INTRODUCTORY

HYDROGRAPHIC
SURVEYING
GLS 250
First Topic
Introduction to Bathymetry Surveying (08 hrs)
•Hydrographic survey in coastal waters
•Definition of hydrographic survey
•Nautical chart
•Specification and planning

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• Understand the definition of Hydrography
• State the definition of Hydrographic Surveying in coastal waters
• Identify the roles and the functions of Nautical Chart, Notice to Mariners,
Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) and Electronic Chart Display and
Information System (ECDIS).
• Describe differences between a Nautical Chart and Map.
• Explain necessary planning of the hydrographic surveying work base
on scope and specification of work.
What is Hydrography…?
HYDRO/GRAPHY
• Hydro
– Water

• Graphy
– Greek
– “to write”
Hydrographic Survey ???
Definition of Hydrography
The current definition of Hydrography contained in the Hydrographic
Dictionary states that:

Hydrography is that branch of applied sciences which

deals with the measurement and description of the
features of the sea 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 marine environment and
prediction services.

http://www.iho.int/mtg_docs/com_wg/ISPWG/ISPWG1/ispwg01-04Adefinition.pdf
 Definition of Hydrography
Definition of Hydrography according to *IHO Strategic Plan Working
Group (ISPWG)

Hydrography is the branch of applied sciences which

deals with the measurement and description of the
physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes
and rivers, as well as with 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 defence, scientific
research, and environmental protection.

* The International Hydrographic Organization is an intergovernmental consultative and technical

organization that was established in 1921 to support safety of navigation and the protection of the
marine environment.

http://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=299&Itemid=289
 Definition of Hydrography
From Wikipedia,

 Hydrography is the measurement of the depths, the tides and

currents of a body of water and establishment of the sea, river
or lake bed topography and morphology.

 Normally and historically for the purpose of charting a body of

water for the safe navigation of shipping.

 It includes the positioning and identification of things such as

wrecks, reefs, structures (platforms etc), navigational lights,
marks and buoys and coastline characteristics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrography
Definition of Hydrography

 Hydrography focuses on the measurement of physical

characteristics of waters and marginal land.

 Hydrography generally refers to the measurement and description

of any waters, and specifically refers to those measurements and
descriptions of navigable waters necessary for safe navigation of
vessels.

http://wiki.gis.com/wiki/index.php/Hydrography
Definition of Hydrography

 The measurement and description of the physical features

and conditions of navigable waters and adjoining coastal
areas, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.

 It involves geodesy, physical oceanography, marine

geology, geophysics, photogrammetry (in coastal areas),
remote sensing, and marine cartography.

 Basic parameters observed during a hydrographic survey

are time, geographic position, depth of water, and bottom
type.

 However, observation, analysis, and prediction of tides and

currents area are also normally included in order to reduce
depth measurements to a common vertical datum

http://www.answers.com/topic/hydrography
Hydrographic survey

From Wikipedia,

 Hydrographic survey is the science of measurement

and description of features which affect maritime
navigation, marine construction, dredging, offshore oil
exploration/drilling and related disciplines.

 Strong emphasis is placed on soundings, shorelines,

tides, currents, sea floor and submerged obstructions
that relate to the previously mentioned activities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrographic_survey
Hydrographic Survey
Hydrographic Survey

 A Hydrographic Survey is the 'mapping' of an area of

sea and surrounding coastal detail.

 The information from a survey enables a cartographer to

portray a part of the Earth's surface on a flat piece of
paper and indicate by soundings, height and depth
contours and spot heights, the various irregularities both
above and below the sea surface.

http://www.hydro.gov.au/aboutus/what.htm
Hydrographic Survey

 Hydrographical measurements will include the tidal, current and wave

information of physical oceanography.

 They will include bottom measurements, with particular emphasis on

those marine geographical features that pose a hazard to navigation
such as rocks, shoals, reefs and other features that obstruct ship
passage.

