AMC receives tribute from Defence Science and Technology Organisation

A long-standing AMC research collaborator has paid tribute to the relationship with a special presentation to college staff.

Terry Turner, of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, gave staff at the National Centre for Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics a plaque to commemorate the 500th test model, which arrived at AMC in July. The model of a frigate, made by local model maker Stuart Phillips, was part of an ongoing DSTO/AMC project. The project is one of many undertaken by the two organisations since they began collaborating around 20 years ago.

Presenting the plaque to AMC’s towing tank and model test basin manager Gregor Macfarlane, Mr Turner said the relationship had been fruitful for DSTO and the presentation was a simple gesture of gratitude.

“This is in appreciation of all the work these guys have done in support of DSTO over the years and to congratulate them on the 500th milestone as well,” Mr Turner said.

Mr Turner said the naval architecture area that he works for within DSTO currently had four projects underway with AMC. Beyond that, his organisation has a strong interest in fostering talent with the recruitment of several Naval Architecture graduates over the last few years and the sponsorship of several final year naval architecture students each year.

A regular visitor to the testing facilities from his Melbourne base with DSTO’s Maritime Platform Division, Mr Turner said talks were underway with AMC on developing another three short and long-term projects.

The 500th model at the centre of the presentation is the subject of a two-year collaborative research project into the motions and loads of the vessel.

AMC’s Gregor Macfarlane said at the time it was the perfect combination of players to bring number 500 into being.

“It’s a very complex model and it’s been built by Stuart Phillips, who has constructed the majority of our most challenging hydrodynamic test models over the past two decades. It is also satisfying in that this model is for one of our major research collaborators in the Maritime Platforms Division of DSTO, whom we have had a good relationship with for many years.”

Information Released by:
Patrick Cranny
Australian Maritime College
Phone: 6335 4484
Mobile: 0429 117 000
Email: p.cranny@amc.edu.au