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I imagine the skills will be different depending on where you plan to work. For example, areas near or surrounded by water would require a hydrographic surveyor assistant to have knowledge and skills which would not be as important as an inland surveyor..
Like all technicians who work in the marine environment, hydrographic survey technicians must possess a wide range of knowledge and skills for this growing field. Hydrographic surveying is important in a variety of marine activities such as mineral resource management including oil and gas, fishery management, submarine cable routes, marine archeology, search and recovery efforts, and safe navigation.Hydrographic survey technicians work long hours – sometimes in stressful situations. We actually have a group on Land Surveyors United for Hydrographic Surveyors that you might consider joining and asking specific questions as they arise.
They must learn to use a variety of tools and equipment, ranging from sonar systems to computers and peripherals, GPS, sampling equipment, and deck equipment. Individuals who do the same general job functions may have a range of quite different titles. These may include survey technician, surveyor, survey party chief, physical scientist technician, geophysical operator, sonar supervisor, or field engineering aide.
The wide scope of educational courses desired or required reflect the depth of knowledge
and skills expected of this position. These courses include oceanography, physics,
computer skills, navigation, marine mechanics, geophysical surveying (including
echosounders, sub-bottom profiling, etc.), and underwater acoustics.
The work of a hydrographic survey technician can be broken down into four main job
functions: conducting pre-cruise logistics and survey planning, conducting field
operations, managing data, and maintaining equipment. Within each of these categories
there are a series of varied tasks that must be performed. For example, conducting field
operations involves everything from troubleshooting field equipment to deploying
equipment to maintaining field logs. In another example, managing data involves
formatting and organizing data as well as contributing to cruise reports.
Personal characteristics of a hydrographic survey technician
Knowledge and Skill Guidelines and the following personal characteristics described a good hydrographic survey technician in a study I have attached as a document:
• Tolerant of seasickness
• Able/willing to be away from home for extended periods of time
• Willing to live in Spartan living conditions
• Skilled at interpersonal relationships
• Willing to work long hours
• Flexible
Hope this helps!