Guidelines for Contractors: Ten Expert Suggestions on Surveying Across Multiple Disciplines.

Guidelines for Contractors: Ten Expert Suggestions on Surveying Across Multiple Disciplines.

In the realm of hydrographic surveying, a science that plays a crucial role in nautical charting, experience, innovation, and collaboration are key to success. Discovery Marine Ltd (DML), a seasoned provider in the field, shares several tips for developing a sustainable, proficient, and efficient hydrographic survey business.

Adopt Advanced Survey Technologies and Innovation

Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment such as multibeam sonar, underwater imaging, and autonomous vehicles is essential to improve data collection quality and operational efficiency.

Integrate with National and Regional Hydrographic Authorities

Collaborating closely with entities like LINZ (Land Information New Zealand) helps ensure survey data meets official standards and is effectively incorporated into nautical charts and marine spatial data infrastructures.

Focus on Capacity Building and Standards Compliance

Ensuring adherence to global hydrographic standards, such as those promulgated by the International Hydrographic Organization, supports safety, environmental protection, and maritime security objectives that underpin trusted nautical charting.

Develop Robust Project Management and Operational Expertise

Efficient deployment, survey planning, and timely data delivery underpin reputation and reliability in servicing government and commercial clients.

Embrace Data Management and Integration with Digital Nautical Products

Maximizing the utility of collected data through integration into S-100 frameworks and e-navigation initiatives ensures relevancy as the charting market evolves.

Maintain Environmental and Economic Sustainability

Incorporating environmentally responsible practices and balancing operational costs maintain business viability and compliance with regulations.

Competing demands by multiple stakeholders with different sized budgets require compromise. DML, a hydrographic survey provider, shares weather downtime budgets with LINZ, refunding unused allowance for additional line miles as they approach the project completion. Having depth in your team is vital to prevent staff burn-out. Every role should have a backup.

For complex projects that involve several client stakeholders, it's important to have clarity around who the client is and who the contractor is. Recent trends towards panels of providers as opposed to contestable "winner takes all" contracts aim to create a win-win for both the client and suppliers. Transparent budgets can shift focus to finding smarter, more cost-effective ways to deliver outcomes.

Early and genuine stakeholder engagement is beneficial for project development, as it allows for validation of questions, exploration of operational and project challenges, opportunities for innovation, and project efficiencies. The statement "some data, is better than no data" has significant bearing in areas of responsibility for nautical charting and marine science that are large, such as in New Zealand and Australia.

DML is collaborating with a competitor for the first time in 10 years, sharing vessels to avoid mobilization costs, working on the same project to achieve a faster project delivery, and jointly developing process innovations to provide more efficient project outcomes. A healthy panel of providers' environment can remove fear from the table, increase trust between the client and panel members, and encourage collaboration.

Clear specifications are important, but can be challenging in multidisciplinary surveys, especially for non-bathymetric datasets. A clear and concise project brief is crucial for successful complex nautical charting surveys. It's important for the contractor to understand what must be achieved, what elements are critical and why, what specific deliverables are required, when they are required, and in what form.

The Australian Government is considering a shift towards contracted industry hydrographic survey supply, following in the footsteps of New Zealand's 20-year journey of outsourcing hydrographic services, with Discovery Marine Ltd (DML) joining that journey in 1997/98. Since then, DML has been a regular supplier to LINZ since 2007. Not all IHO Cat A or AHSCP Level 1 hydrographic surveyors are equally competent, and it takes significant time in the field working on complex nautical charting surveys to be fully competent to deliver a quality project. It's important to establish realistic timeframes for all aspects of the project, including contract negotiations, contract signing, funding, and budgetary considerations. People involved in hydrographic surveying should be adequately tested in a supportive environment before allowing them to lead major projects.

In conclusion, the hydrographic surveying industry is one that values experience, innovation, and collaboration. By adopting best practices, hydrographic survey companies can effectively support the nautical charting market sustainably and proficiently.

1. Investing in advanced survey technologies like multibeam sonar, underwater imaging, and autonomous vehicles will improve the quality of data collection and operational efficiency.
2. Collaborating with national and regional hydrographic authorities, such as LINZ in New Zealand, ensures survey data meets official standards and is effectively incorporated into nautical charts.
3. Adherence to global hydrographic standards promulgated by the International Hydrographic Organization supports safety, environmental protection, and maritime security objectives.
4. Efficient project management and operational expertise are essential for reputation and reliability in servicing both government and commercial clients.
5. Embracing data management and integration with digital nautical products ensures the collected data remains relevant as the charting market evolves.
6. Environmental and economic sustainability is crucial for maintaining business viability and compliance with regulations.
7. Stakeholder engagement early and honestly allows for validation of questions, exploration of operational and project challenges, opportunities for innovation, and project efficiencies.
8. In hydrographic surveying, clarity around who the client is and who the contractor is is important, especially in projects with multiple stakeholders.
9. Panel providers' environments can remove fear, increase trust, and promote collaboration, as opposed to contestable "winner takes all" contracts.
10. A clear and concise project brief is crucial for complex nautical charting surveys to ensure the contractor understands the requirements and deliverables.
11. The Australian Government is considering shifting toward contracted industry hydrographic survey supply, following New Zealand's 20-year journey of outsourcing hydrographic services.
12. Since joining the journey of outsourcing hydrographic services in 1997/98, Discovery Marine Ltd has been a regular supplier to LINZ since 2007.
13. Not all IHO Cat A or AHSCP Level 1 hydrographic surveyors are equally competent, and significant time in the field working on complex nautical charting surveys is necessary to be fully competent.
14. Establishing realistic timeframes for all aspects of the project, including contract negotiations, contract signing, funding, and budgetary considerations, is essential to deliver a quality project.
15. People involved in hydrographic surveying should be adequately tested in a supportive environment before leading major projects.
16. In conclusion, the hydrographic surveying industry thrives on experience, innovation, and collaboration to support the nautical charting market sustainably and proficiently.
17. Developing robust partnerships, just as Discovery Marine Ltd has with a competitor, can achieve faster project delivery, avoid mobilization costs, and jointly develop process innovations for more efficient outcomes.

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