 Bottom measurements also include collection of the nature of the

bottom as it pertains to effective anchoring.

 Unlike oceanography, hydrography will include shore features, natural

and manmade, that aid in navigation.

 A hydrographic survey will therefore include accurate positions and

representations of hills, mountains and even lights and towers that will
aid in fixing a ship's position as well as the aspects of the sea and
seabed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrography
Hydrographic Survey
Objective of Hydrography

A principal objective of hydrography is to provide for safe

navigation and protection of the marine environment
through the production of up-to-date nautical charts and
related publications.

In addition, hydrographic data are essential to a multitude

of other activities such as global studies, for example,
shoreline erosion and sediment transport studies; coastal
construction; delimitation of maritime boundaries;
environmental protection and pollution control; exploration
and exploitation of marine resources, both living and
nonliving; and development of marine geographic
information systems (GIS).

http://www.answers.com/topic/hydrography
A Typical Single-beam Echo Sounding Plan
Bathymetric Map
Bathymetric Map
Bathymetric Map
The Activities of Hydrographic Survey

A hydrographic survey 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,
 and offshore resource development.
 Measurement of tides at sea coast for tidal analysis and predictions
 Determination of direction of current
dredging
The Nautical Chart

The Nautical Chart is one of the most fundamental tools available to

the mariner. Charts are available in various formats.
A Nautical Chart is a graphic portrayal of the marine environment
showing the nature and form of the coast, the general configuration of
the sea bottom including water depths, locations of dangers to
navigation, locations and characteristics of man-made aids to
navigation and other features useful to the mariner.
The Nautical Chart is essential for safe navigation. In conjunction with
supplemental navigational aids, it is used by the mariner to lay out
courses and navigate ships by the shortest and most economically
safe route.

https://www1.nga.mil/ProductsServices/NauticalHydrographicBathymetricProduct/Pages/NauticalCharts.aspx
The Nautical Chart
From Wikipedia

 A nautical chart is a graphic representation of a maritime area and adjacent

coastal regions.

 Depending on the scale of the chart, it may show depths of water and heights of
land (topographic map), natural features of the seabed, details of the coastline,
navigational hazards, locations of natural and man-made aids to navigation,
information on tides and currents, local details of the Earth's magnetic field, and
man-made structures such as harbours, buildings, and bridges.

 Nautical charts are essential tools for marine navigation; many countries require
vessels, especially commercial ships, to carry them.

 Nautical charting may take the form of charts printed on paper or computerised
electronic navigational charts.

 Recent technologies have made available paper charts which are printed "on
demand" with cartographic data that has been downloaded to the commercial
printing company as recently as the night before printing.

 With each daily download, critical data such as Local Notice to Mariners is added
to the on-demand chart files so that these charts will be 100% up to date at the
time of printing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_chart
Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)

 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are official electronic vector

charts produced in compliance with the S-57 format of the
International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

 Is an official database created by a national hydrographic office for

use with an Electronic Chart Display and Information System
(ECDIS).

 An electronic chart must conform to standards stated in the

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Special Publication
S-57 before it can be certified as an ENC.

 Only ENCs can be used within ECDIS to meet the International

Maritime Organisation (IMO) performance standard for ECDIS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_navigational_chart
Electronic Chart Display and Information System
(ECDIS)

 Is a computer-based navigation information system that

complies with International Maritime Organization (IMO)
regulations and can be used as an alternative to paper
nautical charts.

 IMO refers to similar systems not meeting the regulations as

Electronic Chart Systems (ECS).

 An ECDIS system displays the information from electronic

navigational charts (ENC) and integrates position
information from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and
other navigational sensors, such as radar and automatic
identification systems (AIS).

