Hydrography

Introduction

The objective of hydrography is to collect and record about the world’s oceans and seas. Nautical charts for mariners, tidal predictions, changes in navigational areas: the data collected on the world’s oceans and seas have many applications that are indispensable to merchant marine, offshore, dredging, environmental and underwater projects. This specialized work is carried out by a hydrographic surveyor. He will not only be involved during preparatory activities but also during execution and follow up actions.

Hydrography in Belgium

The Hydrography B programme is the first of its kind in Belgium. The Institute for Hydrography (IVH), created within the Antwerp Maritime Academy facilitates its organisation. The collaboration between the Antwerp Maritime Academy and Ghent University results in a unique concentration of combined knowledge and experience.

The emphasis of the Hydrography B programme lies on a solid theoretical framework, complemented by practical and hands-on experience. For the integrated fieldwork and fieldwork-related aspects, the IVH relies on its partners from governmental organisations and the industry: the Agency of Maritime and Coastal Services (MDK), Flanders Hydraulics Research, DEME, Eurosense, GEO.xyz, G-tec, and Jan De Nul.

The Hydrography B programme has been accredited by the IBSC on behalf of its parent organizations (FIG/IHO/ICA) in 2013.

After successful completion of the Hydrography B postgraduate course, students will get a Basic Hydrographic Surveyor certificate from the HZS.