Semaphore: Sea Power Centre - Australia Publications

The Sea Power Centre - Australia (SPC-A) undertakes the study, discussion and the promotion of awareness of maritime issues and strategy within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the Defence and civil communities.

The SPC-A mission entails:

• managing the development of strategic-level RAN doctrine and concepts, and their integration with Australian Defence Force (ADF) joint doctrine
• conducting research, studying developments in, and publishing papers on maritime strategy and naval history
• fostering regional and international engagement through conferences, briefings and lectures on maritime affairs and naval history
• developing, preserving and promoting Australia’s naval history
• overseeing the education of junior naval officers through the development of curriculum via the Maritime & Strategic Studies Program
• advising Chief of Navy (CN) on RAN ship names and battle honours
• responding to government, department and public enquiries on maritime doctrine, sea power and naval history.

King-Hall Naval History Conference 2009

The sixth biennial King-Hall Naval History Conference will be held in Canberra on 30-31 July 2009. The theme this year is The Commonwealth Navies: 100 Years of Cooperation. The conference is open to the public and previous events have attracted a wide range of academics, scholars, serving and retired military personnel and interested lay people. Further information is available on the SPC-A website www.navy.gov.au/spc-a or just email our conference cell at seapower.conferences@defence.gov.au.

RAN Sea Power Conference 2010

The sixth biennial Sea Power Conference will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27-29 January 2010. The conference will explore the theme of Combined and Joint Operations from the Sea and should attract approximately 800 delegates from across the globe. Its aim is to inform how Australia’s new expeditionary capabilities may be best introduced into service and used to advantage. Further information will shortly be available on our web site.

Calling All Authors and Researchers

The SPC-A is always willing to look at quality manuscripts on historical and contemporary naval and maritime issues. If you are the author of such a paper please contact the Deputy Director Research via the centre's email to discuss its suitability for publication.

Peter Mitchell Essay Competition

The Peter Mitchell Essay Competition is conducted annually by the SPC-A on behalf of CN. The competition is open to members of Commonwealth navies who can put their ideas in writing. Monetary prizes are awarded to the best efforts. The competition rules, information on the available topics and the closing date may be found on our web site.

RAN Reading List

The online version of the RAN Reading List 2006 is updated regularly, with the next revision planned for May 2009. The reading list is for use by all sailors and officers of the RAN, as well as others involved or interested in maritime strategy, doctrine, history or navies in general. It can be downloaded from our web site.

Comments, recommendations and reviews are welcome.

Conference Proceedings

Proceedings for both the biannual RAN Sea Power Conference and the King-Hall Naval History Conference are now prepared and published by the SPC-A. The RAN Sea Power Conference 2008 proceedings are currently being distributed.

Australia and its Maritime Interests: At Home and in the Region. Edited by Andrew Forbes

Our Publications

The Sea Power Centre - Australia produces four series of publications: Semaphore, Working Papers, Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs (PIAMA), and Foundations of International Thinking on Sea Power (IntSP). Electronic copies are available from our web site. Please contact the Information Manager to enquire about availability of hard copies. The form below allows you to subscribe to the SPC-A mailing list or to update your details.

Semaphore

The SPC-A produces a regular Semaphore newsletter. Together these address a range of historical and contemporary maritime issues relevant to the RAN and/or Australia.

Working Papers

Working Papers foster debate and discussion on naval and maritime issues relevant to the RAN, ADF and to Australia and the region more generally. SPC-A Working Papers include:

No. 18

Database of RAN Operations 1990-2005. By Vanessa Bendle et al

No. 19

An Effects-Based Anti-Submarine Warfare Strategy. By Mark Hammond

No. 20

Strength Through Diversity: The Combined Naval Role in Operation STABILISE. By David Stevens

Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs

Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs (PIAMA) are substantial works by authors undertaking research into regional naval and maritime issues. PIAMA includes:

No. 21

Australian Maritime Issues 2007: SPC-A Annual. Edited by Andrew Forbes

No. 22

Freedom of Navigation in the Indo-Pacific Region. By Stuart Kaye

No. 23

Asian Energy Security: Regional Cooperation in the Malacca Strait. Edited by Andrew Forbes (forthcoming)

No. 24

The Global Maritime Partnership Initiative. By Chris Rahman

Foundations of International Thinking on Sea Power

This series is a refereed publication that reflects research, both historical and contemporary, on how various States perceive sea power. The series re-examines the fundamental understanding of sea power in a variety of cultural traditions from ancient times to the present day. The first in this series is:

No. 1

Ancient Egyptian Sea Power and the Origin of Maritime Forces. By Gregory P Gilbert

Commercial Publications

Sea Power Centre staff contribute to a wide assortment of external publications including edited works, academic journals and popular magazines.

Australia’s Navy in the Gulf: From Countenance to Catalyst 1941-2006 Edited by Greg Nash and David Stevens. Topmill Press, RRP $9.95

Australia’s Navy in Vietnam: Royal Australian Navy Operations 1965-72 Edited by John Perryman and Brett Mitchell. (contact Topmill Press direct)

Research Collection

The SPC-A maintains a Research Collection that incorporates the Australian Naval Institute library. It holds a wealth of naval resources, including Navy News, Navy Lists, Reports of Proceedings and Ship Movement reports. The research collection is normally available for use 0900-1630 each weekday, but it is not possible to borrow items. Researchers are requested to email or ring the SPC-A to confirm access, particularly if visiting from outside Canberra. The SPC-A will gladly accept book donations on naval and maritime matters.

Sea Power Centre - Australia Contact List