Promising future for hydrography
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Promising future for hydrography

Hydro International speaks with John Nyberg and Maylord De Chavez

The hydrography profession seems to have a lower profile among young people compared to other marine sciences. Enrolment in hydrography courses has been decreasing for many years, and companies are struggling to fill vacancies. What does the future of the profession look like? Hydro International spoke to John Nyberg, director of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and his mentee Maylord De Chavez from the East Asia Hydro Commission, to discuss the topic of the hydrographer of the future. First, we asked Nyberg to shed light on initiatives that the IHO could champion to increase hydrography’s appeal to the next generation.

There are so many things to be excited about when considering hydrography as a profession. Modern geospatial programmes have already seen a transition towards computer science, and hydrography is no exception. In addition to the emphasis on information technology, autonomous hydrography is already here and is growing around the world. Promoting hydrography as a fundamental aspect of understanding how Earth systems work and change over time might encourage broader interest in the subject as a profession, but this should be coupled with current and potential advances in hydrographic technology.”

The public perception of hydrography often focuses on seafloor mapping, while the profession encompasses much more. How can we better communicate the diverse career opportunities and impact of modern hydrography?

“We really need to start working to make sure that hydrography is included in basic geographic and scientific school curricula. We have a wonderful story to tell, starting with the notion that the ocean is the last fully unexplored area of the Earth’s surface. When I think about my father as a child, there were still parts of the Amazon Basin that were not mapped or explored. If we tap the inner Indiana Jones’ in aspiring geographers, the ocean is where adventure lies. The study of temperature, pressure, salinity, depth and more will certainly lead us to new discoveries, including undiscovered life. We should be more creative in stimulating interest, and we should get better at sharing career experiences with young people. I am regularly amazed at the path that my career has taken, and strongly believe that a start in hydrography can lead to opportunities in technology, diplomacy, management, business and much more.”

Given the rapid advancement of autonomous systems and AI in hydrography, how do you envision redefining the core competencies for future hydrographers to balance traditional skills with emerging technologies?

“We must continue along the path of an emphasis on computer science, maths and engineering, but this should be coupled with the strong study of Earth systems, including physical geography. Everyone has AI on their mind these days, and I am positive that it will be an important part of our work in the future. For now, we need to be sure that we have an excellent knowledge of traditional skills to be able to ensure that AI is serving us well. Anyone who has used AI to generate a paper or speech quickly discovers that the information needs an expert’s review before use. A big part of my education was in international business, and I have found it to be extremely useful when considering both the economic and international value of hydrography and how it affects our society. So, for those of us who have focused our training on traditional cartography, which is still very important, an increasing emphasis on science, technology and engineering should be recognized as critical, while still understanding the basics of cartography. I believe that this is crucial to be able to ensure that the human experience combined with AI-generated products works under real-world conditions.”  

Faced with increasing environmental challenges such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion, how can we better prepare hydrographers to contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies?

“We really need to take a mixed approach to training. Hydrographers are best equipped to provide the core data needed for understanding how nearshore systems work, and marine modellers to build the tools that bring the information together for decision-making. The challenge is to build a hydrographic workforce that understands what it needs to do to provide the information needed to bring it all together. We are good at understanding hydrography, geodesy and GIS, but when you are in a room with land and sea mapping professionals, it sometimes seems like we come from different planets. In my view, hydrographers need to own the coastal zone, build expertise in land mapping, and make strategic thinking around climate mitigation a priority.”

What would enhance the appeal of the profession in times in which there are easier ways for young people to earn money?

“This is a tough question that boils down to some unfortunate personal views in the modern world. We all need money, and earning easy money is appealing – I get that. However, when the time comes for me to call it quits, I’ll be happy to know that I did something meaningful with my life. Hydrographers, from the Secretary General of the IHO to someone on their first day as a nautical cartographer, directly impact people’s lives. Accurate charts and modern surveys help to ensure that people get the things they need to survive. Hydrography helps us to understand how storms will affect coastal communities, to discover new underwater ecosystems, and to manage the marine environment, to name a few.”

What is the role of the IHO in shaping the future of the hydrographic profession?

“I hope that the IHO will serve as inspiration for future hydrographers. Our job is to help make sure that the profession of hydrography is accessible and that its potential is understood. We will continue to support and, I hope, modernize the standards of competence for our profession. I strongly believe that we need to be willing to work more with young people who are getting started in hydrography and with mid-career professionals who are trying to work their way up.”

What changes do you envision in hydrographic education to better integrate emerging technologies while maintaining fundamental surveying principles?

“We can’t ignore the fundamentals of surveying, cartography, geodesy or any of the scientific disciplines that we depend on for hydrography. To understand how emerging technologies work, there must be a basic understanding of the fundamentals. I imagine that in teaching new technology, the description of how basic science applies will become increasingly important. In a way, we may be teaching fundamental surveying principles to people who are excited about emerging technology without them realizing it. For example, most modern GIS courses teach the basics of geographic positioning and data transformation even though the software does it for you.”

John Nyberg, director of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

What is the general role of education in producing the next generation of hydrographers?

“The initial role of education should be to let the next generation know that hydrography is available as a profession and that it is exciting. As part of this, I think that hydrography needs to become a much more prevalent part of modern Earth Science programmes. It also needs to be much more accessible. This means that we need regional programmes at the university level around the world – some regions do not have one. The expansion of online training must be prioritized and should be low-cost.”

As maritime spatial planning becomes increasingly important, how do you see the role of hydrographers evolving in supporting sustainable ocean management?

