International Collaborative Training Program Conducted by Comren School Focuses on Hydrographic Surveying Across Canada
The 2021 International School of Hydrographic Surveying (ISHS) took place from October 25 to 29 at Université Laval, attracting participants both on-site and online. A total of 14 people gathered at the university, while 23 joined remotely from geographically diverse locations, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
The on-site participants were primarily from Quebec and Ontario, Canada, and France, while the online participants represented a wide range of professional backgrounds. Interestingly, 75% of on-site participants were professionals, and 25% were graduate students.
The ISHS provided intensive courses combining lectures and hands-on practical exercises, utilising modern hydrographic equipment and software. The training covered a wide range of topics, including multibeam surveys, vertical referencing, hydrodynamic modeling, digital bathymetric models, uncertainty estimation, patch testing, processing of backscatter data, GNSS applications, bathymetry in rivers and shallow waters, Topo-bathy LiDAR, and bathymetry derived from satellite images.
A one-day workshop on navigation and port activities was organised, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss topics such as safe and efficient navigation products, data and services, marine autonomous surface ships, pilotage, and the S-100 standard.
The co-modal approach, which allowed both in-person and online participation, was well-received. The training provided access to scientific material, courses, and lectures from national and international experts, as well as their related recordings. A satisfaction survey was conducted at the end of the training to gather feedback, with positive responses from participants, lecturers, and experts.
Looking ahead, a new edition of the ISHS is planned for 2022, with a preference for a late summer or early fall date. Suggestions for future editions include more presentations on river bathymetry, survey examples with Remotely Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, and Automated Surface Vehicles, and a more extended hands-on session. The goal is to increase the participation of industry and the community of practice in the ISHS school for the next edition.
The ISHS aims to build capacity in hydrographic surveying through structured, practical, and theoretical education curated by ocean and mapping experts. For precise and updated details, consulting COMREN’s official communications or publications is recommended.
For more information about the ISHS, please visit the official website at https://crdig.ulaval.ca/ecole-internationale-en-leves-hydrographiques/.
Engaging in online education, one can further their knowledge of ocean mapping and hydrographic survey through the International School of Hydrographic Surveying's (ISHS) courses. For those interested in this field, the ISHS offers various learning opportunities, including access to scientific material and lectures from national and international experts.
