Join Our Team
Southern Ocean Exploration (SOE) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to locating and recording historic shipwrecks across Southern Australian waters.
Whether you are an experienced technical diver, a sonar operator, a maritime historian, or someone passionate about researching lost history, we are interested to hear from you.
In-Water Team
For divers focused on survey, documentation, and 3D modelling.
What You’ll Do: Explore target sites, measure seabed features, and take high-resolution photo sequences to build 3D models (photogrammetry) of wreck sites for heritage protection and public education.
What We Look For:
Advanced Open Water or Technical Diving qualifications (Trimix / Rebreather for deeper targets).
GIRT (Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical), AIMA/NAS certification, or a willingness to complete heritage training.
Experience with cold-water ocean conditions and a strict "look, record, don't touch" mindset.
On-Water Team
For boaters, sonar operators, and search crew.
What You’ll Do: Map search grids, operate side-scan sonar and magnetometers to find seabed anomalies, and manage deck and surface support during diving operations.
What We Look For:
Boating experience or marine tickets
Interest or skills in side-scan sonar, GPS mapping, or GIS.
Familiarity with surface search principles or general sea-deck safety.
Land Team
For researchers, history buffs, and digital volunteers.
What You’ll Do: Uncover the stories behind missing ships. You'll search historical newspaper archives, build target search zones, process 3D photogrammetry models, and help write site reports for state heritage bodies.
What We Look For:
Strong research, library, or archival skills (e.g., Trove, public registers).
AIMA/NAS training (classroom/online modules) or background in history/archaeology.
Skills in digital media, grant writing, or data management.