The Influence of International Standards on the Training and Education of Hydrographers

In 1972 two international organizations — FIG (Fédération Internationale des Géomètres) and IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) — decided that some form of international accreditation for hydrographic surveyors was desirable. The former was concerned with the need for commercial firms working in the offshore to have some recognized certification of the quality of staff which they might employ. The latter was driving towards providing developing nations with a capability in hydrographic surveying and this meant the training of personnel. A jointly sponsored working group was set up, which later led to the formation of an International Advisory Board. A standard Syllabus and recommended levels of experience were established. It was realized from the start that individual accreditation was impractical and a decision was reached to accredit individual teaching establishments. They in turn could provide individual certification if they wished. The Board and the Standards have now been in place for eight years. The process is now well established and, although amendments have been made each year to fit new and changing circumstances, the result has been to increase the completeness and quality of hydrographic training throughout the world. Institutions which had apparent gaps or weaknesses in their Syllabi have been urged to improve them. Schools, such as the Indian Navy’s Hydrographic School at Goa, funded partly by UNDP, now offer their courses to developing countries on an international standard that is followed by several advanced industrial nations, including France, the United States and the U.K.