Behind every graduate is a unique journey. This week, in celebration of World Hydrography Day (21 June), we’re proud to share the stories of our alumni. From the first spark of interest to unexpected moments at sea, our alumni share what hydrography means to them.
Hydrographic Surveyor
What first drew you to the field of hydrography?
After graduating from the Geodesy and Photogrammetry Engineering program, I was introduced to hydrography during my first job as a survey engineer on the İzmit Bay Crossing Bridge Project (currently known as the Osman Gazi Bridge) in 2013. The project included both onshore and offshore phases such as dredging of the tower foundations, dredging of the approach channel for the caissons, inclusion pile driving for the tower foundations, gravel bedding and levelling, immersion operations of the caissons, as well as terrestrial land survey operations. I was fascinated by the role of hydrographic surveys in offshore operations and decided to pursue a career in this field during this project. That’s when I first came across the Skilltrade Category B training program in 2016, which I eventually attended.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve encountered at sea (or underwater)?
The most unexpected thing I have encountered was to saw couple pink belly dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) during a survey in 25 km upstream in the Suriname river. Marine mammals always draw my attention the most and I wasn’t aware of the amazon river dolphins.
How do you apply what you learned during the training in your current role?
During the training, we learned the fundamental concepts of hydrography, which I now apply in my current work. For example, I use my knowledge of underwater acoustics to adjust the echo sounder settings and capture as much detail from the seabed as possible. I also apply fault-finding skills when problems occur with the survey system or sensor connections. When setting up a new radar for a tide station, I used this knowledge to select the most suitable location. The Skilltrade Cat B program provided me with a strong foundation that has helped me build my career in hydrography.
Which technological innovation excites you the most right now?
We are living in a time where everything is progressing at an incredible pace. We have already begun integrating large language models into our daily tasks to improve productivity. Witnessing this rapid development is truly exciting and gives hope for the future. Among the many innovations, I am most excited about advancements in AI and robotic systems. Bathymetric, sonar, and optical data are now being processed by AI algorithms. In addition, autonomous uncrewed survey platforms are increasingly being adopted worldwide. With continuous improvements in hardware systems, survey operations are becoming more efficient and reliable, enabling ocean exploration to advance faster than ever. This is an excited period of time as a hydrographer to be part of the ocean explorations.
What advice would you give to the next generation of hydrographers?
My advice is to continuously expand your knowledge and stay curious. I think hydrography is a rapidly evolving field, and staying up to date with the latest developments is essential. Make use of professional resources such as Hydro International, GIM International, and similar platforms to keep informed about new technologies, methods, and best practices. Lifelong learning and adaptability will be key to succeeding in this dynamic profession.