud to be able to support this initiative and help cultivate the next generation of ocean stewards."