“In my mind, the two disciplines go hand in hand – I can’t imagine a marine spatial planner without an understanding of hydrography. I also think that hydrographers, in many ways, already provide base information for marine spatial planning. I am sure that the future will find humanity taking advantage of space in the ocean that we are not even considering today. Who knows what type of resources the deep ocean may provide? I also think that hydrographers will be critically important for an eventual large-scale cleanup of the impact of human activities on the ocean; from microplastics to ocean acidification.”

Which components of current-day hydrography would you like to highlight as making the profession more attractive?

“I am forever amazed by international hydrography. Of course, I work for the IHO where international work is what we do, but the oceans are the last common space on Earth. I love the fact that what we do is scientific and technical with a touch of politics. We are living in complicated times and the world has become a complicated place. Hydrography is an area in which people from all parts of the world, from any background, can get together to work in a common direction to solve modern problems. I often feel that the field of hydrography might be one of the few places where the world can find common ground.”

John E. Nyberg has over 25 years’ experience working with government and public sector stakeholders to facilitate international cooperation initiatives that ensure the safety, efficiency and sustainability of marine transportation. In 2023, John was elected a member of the IHO Directing Committee. John has a PhD in Earth Systems & Geo-information Sciences, an MA in International Business and a BA in Geography.

Talking to the hydrographer of the future

John Nyberg mentors a young hydrographer from the Philippines, Maylord De Chavez. Hydro International interviewed De Chavez to learn more from the hydrographer of the future, on education, upskilling the workforce and expectations versus reality. Maylord starts by telling us which aspects of his daily work differ most from what he expected when entering the profession.

“Before starting my current job, I knew very little about hydrography or hydrographic surveys. I also had no prior experience using GNSS. The use of specialized equipment makes hydrography unique from other jobs. As a hydrographer, I have to understand the factors that affect the quality of data being collected. A surveyor must carefully plan a course of action to overcome the effects of the moving platform, the changing survey environment and tides on the accuracy of data. Long hours are also required for data collection, processing and analysis, as well as occasional equipment troubleshooting.”

How do you see the balance between traditional surveying skills and digital technologies in your current role?

“I believe that traditional surveying skills are here to stay and that the rapid development of digital technologies should complement our long-standing hydrographic practices. The introduction of AI, machine learning, unmanned surface vessels, robotics and big data boosts efficiency and accuracy, which is timely with the increasing demand for digital products and services. The primary focus of hydrography has evolved from aiding navigation to providing support to other sectors in the maritime domain. Hydrographic offices must acknowledge the need to upskill their workforce to ensure that new technologies and traditional skills work together to foster collaboration and innovation in the field.”

What challenges have you faced in building international professional networks, and what support would have been helpful early in your career?

“I had no idea how to start and grow my network of hydrography experts back then. When I started this job, the Philippines had very few professionals involved in hydrography outside the hydrographic office. No learning institution in the Philippines offers hydrography courses, and surveyors in the Philippines were mostly involved in land and construction surveys. Social media was not yet available to the public and it was prohibitively expensive to join conferences to gain access to professional organizations, so I only had the chance to meet professional hydrographers when I attended the IHO-sponsored Hydro programme in the US in 2014.

“Additionally, I believe that the lack of familiarity, language barrier and cultural differences keep young professionals from interacting with their counterparts abroad. Giving young hydrographers access to national and international professional networks at the beginning of their careers would be beneficial. Mentorship programmes benefit young professionals by providing access to information that could assist them in considering career options, challenge them to test new ideas, and further expand their network. Employers must allocate resources and allow their technical staff to travel for conferences so that they can engage with diverse cultures to expand their perspectives and adopt best practices. Established global professional organizations also play a major role in building networks for newcomers. Young professionals gain new information for their career growth and establish global connections thanks to their presence on multiple social media platforms.”

Based on your experience, what aspects of hydrographic education should be emphasized more to better prepare new professionals for the current work environment?

“First of all: technical competency. Early-career professionals should be introduced to new software, remote sensing technologies and processing software to keep up with the rapid development in modern hydrography. Secondly: data management. Newer technologies make it possible to efficiently acquire more accurate data, and students need to develop their analytical skills to manage large datasets. Thirdly: hydrographers must have a good foundation in oceanography, meteorology and marine geology for a better understanding of the marine environment. Fourthly: environmental awareness. Hydrographers play a crucial role in supporting global initiatives to map the entire ocean, understand its processes and develop models for the conservation of our finite marine resources. Even the application of modern technology to reduce carbon footprints while collecting as much marine data as possible and using it multiple times is one way of raising environmental awareness. Fifthly, to conclude: soft skills and communication. Hydrography is a team effort, and effective communication and collaboration are essential for knowledge sharing, network building and sustaining innovation.”

What would you say to young people considering a career in hydrography, and what opportunities do you see for the profession in the next decade?

“Give it a try. The future of hydrography is very promising. With current initiatives such as Seabed 2030, S-100 and Empowering Women in Hydrography, hydrography will undoubtedly improve our world, where data leads to informed decisions, drives innovation and enables everyone to take part in addressing the diverse challenges and needs of communities and stakeholders. These questions aim to create a dialogue between the strategic, high-level perspective of IHO leadership and the practical, ground-level experience of early-career professionals.”

Maylord De Chavez has ten years’ experience conducting hydrographic and coastline surveys, water level observation and levelling for the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in the Philippines. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Geodetic Engineering and, sponsored by the IHO and the Republic of Korea, earned an MSc in Hydrographic Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Maylord De Chavez has spent ten years specializing in hydrographic and coastline surveys, water level observation, and levelling for NAMRIA in the Philippines.
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