Zavora Marine Lab Internship, Oceans Research

Interns attending the Zavora Marine Lab will gain practical training skills in the following areas. In addition, a number of additional opportunities will be available for interns to partake in on arrival at the laboratory.

• Underwater photo identification of Manta rays
• Underwater focal diver impact on Manta Rays
• Underwater coral reef health and status surveys
• Underwater focal diver behaviour surveys
• Conducting user group surveys on marine eco-tourism
• Underwater video based Manta ray behaviour monitoring
• Underwater photo identification of Manta rays
• Underwater coral reef health and status surveys
• Visual census of benthonic and pelagic species
• Underwater focal diver behaviour surveys
• Conducting user group surveys on marine eco-tourism
• Land based humpback whale survey (June to November)
• Land based turtle survey (December to March)

Optional extras:

• Reef check courses (Global and Regional Reef Monitoring)
• Any level PADI course
• Any level Nitrox course
• Any level of Technical diving course

Application information

Oceans Research offers interns the opportunity to get in-depth field experience in one of the world´s most exciting and challenging marine research projects.

The internship program is aimed at assisting in the development of students training in the area of biological science. However, we willingly invite applications from all students and enthusiasts who have a passion for the oceans and want to extend their knowledge through real life experience.

Participants will be required to enroll for a minimum of one month.

Application Process

1. Complete the below enquiry form.

2. Our administrative manager will then forward you the application form.

3. Forward your completed application form along with a photograph of yourself and your curriculum vitae.

Submit your enquiry

Your name:	Your email address:
Phone Number:	Your University:
Please use the following box to tell us more about yourself, including the Marine labs you are interested in interning at:

Under construction

Eligibility?

The internship program is aimed at assisting in the development of students training in the area of biological science. However, we willingly invite applications from all students and enthusiasts who have a passion for the oceans and want to extend their knowledge through real life experience.

• Current students enrolled in academic institutes and studying towards a science major;
• Graduated scientists with a minimum of a B.Sc. (or equivalent) with a scientific major;
• Exceptional naturalists who can show a ‘real world’ dedication to research, management or conservation of animals or ecosystems.

For how long?

Interns will be asked to stay for a minimum of one month and maximum of four months (in exceptional cases shorter or longer internships will be considered at some research stations). If attending multiple laboratories, interns will be required to stay a minimum of one month at each laboratory. If you are interested in applying for postgraduate study, an initial internship period of three months is required.

Where?

The four research labs are situated at:

• Mossel Bay Marine Lab: Mossel Bay, South Africa - a coastal town located approximately 400 kilometres from Cape Town.
• Namibian Dolphin Project: Walvis Bay, Namibia. One of only 3 coastal towns along the sparsely populated Namibian coast, Walvis Bay is the largest harbour in the country and has all modern amenities, but is surrounded by miles of untamed desert in all directions. Lies 400km west the capital Windhoek (WDH), through which most flights will be routed.

Flights?

If, for your first month, you are interning at:

• Mossel Bay: travel arrangements must be made from your home town to George Airport, South Africa.
• Namibia: travel arrangements must be made from your home town to Walvis Bay Airport, Namibia (Windhoek airport is an alternative arrival site, an interns can shuttle (at their own cost) to Walvis bay).

Arrival dates and arrangments:

Pick ups and drop offs from George and Walvis Bay Airports will be organised for the first of the month. Interns arriving or leaving outside this time will be required to arrange transport between the Airport and the Research Station at their own cost.

Departure flights should be booked from the Airport closest to the Research Station where you will be spending your last month of the internship.

Domestic flights within South Africa can be easily arranged one of the following companies (www.kulula.com, www.1time.aero , www.flysaa.com, www.flynationwide.co.za, www.flyairlink.com, www.flysax.com).

Flights between South Africa (Johennesburg) and Namibia (Walvis Bay) can be arranged by the following companies: www.flysaa.com and www.flysax.com

Should you choose to do your internship at more than one research station, you are responsible for the cost and organisation of transport between stations.

Overland travel arrangements between stations will be facalitiated by Oceans Research at interns own cost (circa 500 Rand per transfer).

Cost?

Research funding is not allocated to cover running expenses of this program in terms of food, accommodation, travel expenses and additional living expenses for interns. These costs must be covered by applicants. Living costs are set on an annual basis. The equivalent of 15000R per month is therefore requested from all the applicants, which will cover accommodation, food and boarding. Air travel to and from the research sites are not included in the 15000R. The cost includes:

• Your transfer from the airport to the research site when you arrive (please refer to information on “Arrival dates and arrangements”)
• Your transfer from the research site to the airport when you leave (please refer to information on “Arrival dates and arrangements”)
• Food for your entire stay
• Lodging (the rooms will be shared with other students)
• A house keeper who will clean and cook
• Water and electricity for the house for the students
• All practical training instruction
• Every day transport from the house to the research sites and back
• Some SCUBA diving equipment (although we recommend you bring personal soft equipment) and air fills.

