As an Electronics Technician on the JOIDES Resolution, Jurie Kotze is responsible for keeping the ship’s equipment in working condition by providing support services to researchers, technicians, and all other personnel on the ship that handle different types of equipment and technical instrumentation on a daily basis. Apart from being able to set up and test any type of measurement equipment used on the ship, Jurie performs instrument inspections to diagnose, maintain, and operate equipment to detect malfunctions. If malfunctions occur he has to fix the instrument and make it work. This may include adjusting, repairing, or replacing faulty components. Jurie must also be able to input commands and data into computer systems to modify test parameters or assist in equipment design to collect the data the scientists use in their research, ensuring that the data is accurate.

In basic terms, the electronic technician’s job is to set up, operate, maintain and monitor measuring systems and devices for data acquisition and analysis. They do this by constructing and maintaining test records on the equipment that is being tested. Once this is accomplished, they interpret the test results on the parts, assemblies, and mechanisms of each piece. The electronic technician must also confer with other engineering personnel and scientists regarding their test procedures and results.

The electronics technician usually has a background in electronics engineering and is able to work on any electronic piece aboard the JOIDES Resolution. A partial list of equipment found on the ship that an electronics technician has a working knowledge of include: the Digital Imaging system (DIS), Pycnometer, Multisensor Track (MST), cryogenic magnetometer, the digital archive mutisensor track, the rock evaluation instrument, X-ray diffraction machine, and Carver press. The functioning of other equipment on the ship such as all radar systems, the steering stand, telegraph, the GMDSS, and radio equipment are their domain as well and are requirements for safe and productive ship operations.

Staff Name: Jurie Kotze

Majors: Electrical Engineering, Electronics

Education: 4 years of college

Courses: Circuits, electrical units, math

Experiences: Engineering internships

Hometown: Ermelo, South Africa, near the Kumati River

Interests: Electrical components, engineering

Life Experience: Worked for the South African military as a private aeronautics engineer, ran his own electronics company EPI, worked for the African Broadcasting Company, and then came to the JOIDES Resolution

Interests: Growing roses, farming, fishing, hunting game (antelopes), woodworking, spending time with family and friends

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