Hydrographic surveyor

Hydrographic surveyors measure and map, by means of specialised equipment, marine environments. They collect scientific data in order to study the underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water.

Here are the typical duties of hydrographic surveyors:

• Plan and coordinate hydrographic surveying projects, including determining survey objectives, selecting survey methods, scheduling fieldwork, and allocating resources. Consider factors such as tidal patterns, weather conditions, water depths, and survey accuracy requirements.
• Conduct hydrographic surveys using a variety of surveying instruments and techniques, such as single-beam and multi-beam echosounders, side-scan sonar, bathymetric lidar, and GNSS positioning systems. Collect data on water depths, seabed features, submerged obstructions, and coastal topography.
• Generate accurate bathymetric maps, charts, and digital terrain models (DTMs) of the seafloor using survey data. This involves processing raw survey data, interpolating soundings, and creating contour lines to represent underwater features and terrain variations.
• Determine the positions of navigation aids, such as buoys, beacons, and lighthouses, relative to surveyed reference points. This information is critical for maritime navigation, vessel routing, and coastal safety.
• Conduct surveys to support dredging operations, including measuring sediment depths, identifying shoals and underwater hazards, and monitoring dredging progress. Provide accurate depth information to guide dredging equipment and ensure safe navigation channels.
• Survey underwater infrastructure, such as pipelines, cables, piers, and offshore platforms, to assess their condition, location, and integrity. This information is used for maintenance planning, construction projects, and environmental monitoring.
• Analyze tidal data to account for tidal effects on water levels and soundings during surveying operations. Correct soundings for tidal variations to produce accurate depth measurements relative to a common reference datum.
• Ensure the accuracy and reliability of survey data through rigorous quality control measures. This includes calibrating surveying equipment, conducting field checks, and verifying data consistency and integrity.
• Interpret survey data to identify submerged features, such as reefs, shoals, wrecks, and geological formations, that may pose navigation hazards or have environmental significance. Provide actionable intelligence to stakeholders for decision-making purposes.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards governing hydrographic surveying activities. This includes adhering to safety regulations, environmental regulations, and hydrographic surveying guidelines established by maritime authorities.
• Prepare survey reports, charts, and hydrographic products to communicate survey findings to stakeholders, including government agencies, maritime industry professionals, research institutions, and coastal management authorities.
• Collaborate with marine scientists, oceanographers, geologists, engineers, and other professionals to support interdisciplinary projects and address complex challenges related to coastal and marine environments.

The following job titles also refer to hydrographic surveyor:

hydrographer
hydrographic research scientist
hydrographic analyst
hydrographic researcher
field hydrographer
hydrographic research analyst
hydrography surveyor
hydrographic scientist
hydrographic science researcher

Hydrographic surveyors work in both office and field environments, with fieldwork conducted aboard survey vessels, boats, or specialized survey platforms. Fieldwork may involve working in offshore or coastal waters, often in remote or challenging conditions such as rough seas, adverse weather, and limited visibility. Office-based tasks include data processing, analysis, and reporting using specialized hydrographic software and GIS tools.

A bachelor’s degree in hydrographic surveying, marine geomatics, oceanography, or a related field is typically required for entry-level positions as a hydrographic surveyor. Practical experience gained through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions in hydrographic surveying or marine operations is valuable. Proficiency in surveying instruments, hydrographic software, and GIS tools is essential. Hydrographic surveyors may also require certification or licensure, depending on jurisdictional requirements. Continuous learning and staying updated on advancements in hydrographic surveying technology and marine science contribute to ongoing professional development as a hydrographic surveyor.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Hydrographic surveyor is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to hydrographic surveyor.

geographic information systems specialist
land surveyor
cartographer
cadastral technician
land planner

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of hydrographic surveyor.

• Geomatics: The scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.
• Surveying: The technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.
• Cartography: The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications.
• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
• Surveying methods: Have an understanding of surveying methods, remote sensing methods and equipment.
• Topography: Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.
• Geodesy: The scientific discipline that combines applied mathematics and earth sciences in order to measure and represent the Earth. It studies phenomena such as gravitational fields, polar motion, and tides.
• Bathymetry: The scientific discipline that studies underwater topography.
• Hydrography: The scientific discipline that studies and measures the physical features of bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and rivers. It studies the current situation for navigational purposes and predicts change over time.

These skills are necessary for the role of hydrographic surveyor.

• Record survey measurements: Gather and process descriptive data by using documents such as sketches, drawings and notes.
• Prepare surveying report: Write a survey report containing information on property boundaries, the height and depth of the terrain, etc..
• Collect mapping data: Collect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.
• Document survey operations: Complete and file all required administrative, operational and technical documents related to a survey operation.
• Perform surveying calculations: Perform calculations and gather technical data in order to determine earth curvature corrections, traverse adjustments and closures, level runs, azimuths, marker placements, etc.
• Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
• Conduct underwater surveys: Conduct subaquatic surveys to measure and map the underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water in order to aid the planning of aquaculture projects, the construction of marine constructions, and the exploration of natural resources.
• Operate surveying instruments: Operate and adjust measuring instruments such as theodolites and prisms, and other electronic distance-measuring tools.
• Adjust surveying equipment: Ensure accuracy of measurement by adjusting surveying equipment.
• Compare survey computations: Determine the accuracy of data by comparing computations with applicable standards.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hydrographic surveyor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Geographic information systems: The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
• Oceanography: The scientific discipline that studies oceanic phenomena such as marine organisms, plate tectonics, and the geology of the ocean bottom.
• Geology: Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
• Geography: The scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hydrographic surveyor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Collect geological data: Participate in the collection of geological data such as core logging, geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveying, digital data capture, etc.
• Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Compile GIS-data: Gather and organise GIS-data from sources such as databases and maps.
• Develop geological databases: Develop geological databases in order to acquire and organise information.
• Process collected survey data: Analyse and interpret survey data acquired from a wide variety of sources e.g. satellite surveys, aerial photography and laser measurement systems.
• Study aerial photos: Use aerial photos to study phenomena on Earth’s surface.
• Apply digital mapping: Make maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.
• Steer vessels: Operate and steer vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, tankers, and container ships.
• Create thematic maps: Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.
• Use CAD software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
• Interpret geophysical data: Interpret data of a geophysical nature: Earth’s shape, its gravitational and magnetic fields, its structure and composition, and geophysical dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics.
• Create GIS reports: Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.
• Conduct research before survey: Acquire information about property and its boundaries before the survey by searching legal records, survey records, and land” titles.
• Advise architects: Give advice on design, safety issues, and cost reduction to architects during the pre-application phase.
• Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
• Assist hydrographic surveys: Assist in the installation and deployment of hydrographic surveying equipment.
• Collect data using gps: Gather data in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.
• Provide information on geological characteristics: Provide information on geological structures, host rock quality, groundwater implications and details on the mineralogical and textural composition of ores to enable mining and processing to be planned efficiently. The geological model is used to design the mine workings for minimum dilution and maximum ore extraction.
• Design scientific equipment: Design new equipment or adapt existing equipment to aid scientists in gathering and analysing data and samples.
• Prepare geological map sections: Prepare geological sections, a vertical view of the local geology.

2165 – Cartographers and surveyors

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References

1. Hydrographic surveyor – ESCO
2. Hydrographic Surveyor Job Description | Go Construct
3. Featured image: By Hydrographic Surveyor, British Waterways by John Carver, CC BY-SA 2.0