November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
Hydrography Geodesy Photogrammetry
Dive operations
Cartography
Oceanography
Survey Planning
Tides
AcousticsGlobal Positioning
System
Hydrography Relies on a Variety of Scientific and Engineering
Disciplines
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
• 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.
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS MAY BE CONDUCTED
TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
Dynamic Transducer
Draft Correction
Observed
Depth
Sound Velocity
Correction
Reference
Datum
Actual
Depth
Tide
Correction
Chart
Depth
CORRECTIONS TO ECHO SOUNDINGS
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
Differential GPS
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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)
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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)
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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)
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
• INTERNATIONALLY APPROVED LIST OF TRAINING/
EDUCATION PROGRAMS (28 TOTAL)
• 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
University of New Hampshire
University of Southern Mississippi
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
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
November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California
NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
CONSIDERATIONS
• CLEARLY DETERMINE PURPOSE/NEED OF THE
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
• ENSURE TARGETED COMMUNITY AGREES WITH
THAT PURPOSE/NEED