 It may also display additional navigation-related information,

such as Sailing Directions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Chart_Display_and_Information_System
ECDIS
Function of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System)

Information other Elements of chart Characteristics of

than paper charts display digital information
• plots of ship positions • adjustable displaying • selectable of display
• warning to dangers brightness to the bridge contents
• superimposing with Radar environment • enlargement/reduction
and other images, etc. • auto scrolling of chart of display contents
area on the course • storing up and re-
• auto loading of accessing to log books,
necessary charts, etc. etc

http://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/KOKAI/ENC/English/about_enc.html
ECDIS
ECDIS
Notice to Mariners

 A notice to mariners is weekly notices

concerning changes in navigation matters that are
used by mariners to keep their charts updated
regularly; NTM for short

 Advises mariners of important matters affecting

navigational safety, including new hydrographic
information, changes in channels and aids to
navigation, and other important data.

 Over 60 countries which produce nautical charts

also produce a notice to mariners. About one third
of these are weekly, another third are bi-monthly
or monthly, and the rest irregularly issued
according to need. For example, the United
Kingdom Hydrographic Office issues weekly
updates.
Differences between a Nautical Chart and
Map? NAUTIC AL CHART MAP
A nautical chart provides a very A map, on the other hand,
detailed and accurate emphasizes land forms, with
representation of the coastline, shoreline represented much
which takes into account varying
less accurately.
tidal levels and water forms,
critical to a navigator.

Maps just indicate a surface path

Nautical Charts provide detailed providing no information of the
information on the area beneath condition of the surface path for
the water surface, normally not example maps provide no
visible to the naked eye, which information of the condition of a
can and is very critical for the road.
safe and efficient navigation

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/learn_diff_map_chart.html
Differences between a Nautical Chart and
Map? NAUTIC AL CHART MAP
A nautical chart is a working A map on the other hand is a
document. It is used to plot courses static document which serves as
for navigators to follow in order to
transit a certain area It takes into a reference guide. A map is not,
account special conditions and can not be used to plot a
required for one's vessel, such as course. Rather it provides a
draft, bottom clearance, wrecks predetermined course, usually a
and obstructions which can be
hazardous. road, path, etc., to be followed.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/learn_diff_map_chart.html
EXAMPLE OF NAUTICAL CHART
EXAMPLE OF NAUTICAL CHART
EXAMPLE OF NAUTICAL CHART
Bathymetric Map
Activities of Hydrographic Survey
The Importance of Hydrography according to IHO
In addition to supporting safe and efficiient navigation of ships,
hydrography underpins almost every other activity associated with
the sea, including:

 resource exploitation - fishing, minerals etc

 environmental protection and management
 maritime boundary delimitation
 national marine spatial data infrastructures
 recreational boating
 maritime defence and security
 tsunami flood and inundation modelling
 coastal zone management
 tourism
 marine science

http://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=302&Itemid=290
What are the Marine information..?

• Seabed Geology
Used of seismic equipment..eg- boomer/parker with hydrophone..
• Seabed sediment /Sampling
Used of equipment such as…grab, vibro corer etc.
• Depth
Used of Echosounder – single beam or multibeam
• Seabed topography/information
Used of Side scan Sonar and etc.
• Physical Oceanography
Temperature, current, tides, salinity etc.
• Gravity and earth’s magnetic field
To produce magnetic chart – magnetic distribution, gravimetric and
geomagnetic data
• What are
Can be divided into the aspect
3 main of hydrography?
aspects:-
• Coastal
• Most of the jobs at coastal area are related to the construction of
port/harbors, other engineering structures, coastal erosion, port and
harbor maintenance – maintenance dredging along the port channels
(safety navigation)
• Offshore
• Data collections for coastal zone.
• Offshore exploration – hydrocarbon (oil & gas)
• Data collections for fisheries industry
• Oceanic
• Data collections for seabed mapping – continental shelf survey

• Hydrographic survey data collections is a very systematic process and very

costly.
• The final output is in nautical chart, hydrographic plan.
Offshore exploration – oil & gas
 List of Hydrographic Society

• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)

