Nevertheless, whether we like it or not, things have somehow changed. The advancements of technology are marking tracks in the way our professionals are facing the challenge of extracting from nature the precise data to create products for the benefit of mankind. In this regard, it is suggested that we look back, and with the perspective that today's knowledge provides us, appreciate that really what was done by our ancestors, and the way it was done, is ‘unbeatable’ by the spirit of service and sacrifice which they showed. We guess that for the new generations of hydrographic surveyors, the main challenge consists in being recognised as reliable and unquestionable professionals, devoted to contributing to safety at sea and the development of other relevant related international maritime activities.

As It Once Was
In the third Yearbook of the Chilean Hydrographic Office, 1887, Lieutenant Manuel Señoret, commanding officer of the hydrographic group which was exploring the area of Río Bueno, at the end of the year, very close to Christmas and New Year eve, recorded the following activities in the logbook of the hydrographic vessel:

‘On the 24th, during all the day we continued working, finishing everything up to ‘El Manzanillo’, on the southern coast of the river, two kilometres apart from Las Ánimas estuary’

‘25 December was holiday. We gave rest to our crew, to allow them to wash their clothes and repair the surveying boats’.

Here we have an example of an old fashioned way to work in hydrography. In effect, the chief of the hydrographic team, working all day before Christmas and granting to his group the concession of having some 'rest' time during the holiday to ‘wash their clothes and repair the surveying boats’, is nothing else than a true example of what have historically marked the selfless spirit of the hydrographic surveyor. For a job that is so dependable on the meteorological conditions couldn't be any other way; no matter the latitude or season of the year where the survey takes place, normally the hydrographic surveyor's task has been tough, highlighted by the constraints and pressure of time to do everything according to the instructions provided. Thus was Christmas in 1877 in this corner of the world. There must have been many other examples like the crew of the ‘Río Bueno’ unknown by common mortals, perhaps in the Malacca Strait, Mississippi River or the Aegean Sea.

Professional Changes for Hydrographic Surveyors
Most readers will argue that in those days the rhythm of user's demands was very much slower than today. It is true; but we also have to recognise that today the elements and instrumentation which hydrographic surveyors have access to are infinitely better than those used, for example, by Captain Robert Fitz Roy (Royal Navy, 1805-1856) Commanding Officer of H.M.S. Beagle on the expedition to South American coasts. At the time you try to compare the differences between present and old expeditions, you end up finding that really they cannot be compared. A valuable question which then arises is: were they better professionals than us, performing surveys with so precarious equipment whose results until today we admired by its precision?
For our understanding, the dedication and professionalism of the early hydrographic surveyors still constitutes the basis of our esoteric profession everywhere in the world. Our feelings push us to consider those ‘old chaps’ to be sort of ‘supermen’ gifted with aptitudes reaching the level of heroism. But where does this feeling come from? We are of the opinion that multiple factors exist. Some of them follow:

• The hydrographic tradition
  The hydrographic surveyor as a person belongs to a profession which has always felt the weight of an unalterable tradition of effort and excellence in its work. Obviously this is translated into a legitimate pride to be the successors of people who were the ones who opened navigation routes which are today used by navigators throughout the world. This tradition has resulted in bridging cultures, countries and civilisations, as well as contributing to improving the world’s geographic knowledge.
  
• The effect and influence of hydrographic surveys
  Carrying out works to build a commercial port which will cost a nation thousands of millions of dollars; or for the construction of a marina which will allow the development of tourism, are tasks that constitute a high responsibility to any professional who appraises the importance and consequence of his work, relative to the welfare of the population of his country. Unquestionably the hydrographic surveyor's ego can be boosted over time as the nautical chart which he contributes to is still in use by the mariners of the world, even after many years have passed since the data was collected.
  
• The feeling of considering itself different
  The experience of being exposed to lands that have never been trodden before invites the hydrographic surveyor to think of himself as ‘a discoverer’. The adventure of conducting these activities in very close relationship with nature, perhaps in a sort of marriage distinguishes the hydrographic surveyor as a person from other men.
  It can be seen that all these factors are tightly linked with the way ‘the person’ conducts and performs his profession. Certainly these differences have historically marked hydrographers, all over the world. No matter what the changes are, the answer to the question, is it the same to be or not a hydrographic surveyor, is not an easy one. Notwithstanding, in our opinion we are different.
  But we still have a second question: are today's hydrographic surveyors as good as former ones? Let's think if we should expect any changes that could affect in a negative way the profession. The following characteristics are seen as the basis of the hydrographic surveyor's success:
  
• Self control
  
• Initiative
  
• Temper
  
• Knowledge
  
• Co-operation
  
• Manners
  
• Wisdom
  
• Toleration
  
• Measure
  
• Honesty
  
• Responsibility
  
• Good health to work in tough conditions
  
• Ability to work in group and to lead working teams

• Increasing volume of data

• Troubles in keeping hackers away from our information management systems

• ’Anuario Hidrográfico de la Marina de Chile. Volumen 3. 1877’
  
• ’Oceanography. An introduction to marine science’. T. Garrison. 3th Edition, 1999. Wadsworth publishing, California
  
• ’Continuing Professional Development’. Federation of Surveyors. Publication N° 15. September 1996
  
• ’Personnel and Training; rules established by the International Advisory Board of FIG/OHI, on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers’. Captain Hugo Gorziglia. Workshop at the International Maritime Academy, Trieste, Italy, 22-24 September, 1999