1.30pm – 1.55pm, 6 November 2024 ‐ 25 mins
Room: Space One & Two
Hull Design
Director of Naval Ship Concept Design, Royal Australian Navy
Joseph Cole is the Director of Naval Ship Concept Design within the Royal Australian Navy’s Engineering Branch. Joe is responsible for leading the rebuild of the Navy Engineering capability for early-stage design and trade studies in support of capability development. He has extensive experience of the RAN surface combatant program, having handed over the accountable role in Navy Engineering in late 2022. Joe has experience delivering studies and concepts associated with future surface combatants, patrol vessels and landing craft. Joe completed his Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture) degree at the Australian Maritime College in 2002, graduating with Honours.Naval Architect, Royal Australian Navy
Alistair Smith is a naval architect within the Naval Ship Concept Design team, having been its inaugural member upon establishment in 2022. Alistair previously served the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel acquisition program, overseeing the development and review of naval architecture design elements between contract signature in 2018 and first-of-class launch in 2021. Alistair completed his Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture) degree at the University of New South Wales in 2015, graduating with First Class Honours and the University Medal.Mechanical Engineer, Royal Australian Navy
Gethin Barden holds the position of Mechanical Engineer in the Naval Ship Concept Design team. Gethin is responsible for supporting the RAN and other ADF maritime stakeholders in early-stage concept, requirements, and project support. Gethin’s previous experience includes test and activation systems engineering on Hobart Class destroyers, systems engineering during early-stage acquisition phases for frigates and Army watercraft programs, ship construction assurance of Arafura Class vessels and analysis of reference ship designs to support project sponsors. Gethin has completed additional studies, achieving a Graduate Diploma in Naval Engineering.