• Federation International Des Geometres (FIG)
• The Hydrographic Society
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• The International of Lighthouse Authorities
The Scope of Work in Hydrographic Survey

• Data Collections
• Geophysics, bathymetry, current, tides, seabed sampling, positioning.
• Data Processing
• All data have to process before a pictorial representation of the seabed
relief can be obtain
• Data Presentation
• Nautical Chart, hydrographic plan, bathymetric plan
• Data Updating
• As Nautical Chart is very essential, so it must be up to date.
• Any changes after the chart has been produced, have to be added on the
chart.
• ‘Notices to mariners’ is a weekly publication to inform the mariners about
any changes to nautical chart. Eg; construction, aid to navigations
IHO Standard for Hydrographic Survey
Minimum Standard for Hydrographic Survey
Minimum Standard for Navigation
The Used of Hydrographic Data

• Mostly it is used by the mariners.

• However can be divided into 3 main cores:-
• Sea Navigation
• Coastal Zone Management
• Oil and Gas Exploration
 Categories of Hydrographer

• According to THE THIRD UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE

LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOSS III), FIG/IHO has design a standard
curriculum called Standards of Competence for Hydrographic
Surveyors
• There are 2 categories of Hydrographer:-
• Category A
• Category B
 Malaysia Agency Related to Hydrography
• Pusat Hidrografi Negara (TLDM)
• Jabatan Laut Malaysia
• Port Authority
• Petronas
• JPS
 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING PRACTICE
1. Planning of the hydrographic surveying work are base on:
 Scope of work.
 Specification of work.

Scope of work
• Hydrographic Survey

• Topographic Survey

• Current recording

• Water level (tidal) measurement, analysis and

prediction

• Samplings
SPECIFICATIONS

 Planimetric Control

 Height Control

 Datum Used and Relationship

 Accuracy for Horizontal Positioning

and in Elevations (Heighting)

 Water Level (Tidal) Observation

 Check Lines
Based on Scope and Specification of work we can plan:

 List of equipments
 List of personal
 When to mob and demob
 Duration to complete the work

Duration to complete the work can calculate or estimate from:

 Size of survey area

 Direction of sounding line
 Number of sounding line
 Total distance of sounding line
 Number of cross/check line
 Total distance of cross/check line
 Total distance sounding and cross/check line
 Speed of survey boat (4 – 7 nautical mile)

1 nautical mile = 1.852 km/h

Duration to complete the work

Hydrographic Survey of small

scale area 6,000m x 2,000m at
500m spacing with 1300m
checkline as shown in diagram.
 Number of sounding line = (2,000/20) + 1
= 101 lines

 Total distance of sounding line = 101 x 6km

=606km

 Number of cross/check line = (6000/200) + 1

= 31 lines

 Total distance of cross/check line = 31 x 2km

= 62km

 Total distance sounding and cross/check line = 606km + 62 km

= 668km
2. Final scale of drawing should be used to confirmed
(if not stated)
 Line interval (10 mm on the drawing)
 Fix interval (5-7 mm on the drawing)

