Looking for a career in Hydrography?

By Venessa O’Connell

A career in Hydrography can be extremely exciting and rewarding, with the workplace enabling the choice of being in the great outdoors or carrying out important calculations in the office. Many career opportunities today require a balance between the two activities. Technology is improving daily and thus the hydrographer is ensured of an ever changing and technologically stimulating career.

Check out the following links for examples of real hydrographers at work

http://www.abc.net.au/acedayjobs/cooljobs/profiles/s1759570.htm
http://www.fugrosurvey.co.uk/careers/ourpeople.asp
http://www.hydro.gov.au/aboutus/aboutus.htm
http://www.isaust.org.au/education/careerSnapshots/
http://www.smicnsw.org.au/career_options.htm
http://www.surveying.otago.ac.nz/categorya/careers.html

Photo Courtesy Newcastle Port Corporation: Pasha Bulker Survey

Study Options

Hydrography has two distinct levels of academic qualifications, technical and professional. Options available are University Degree courses or TAFE qualifications. Surveying is the main stream of study with a specialism in Hydrography this method of study also enables the variety of career on the land or water or even a mixture of both.

Note that Surveying is also known as Geomatic Engineering and related courses are sometimes titled Spatial Information.

Below are some links to get you started, a background as a marine scientist could also lead towards a career in hydrography, however only the Surveying links are provided below.

University Courses in Surveying

University of New South Wales
University of Newcastle
University of Southern Queensland
Queensland University of Technology
University of Melbourne
RMIT University
University of Tasmania
University of South Australia
Curtin University
University of Otago, New Zealand

TAFE Study Options

If you are considering studying at TAFE it is a good idea to go and speak to the Surveying related Department to discuss the level of study you wish to complete. If you are at all considering University studies then I would suggest aiming for the highest level of study at TAFE currently being the Advanced Diploma. Many universities provide credit for TAFE studies in order to articulate to University. Ask your University of choice if this is an option they provide, in some cases the credits can be quite substantial.

TAFE NSW
TAFE VIC (Currently unavailable - 09/09)
TAFE QLD
TAFE WA

Photo Courtesy Sydney Ports Corporation: Fort Denison Tide Gauge Survey

Hydrographic Certification – Level 1 or 2

The next step for many hydrographers after obtaining a tertiary qualification is to gain professional recognition of their specialised skills through hydrographic certification. In Australia and New Zealand certification is endorsed by the Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel (AHSCP) through the Spatial Sciences Institute.

Click here to go to the AHSCP Certification page

All surveyors are encouraged to gain Certification enabling industry to set a high level of standard for hydrographic surveyors. If any members have concerns about the system of certification or require assistance with how to get started please visit the Australasian Hydrographic Society Forum page: http://www.ahs.asn.au/phpBB3/ . Voice any concerns or questions regarding certification and current certified members will happily assist. In addition, specific concerns or queries can also be raised with the AHSCP Secretary, Mr Jasbir Randhawa on Tel: +61(02) 4223 6672.

Useful Links and Information

International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) website;
http://www.iho.shom.fr/PUBLICATIONS/IHO_Download.htm

Download the following documents:

• S-5 Standards of competence for hydrographic surveyors
• C-6 Reference texts for training in hydrographic surveying
• C-13 Manual on Hydrography
• C-47 Training Courses in Hydrography and Nautical Cartography
• S-44 IHO standards for hydrographic surveys

Geoscience Australia website; http://www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/

Provides background information for Geodetic datums including GDA, AUSGeoid and the Australian Height Datum (AHD). Downloads are available for all geodetic calculations and transformation of coordinates.

Intergovernmental Committee of Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) website; http://www.icsm.gov.au/icsm/publications/index.html

The following documents may be useful:

• Australian Tide Manual (SP9)
• Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA)
• Surveying standards and practices (SP1)
• Tide gauging stations

International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) website; http://www.fig.net/commission4/index.htm

Hydrography Commission 4 has useful publications on the website which can be downloaded and may assist those studying hydrography.

Association of Australian Ports and marine Authorities webpage; http://www.aapma.org.au/news/2005022801.pdf

Provides details on the principles for gathering and processing hydrographic information in Australian ports.

Maritime Safety Queensland website; http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Home/Waterways/Hydrographic_survey_standards/

Standards for carrying out hydrographic surveys in Queensland waters.

Category A and B Courses

Category A – Otago University, New Zealand http://www.otago.ac.nz/surveying/categorya/index.html

Contact Lecturer at Otago University is Peter Knight
Email: surveying@otago.ac.nz

Category B – Malaysia and Singapore http://www.fksg.utm.my/course_hydro.php

RAN Hydrographic School (Defence members only)

Further Information

Surveying and Mapping Industry Council NSW:
http://www.smicnsw.org.au/

Hydro International Magazine:
http://www.hydro-international.com/

International Federation of hydrographic Societies:
http://www.hydrographicsociety.org/

Institution of Surveyors NSW:
http://www.isansw.org.au/

Spatial Sciences Institute:
http://www.spatialsciences.org.au/