ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
DEFINITION of “HYDROGRAPHY”
• Hydrography is the branch of applied science which
deals with the measurement and description of the
physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes
and rivers, as well as the prediction of their change over
time, for the primary purpose of safety of navigation and
in support of all other marine activities, including
economic development, security and defense, scientific
research, and environmental protection. International
Hydrographic Organization – March 2008
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
Hydrography Relies on a Variety of Scientific and Engineering
Disciplines
Hydrography
Geodesy
Global Positioning
System
Acoustics
Photogrammetry
Dive operations
Oceanography
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
Cartography
Survey Planning
Tides
November 11, 2008
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS MAY BE CONDUCTED
TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES
• Nautical charting
• Port and harbor maintenance
(dredging)
• Coastal engineering (beach erosion
and replenishment studies)
• Coastal zone management
• Offshore resource development
• Benthic habitat mapping
The one data type common to all
hydrographic surveys is water depth.
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
CORRECTIONS TO ECHO SOUNDINGS
Dynamic Transducer
Draft Correction
Tide
Correction
Reference
Datum
Observed
Depth
Actual
Depth
Chart
Depth
Sound Velocity
Correction
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
Differential GPS
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM HISTORY
•
•
•
•
SEPTEMBER 1981 – ESTABLISHED BY ACSM (AMERICAN
CONGRESS ON SURVEYING AND MAPPING)
PURPOSE – RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNQUALIFIED
BIDDERS BEING AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR HYDROGRAPHIC
SURVEYS. ALSO TO PROMOTE HYDROGRAPHY PROFESSION
OCTOBER 1984 – FIRST CERTIFICATION – DIRECT METHOD BASED
ON TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED UNTIL 1992)
DECEMBER 1986 – CERTIFICATION VIA “WORK AT HOME” PROJECT
PLANNING EXERCISE (CONTINUED UNTIL 1997)
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM HISTORY (cont.)
•
•
•
SEPTEMBER 1997 – CERTIFICATION VIA PROCTORED EXAM
JANUARY 2001 – FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE HYDROGRAPHIC
SOCIETY OF AMERICA (THSOA)
FALL 2008 – SELF RECERTIFICATION PROGRAM APPROVED (FEE
WILL BE $30 FOR 3 YEARS)
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
PROGRAM DETAILS
• QUALIFICATIONS – 5 YEARS
EXPERIENCE (2 IN TECHNICAL CHARGE,
2 IN THE FIELD)
• FEES – APPLICATION ($50), EXAM FEE
($150)
• EXAM – 160 QUESTIONS, 70% REQUIRED
TO PASS
• BOARD MEMBERS – 8-12 (75%
CERTIFIED)
• MEETINGS – 2 PER YEAR (ONE
TELECONFERENCE)
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
PROGRAM DETAILS (cont.)
• GOVERNING DOCUMENTS –
CHARTER, PROCEDURES
• BUDGET – PART TIME STAFF,
PRINTING/MAIL, MEETING TRAVEL
ASSISTANCE
• THSOA ANNUAL $5000 CONTRIBUTION
• NET AVERAGE SURPLUS (2001-07) $1040
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
STATISTICS
•
•
•
•
210 INDIVIDUALS CERTIFIED SINCE 1984
LESS THAN HALF CURRENTLY ACTIVE
2001 – 2007 – AVERAGE 8.5 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ANNUALLY
2001 - 2007 – AVERAGE 7 APPROVED TO TAKE EXAM ANNUALLY
•
2001 – 2007 – AVERAGE 4 PASSED EXAM ANNUALLY
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
• INTERNATIONALLY APPROVED LIST OF TRAINING/
EDUCATION PROGRAMS (28 TOTAL)
University of New Hampshire
University of Southern Mississippi
• GRADUATES/ATTENDEES ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTION
OF PART OR ALL OF EXAM
• SHORT COURSE CREDIT FOR EXEMPTION OF
CORRESPONDING EXAM SUBJECT AREA – PURPOSE
IS TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUATION IN THE
PROFESSION, PARTICULARLY WITH NOAA, VIA
INCREMENTAL PROGRESS TOWARD CERTIFICATION
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
POSITIVE ASPECTS
• PROVIDES MINIMUM STANDARD BY WHICH
COMPANIES CONTRACTING WITH THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FOR HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES
CAN BE EVALUATED
• PROVIDES OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF AN
INDIVIDUAL’S MINIMUM LEVEL OF COMPETENCY
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
NEGATIVE ASPECTS
• DIFFICULTY IN ENGAGING PROFESSIONALS IN
HYDROGRAPHY (WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?)
• BY LAW – CERTIFICATION CAN NOT BE A
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT ON FEDERAL
CONTRACTS
• TIME CONSUMING FOR BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF
– PROCESSING APPLICATIONS/EXAMS/APPEALS,
MAINTAINING UP-TO-DATE EXAM QUESTION
DATABANK
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
CONSIDERATIONS
• CLEARLY DETERMINE PURPOSE/NEED OF THE
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
• ENSURE TARGETED COMMUNITY AGREES WITH
THAT PURPOSE/NEED
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008
THE END – QUESTIONS?
Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
November 11, 2008