3. Collect all relevant information of the survey area

 List of BMs
 List of CPs
 Topo map of the area
 Any record on CD or TBM or control point
 Previous survey record, data or plan
 Site visit to identify
 general condition of survey area.
 the best location for tide gauge installation
 Horizontal control point monuments
 Vertical control -nearest BM or CD control point
 any jetty in vicinity
 any boat for rental
4. Horizontal control point
 Method to be used
 GPS static mode
 DGPS
 traversing
 Acceptable accuracy
 Existing boundary mark/control point
 Number of control point to establish
 Equipment – based on method used
 Coordinates transformation program
5. Vertical control point
 Selection of control point
 Reference BM or TBM
 Tide gauge or tide pole location
 Acceptable accuracy
 Leveling method
 Equipment
6. Tide gauge installation
The best location of tide gauge installation
Tide gauge types
Method of installation
Personnel
Observation interval 10 – 15 min
Duration
7. Survey boat
Boat size/acceptable size
Owner and contact number
Rental rates
Helmsman
Installation of equipment
Permit
Safety gears
8. Positioning
Method of positioning
• DGPS
• EPF
• Acoustic
• Optical
Accuracy (+/- 2 meters)
List of equipments – based on method of positioning
List of transformation parameters
Final working coordinate system
 WGS 84
 UTM
 MRSO
 BRSO
 Cassini
9. Depth measurement
Use echo sounder
Bar check calibration
Installation gears/accessories- cable, echo trace, bar
check plate
The frequency of the transducer
 High Frequency
 Low Frequency
 Dual Frequency
10. Sounding
Generate sounding line (SOL and EOL coordinates)
Generate crosslines (SOL and EOL coordinates)
Offline within 20% - 30% of the line interval
Line and fix interval
Speed of survey boat (4 – 7 knot)
The Principles of SOUNDING
These slides describe the general requirements and basic methods
that can be employed for manual in sounding operations.

PLANNING LINES OF SOUNDING

Sounding is the primary method by which the topography of the
seabed is determined.
It involves running along pre-determined tracks (sounding line) using
an echo sounder to continuously measure depth.
Position fixes (fix interval) are taken at regular intervals.
Subsequently, the depths obtained from the echo sounder can be
related to the track followed and a measured depth superimposed
upon it.
Before commencing depth sounding operations, hydrographers must
decide on a plan. This plan must satisfy two basic requirements:

 It must provide for the delineation of the topography of the seabed in

the most economical and expedient manner.
 When it has been completed it must ensure that there is very little
possibility that dangers to navigation will have been overlooked.
 SCALE OF SURVEY

In general the scale on which the survey is conducted is dictated by

a combination of the nature of the bottom, the general depth, and the
complexity of the area.

LINE SPACING / INTERVAL

Planned lines of sounding must cover the seabed in a precise

manner.
They should therefore be straight or nearly straight and evenly
spaced.
The accepted spacing interval in the RAN for lines of sounding is
5mm on paper. The internationally accepted minimum is 10mm.
DIRECTION OF LINES

The direction of sounding lines should aim to satisfy the following

criteria. Lines should be run:
 at right angles to contours, and
 at right angles to coastlines.
However these may conflict with:
 the best direction for Side Scan Sonar,
 other sounding requirements, and
 navigational safety.
The above are guidelines, not rigid rules. It may be necessary to
compromise over conflicting requirements, for example, running lines
parallel to contours for boat's safety.
FIXING INTERVAL

Generally the fixing interval should be as short as possible and the

boat's speed as fast as possible, so long as it does not exceed the limits
of carefulness.
Manually plotted fixes should be spaced between 10-25mm apart on the
fix plot.
Crosslines
 Crosslines are lines of soundings run at an angle (generally about 90°) to
the normal lines in a sounding plan at intervals of 20 times the line spacing
of the main line soundings.
 They should normally be run first.
 Crosslines are run for the following reasons:
• to provide a check against work which has already
been carried out
• to delineate a contour line accurately, where for
some reason the normal lines fail to do this

11. DGPS integrity check

Establishment of point for positioning check
Near survey area
Carry out before start of work
12. Datum for sounding
Selection of datum – based on specifications of the job.
Datum transfer
Tidal observation
Relationship between LSD, MSL and Chart Datum

13. Navigation software

Selection of navigation software
Geodetic parameter
Cables
Port set up
System configuration
Accessories
Manuals
14. Other surveys

Topographic Survey

Current recording

Water level (tidal) measurement,

analysis and prediction

Samplings
15. Logistic
Accommodation and foods
Charging the batteries
Safety of the equipment/store
Transportations
Crew change
Communication device (hand phone, walkie-talkie)
Permit and documents
Safety gears
16. Processing
Reduced sounding
Bathymetric plan
Title block
Report
Location of current meters and water level measurements.
Location of samplings.