Other services provided by external companies will be available at additional costs (please enquiry if you are interested in one of those activities):

• Internet
• SCUBA diving training (any level)
• Laundry service
• Excursions
• Bar fridge drinks
• Reef Check course (including material and certification)

Depending on the applicant habits and lifestyle, we usually suggest adding to their monthly budget about 2000 to 3000 South African Rand for their souvenirs, excursions, entertainment and other personal daily needs.

Can I cancel or change the dates of the internship?

Due to the number of applications received and limited places, we unfortunately do not accept all applying interns. Therefore, we do not welcome cancellations or date changes after the final confirmation has been sent to us. Please, make sure that the dates you indicate in your application form suit your own schedule/budget before applying.

We request that a 1 month deposit (the equivalent of 15000 South African Rand ) is paid on acceptance into the program as confirmation (foreign and local bank fees are at the applicant´s cost). The remaining fee must be paid in full within two weeks following arrival in South Africa. Cancellations prior to 6 months before internship begins are accepted without cancellation fee (deposit will be refunded in full). Cancellations between 6 and 3 months before the start of the internship will be charged a penalty of 50% (50% refund of deposit). Cancellations that are done less than 3 months before the start of the internship will include a 25% refund. We would, however, appreciate it if you could let us know of any changes or cancellations as soon as you are aware of these, so that we are able to welcome another applicant.

Do I need a VISA?

Mossel Bay, South Africa: No. As a research intern you are volunteering and entitled to enter on a temporary visitor s permit (e.g. tourism permit). Tourist visiting visa´s are issued for three months / 90 days upon entry in South Africa. However, we do recommend that you contact the South African Embassy or Consulate in your country and confirm this fact. If your application period is for a period longer than three months, or if you plan to travel in South Africa prior or after your internship for a period extending 90 days, you will have to apply for a Tourist / Visitor VISA application through your home embassy.

Namibia: Very few countries need visa´s for Namibia. Please check the following site to confirm that you do not require a permit (http://www.namibia.org.za/consular.html)

Do I need insurance?

Yes. When you are accepted in this program, you will have to sign liability, copyright documents, as well an agreement that you are knowingly partaking in potentially dangerous activities. You will not be covered for accidents or illnesses, so please do organize your own medical and health insurances. You may apply for a normal travel insurance policy. Chances that you will be injured by a marine predator are very little if you follow the safety guidelines and do not try anything foolish which we would not approve. But you will be working on a boat in conditions which can, at times, be less than comfortable. Accidents on a boat may occur, so it is important to be covered in case of an emergency or accident. Be sure to have an insurance cover for your entire stay in Southern Africa.

For SCUBA divers, you also need to be insured by the Divers Alert Network (DAN). Oceans Research can organise this for you at an extra cost.

Do I need any specific vaccination or medication before coming to southern Africa?

No, these research stations are far from Malaria areas, and there are no strange African diseases which you could pick up (that is if you respect the same safety rules as anywhere else in the world).

What do I need to bring?

Some old jeans; tops and shoes/boots to use on the boat; warm clothing; a wind breaker jacket; good waterproof clothing; factor 30+ sun block and a wide brim hat; polarised sunglasses (allows you to see through the water better); diving certification, and/or skippering licence, and/or VHF certificate (in case you have). Bed sheets will be provided. You may either bring a towel and a face cloth or buy in southern Africa. It is adviced to use wetsuits of at least 5mm since dives sometimes involve diving below the thermocline. Working at sea off the Namibian Dolphin Project can be quite cold due to wind chill factor off the ocean and occasional seafog in the mornings, thermals and wind/waterproof jackets are required. Conditions on land tend to be sunny, warm to hot and windy in the afternoons.

Do we have weekends off?

No, but yes... The weather along the coast of southern Africa is not stable, and the sea does not allow field work every day. You will have days off whenever the weather and sea condition do not allow field work, and no other work on the data or maintenance is needed.

Sometimes we have long periods during which the weather is nice and after 4-5 days at sea, we will then take a couple of days break. Why? Well, being at sea is very tiring, constantly balancing yourself, baking in the hot sun, scuba diving and being blown by the wind, so after a few days at sea, your body will need a rest.

Can I dive with Great White sharks or dive recreationally?

The internship project is not a white shark cage diving trip, nor a holiday, and cage diving is not part of the internship program at Mossel Bay Marine Lab. Nevertheless, we can try to organize a cage dive with the commercial operator if time and conditions allow it (this will be at an interns own cost).

How can I get more information?

On acceptance of your formal application, you will be asked (if you are not already) to be registered on Facebook (www.facebook.com). Then you will be invited to join a communication group run by the institute. This forum will enable you to ask questions and seek out any additional information, meeting and networking with us and other interns.

Further information is also available by writing to Lezanne Brits: internship@oceans-research.com