Why should I get certified?
All individuals holding current Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification obtained under Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) will maintain their recognition as Certified and will be included in the list of Certified Professional Hydrographic Surveyors maintained on the Geospatial Council of Australia website. SSSI branded certificates remain valid.
Specialist certification in hydrographic surveying is the official recognition that an individual possesses the necessary knowledge to perform hydrographic surveying tasks along with the demonstrated ability to apply that knowledge across various hydrographic disciplines.
The professional assessment and certification of hydrographic surveyors is conducted through the Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel (AHSCP), which is jointly sponsored by the Geospatial Council and Survey + Spatial New Zealand.
- Gain a mark of excellence – certification establishes a level of professional hydrographic competence that Government and industry not only demands but which is now expected.
- Achieve recognition from employers and enhance your career opportunities
- Attain an extra measure of credibility, respect and recognition within and outside the professional community.
- Enhance your professional standing and confidence by quantifying your hydrographic experience and demonstrating your commitment to professional development and continuous improvement. Being recognised as a certified hydrographic surveyor gives you a distinct competitive advantage
- As an employer, you can increase the confidence that your clients have in your company.
In the 1980’s, the hydrographic surveying industry, professional organisations and users of survey data, identified that they needed a regulated supply of competent hydrographic surveyors. In 1994 this was realised with the creation of the first accreditation panel. Through time this panel has matured into the Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel (AHSCP) and remains chaired by the Hydrographer of Australia. It is the first Internationally recognised certification scheme and the demand for certification as a requirement to conduct infrastructure projects is now high. Other countries such as Canada are following Australia’s model which is an indication of the continued recognised need to promote best practice hydrographic surveying.
Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel
The composition of the Panel and the Guidelines for the Certification of Hydrographic Surveyors under which it operates is formulated to meet the current requirements of FIG/IHO/ICA Publication S-5 Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors.
AHSCP members must be Level 1 certified hydrographic surveyors. They are elected from the list of current certified hydrographic surveyors. The incumbent Hydrographer of Australia chairs the Panel as an ex-officio member.
- Chair – Commodore Stewart Dunne, RAN
- Private Practice – Neil Hewitt
- Hydrography for Coastal Zone Management – Barry Smith
- Nautical Charting Hydrography – Ian Phillips
- Education – Dean Battilana
- Industrial Offshore Surveying – Katherine Butcher
The term of office for Panel members is two years. In order to maintain continuity, elections are held annually around the Aug / Sep period.
Odd year elections: Private Practice / Hydrography for Coastal Zone Management
Even year elections: Nautical Charting Hydrography / Education / Industrial Offshore Surveying