ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW · Ocean Science, Technology & Operations...

November 11, 2008Ocean Science, Technology & Operations Workforce Workshop – Monterey, California

ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW


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


Hydrography Geodesy Photogrammetry

Dive operations

Cartography

Oceanography

Survey Planning

Tides

AcousticsGlobal Positioning

System

Hydrography Relies on a Variety of Scientific and Engineering

Disciplines


• 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


Dynamic Transducer

Draft Correction

Observed

Depth

Sound Velocity

Correction

Reference

Datum

Actual

Depth

Tide

Correction

Chart

Depth

CORRECTIONS TO ECHO SOUNDINGS


Differential GPS



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)



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)


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)


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


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


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


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


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


NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

CONSIDERATIONS

• CLEARLY DETERMINE PURPOSE/NEED OF THE

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

• ENSURE TARGETED COMMUNITY AGREES WITH

THAT PURPOSE/NEED


THE END – QUESTIONS?

ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW · Ocean Science, Technology & Operations...

Documents

Transcript of ACSM/THSOA HYDROGRAPHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW · Ocean Science, Technology & Operations...