Hydrography
HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES
Across Australia, New Zealand and PNG, the science of Hydrography is potentially more important today than it has been for the past 500 years. While the challenges for navigation remain as relevant today, an ever increasing need to seek economic benefit from our oceans is closely coupled with our determination to maintain a healthy, sustainable marine environment.
The requirement to accurately measure the effects of climate change in our oceans has never been more important. It is the role of hydrographic surveyors to acquire comprehensive, accurate information in an agile and efficient manner to enable the best possible decision to be made.
A SURVEYORS WORK
The Admiralty Manual of Hydrographic Surveying says...
“The work of a Hydrographic Surveyor includes many branches of science. No two surveys are precisely similar in character and new problems to test the surveyor’s skill and ingenuity are constantly presented. The work is of an arduous and often trying nature, but unlike many other occupations in life, it results in a tangible and permanent record of the surveyors labours and is often subsequently of historical interest…
Moreover, the information he gathers is essential for the furtherance of scientific knowledge of the world in which we live. Second only to managing a survey team, the principle qualifications of a hydrographic surveyor are an unlimited capacity for taking pains and conscientious devotion to the accuracy of detail in his work, coupled with a methodical and orderly mind”.
A CHANGING WORLD
The prior words were first published in 1948. Some of the language no longer passes as acceptable in a world where female surveyors are easily the equal of males. The underlying characteristics and skills of a surveyor described above remain true to this day. The team at Guardian is an equal opportunity employer who seek these traits in our teams to ensure all surveys are undertaken with diligence, accuracy and efficiency at all times.
Guardian recognise the importance of providing world-class hydrographic survey services. Our team has the qualification, experience, tools, processes and vessels to complete your surveys to the highest order.
Multibeam Echo Sounders
The development of Multibeam Echo Sounding hardware in the 1990’s was a paradigm shift in Hydrography. Unlike a single beam echo sounder, a multibeam has the ability to observe a fan-like swath beneath the vessel. This permits a full seafloor search for hazards to shipping, and a full understanding of the seafloor topography which is an essential part of habitat mapping.
Today multibeam is the go-to tool, and is an essential part of any hydrographers daily work.
An experienced hydrographer can rapidly assess a multibeam survey to ensure systematic errors are minimised, an efficient line spacing and speed are employed, and the overall survey is being undertaken to specification.
Caris Waterfall
THE IMPORTANCE OF HYDROGRAPHY
Consider the IHO definition of Hydrography: That branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and description of the features of the seas and coastal areas for the primary purpose of navigation and all other marine purposes and activities, including –inter alia offshore activities, research, protection of the environment, and prediction services (IHO Pub. S-32).
A perspective from the National Marine Science Committee…
"By 2025, Australia’s marine industries will contribute around $100 billion each year to our economy, with our oceans and coasts providing a further $25 billion worth of ecosystem services, such as carbon dioxide absorption, nutrient cycling and coastal protection.
This marine economy is projected to grow three times faster than Australia’s gross domestic product over the next decade, more than doubling its 2012 contribution of $47.2 billion".
VERTICAL DATUM
A fundamental decision in any survey is the definition of the sounding datum. This dictates how the data is reduced, and to what reference level. Traditional reduction of a survey to a chart datum uses a waterline-based algorithm of:
Depth = observation + tide + heave + draft + squat
The quality of GNSS height has slowly improved to a similar standard as the horizontal component. This has permitted the reliable reduction of a survey to an ellipsoidal datum (typically WGS84) which permits multiple surveys to be seamlessly integrated with ease and confidence.
Depth = observation + heave + ellipsoidal height – ellipsoidal separation
Tidal Levels and Datums