Hydrography

"The prosperity of an island nation depends greatly on the extent to which it achieves excellence in hydrography"

Commodore R. Nairn RAN, Hydrographer of Australia, 2010

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The hydrographic surveyor is a specialist in precise positioning and data acquisition in marine environments, expected to work in a wide range of differing situations and applications from inland waters and rivers, to ports and the deep oceans. The effects of wind, waves, changing land and sea levels all necessitate coastal protection. The hydrographic surveyor is a key member of a team comprising planners, ecologists, civil engineers and others dedicated to the acquisition and application of data necessary for monitoring and protection of the environment.

Navigation, oil, gas and mineral resource exploration and recovery, dredging, coastal works, bridge and port construction, submarine pipeline and telephone cable construction, environmental monitoring, aquaculture and oceanographic research are all crucially dependant on the hydrographic surveyor for accurate, reliable information.

Hydrographic surveyors use state of-the-art technology ranging from sophisticated sensors to high accuracy positioning systems and were at forefront of developing and refining the use of GPS/GNSS, enabling worldwide, 24-hour, all weather, high accuracy positioning. The latest underwater acoustic techniques provide precise relative positioning of both surface and subsea vessels over large distances. Seawater temperature and salinity profiles make allowance for changing signal paths in the water layers. Sound impulses emitted at close intervals as a vessel moves ahead enable electronic stacking of reflected data from points on the rock strata. The resulting high-resolution two and three-dimensional images are essential to the successful search for oil and gas. Developments in swathe sounding technology allow coverage of large areas of the oceans from a single vessel in a fraction of the time previously taken. Airborne data gathering (Lidar) has also become more commonplace with the use of colour lasers and remote sensing of the seabed.

In conjunction with the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus), the SSSI Hydrography Commission has produced a video showcasing the importance of hydrography as a spatial science discipline, and positioning hydrographic surveying as a rewarding career opportunity to senior school leavers and those tertiary students studying surveying at university.

The video Hydrography as a Career is available onYouTube or through the dedicated RiAus website.

Acknowledgement - International Federation of Hydrographic Societies 24/3/09

The formation of the Hydrography Commission within the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute follows wide consultation of all interested parties and gives the hydrographic surveying profession in Australia, New Zealand and the region a clear professional structure, resourced and supported by the Institute, within which to focus on their core business. The Commission consists of a National Committee to ensure comprehensive representation of its Members in order to promote the interests of the professional discipline.

Objectives

The objectives of the Hydrography Commission are in accordance with the SSSI Constitution and cater particularly to the needs of the hydrographic surveying community by:

• Promoting the discipline of hydrography
• Encouraging appropriate standards and practice
• Providing professional certification assessment
• Facilitating communication among members of the Commission
• Developing and maintaining a continuing professional development (CPD) programme for hydrographic surveyors
• Developing strong relations with Australasian tertiary education providers offering hydrographic surveying qualifications
• Developing and maintaining strong external relations with the International Hydrographic Organization, the International Federation of Surveyors, and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors
• Representing SSSI on FIG Commission 4 - Hydrography;
• Influencing government policy/legislation with respect to the profession; and
• Maintaining links with kindred societies including the Australasian Hydrographic Society and the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies.

Membership

Membership of the Hydrography Commission is open to all members of SSSI who have an interest in hydrography and those S+SNZ members who are accredited or certified hydrographic surveyors. All successful applicants certified by the Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel who elect to become members of SSSI or S+SNZ are automatically included on the Hydrography Commission roll.

Why Should I Join?

• Professional Home: An institute that provides a national and international home for you as professional hydrographic surveyor.
• Events: Access to a wide range of national events, including seminars, workshops and online training.
• Professional Development: Access to internationally-recognised hydrographic surveying certification and the opportunity to manage your continuing professional development through a structured CPD programme.
• Make a Difference: Help shape the future of hydrography in Australasia and promote the discipline of hydrographic surveying through active Commission involvement, engagement and participation.
• Recognition: Obtain recognition from Government, the community, and from industry peers for your contribution to the spatial sciences profession through the national Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards program.
• Industry Information: Enhance your professional standing and knowledge through industry updates and access to newsletters, magazines and journals including Hydro International, bi-monthly editions of Position Magazine, the Journal of Spatial Sciences, and the SSSIs monthly GeoMessage e-newsletter.

Contact

If you have any queries, don't hesitate to contact the Hydrographic Commission Chair via email or contact the SSSI Commission Manager, Su Ling Meimaris.