BALDOVI, LOKI BALDER, G.

GENG 9 - HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING

BSGE 2A
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING
MODULE 2 – PRINCIPLES OF HYDROGRAPHY

1. SURVEY SPECIFICATIONS
- describes the tasks and responsibilities with regard to conducting
hydrographic surveys standardized by National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration – NOAA.
a. Hydrographer
:: The term “hydrographer” as used through this document, refers to:
(a) the chief of party or officer in charge, when the survey is being conducted by
NOAA field units, or
(b) the contractor where the work is being performed for NOAA under 4
contracts.

b. Navigable Area Survey

:: All modern NOAA hydrographic surveys are Navigable Area Surveys,
unless explicitly stated otherwise in the Hydrographic Survey Project
Instructions. Navigable Area Surveys are basic hydrographic surveys with a
restricted inshore limit of coverage
:: National Geodesic Survey Remote Sensing Division (NGS-RSD) is
responsible for acquisition and compilation of shoreline data, which it
provides directly to Marine Chart Division (MCD) for nautical chart

updates.
c. Navigable Area Limit Line
:: The surveyed 4-meter depth contour.
:: The line defined by the distance seaward from the observed Mean High
Water (MHW) line which is equivalent to 0.8 millimeters at the scale of the
largest scale nautical chart covering 7 any portion of the survey area
:: The inshore limit of safe navigation for the survey vessel, as determined
by the Chief-of-Party in consultation with his or her field personnel.

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:: If kelp, rocks, breakers, or other hazards make it unsafe to approach the
coast to the limits, the NALL shall be defined as the shoreward boundary of
the area in which it is safe to survey.

d. Environmental Compliance
:: All NOAA Field Units shall provide a list of all trained marine mammal
observers who are required to view the Marine Species Awareness Training
video provided by HSD/NSD Project Manager.
e. Danger to Navigation
:: Potential dangers shall be evaluated in the context of the largest scale
nautical chart of the area and with detailed knowledge of vessel traffic in the
area including usual and seasonal routes.

f. Time
:: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) will be used for all time records.
g. Horizontal Datum
i. :: All horizontal positions shall be referenced to the North American
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) 2011 realization 2010 (NAD83(2011)2010.0).
ii. :: When using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection the
hemisphere and zone definition most appropriate to the data coverage shall
be used.

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h. Vertical Datum
i. :: A consistent horizontal datum must be used throughout a survey project
for everything that has a geographic position or for which a position is to
be determined. (Overall, it will be transformed into a WGS Datum)
ii. :: With some limited exceptions, sounding data shall be referenced to
Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). Heights of bridges and overhead
cables shall be referenced to Mean High Water (MHW)
iii. :: To achieve vertical referencing:
(1) horizontal control plus vertical measurements relative to the “static”
sea surface.
(2) ellipsoid referenced survey three-dimensional control.

Maximum Allowable Errors in Hydrographic Surveys

Type of Survey Class 3 Class 2 Class 1

Vertical Accuracy 500 mm 300 mm 150 mm
Horizontal 100 mm 12 mm 6 mm
Positioning
Class 1-Reconaissance
Class 2-Project Condition and Design
Class 3-Contract Payment

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2. HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING PROCESSES
- When locating soundings boat party will depend upon the survey personnel
will form the boat party.
a. Chief of Party
:: the person who directs all survey operations the party. He is responsible
for the accurate gathering of the requires survey data which will be needed
in the preparation and compilation the hydrographic chart. In addition, he is
also responsible for the and care of the boat personnel, and equipment used
in the survey.
b. Instrument man
:: the person who is responsible for setting up the different instruments to be
used in the hydrographic survey. He directly supervises the work of the
recorder, and assists the chief of party overseeing the sounding operation.
When a sextant is used in the boat, he normally measures the right-hand
angle. He may also serve as a of safety if the boat party is small.
c. Recorder
:: the person whose task is to record all the survey data gathered. He
tabulates measured values legibly in a prescribed format, During actual
sounding operations, he repeats clearly ail angles measured, depth of
measurements, colors of flags used, times, and all other miscellaneous data
which are called out to him.
d. Leadsman
:: handles the lead line or the sounding rod. He stands in the bow of the boat
where he casts the lead line used in the measurement of depths. He calls off
the measured depth to the recorder. In addition, he also serves as a lookout.
e. Coxswain
:: the person who is responsible for steering the boat on selected compass
bearings or ranges. When an outboard motor is used, he operates the
machine and sees to it that the right cruising speed it attained. He must be
alert for instructions from the party chief to change course after a position
has been fixed or when the soundings on a given range have been completed
f. Lookout
:: In waters where there are expected dangers to navigation, a lookout is
employed. He is stationed at the most suitable elevated position in the boat,
and keeps watch over the surrounding water for shoals, reefs, floating
objects and other hazards which may cause à possible danger to the survey
vessel and crew. He should immediately report all possible hazards so that
proper actions can be taken to assure the safety of the boat party.
g. Signalman
:: the person who alerts the shore party that sounding is about to begin. He
usually is equipped with a set of colored flags which he raises and waves,
and for better communication and work synchronization he may also use a
two-way radio. The signalman varies the color of signal flags used on each
range or location for better coordination between the boat and shore parties
with respect to the recording observed sounding data.

h. Fathometer Attendant
:: In deep water surveys where a fathometer is employed, the attendant
focuses full attention on this instrument. It is important that the depth of the
water is continuously observed, and that shoals, reefs and other underwater
objects do not go unnoticed. He must be trained and experienced in the use
and maintenance of the instrument.

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3. Equipment Used for Hydrographic Surveying

- The primary objectives of hydrographic survey equipment are
the measurement of tides for sea coast with its scope of application in the
construction of sea defense works and harbors.
a. Sounding Craft
:: includes rowboats, motor launches and small vessels

b. Sounding Pole
:: a graduated and rounded piece of lumber, about 3 meters long, used for
taking soundings. (depth of water not to exceed 2.5 meters).

c. Lead line
:: a length of sash or hemp card, braided flax or nylon cord, with a sounding
lead attached to one end.

d. Sounding Machine
:: a simple device in which piano or stranded wire is used and wound on a
reel mounted.

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e. Fathometer
:: a measuring device which automatically records sounding taken into a
moving vessel.

f. Signals
:: constructed in a variety of ways but they should be seen and easily
distinguished from each other.

g. Tide Gage
:: instrument for measuring the height of the tide.

h. Sextant
:: a portable and hand-held instrument used for measuring horizontal and
vertical angles.

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4. Data Output
- Data can also be used for the establishment of leveling dams for reducing
sounding, and for the determination of bed depth.
a. Nautical Charts
:: Essential Maps for Safe Navigation.

b. Hydrographic Models
:: Baseline data for research and marine geospatial products and services.

c. Stream Velocity Measurement

:: To measure the stream flow or discharge for the volume of water that
moves over a designated point over a fixed period of time. It is useful for the
construction of dams, bridges, slope protection, etc.