Navy People: Charting the Ocean Floor
1 February 2010
Cairns local Jessica Bishop, 24, said when she’s at sea she spends her days “Collecting information through ships surveys to create charts of the ocean floor.” Her job entails operating oceanographic survey equipment and driving small boats. “We use both multi-beam, single beam echo sounders to collect depth data and we get to go on tide camps to observe the tidal streams. Tidal information is used with sonar data to provide accurate charts to ensure the safety of everyone on the water.
Leading Seaman Hydrographic Surveyor Operator (LSHSO) Jessica Bishop was born in Modbury Adelaide in 1985, completing year 12 at Birdwood High School.
Jessica moved out of home, leaving her parents Sue and Geoff and Sister Kate, to join the Royal Australia Navy in 2004. Jessica beams when she talks about how exciting it was joining the Navy for the first time. “It was one of my most scariest but memorable times, because I was leaving home for the first time to pursue my career.”
Since joining the Navy and completing recruit school at HMAS Cerberus, (just outside Melbourne) and her Hydrographic Surveying course at HMAS Penguin in Sydney, Jessica then joined HMAS Cairns in December 2004. She has now made Cairns her home in between her seagoing rotations on the survey ships HMAS Melville and HMAS Leeuwin. Jessica has visited every major port on the mainland and her work has also taken her to many remote areas and smaller communities around Australia.
Jessica speaks about one of her best experiences being with the Whales! “The whales were attracted to the vibration of the generators and would swim around our ship and rub themselves against the hull.”
In December 2009, LS Bishop was awarded the HMAS Cairns Sailor of the Month for an unfailing and diligent devotion to providing a high quality service in HMAS Cairns. Through her excellent service and genuine approach to work, she has significantly contributed to the HMAS Cairns mission to support the Royal Australian Navy fleet. She is a very valuable member of HMAS Cairns.
Jessica married her partner Luke of 5 years and moved into a new home in Kanimbla while mum and dad live in Palm Cove, the family all now consider Cairns to be home. Jessica is due to have her first baby in February 2010. “I’m so excited, to meet our new arrival”.
Hydrographic ships are all home ported at HMAS Cairns. Jessica will continue to be a local hydrographic sailor contributing to the safety of Australia’s maritime activities.
When asked about her career choice Jessica confirms “I enjoy being in the Navy and being part of HMAS Cairns, you make friends for life and experience once in a life time events”. I thoroughly recommend the Royal Australian Navy as a career.
