In accordance with our Royal Charter, the IMarEST is able to award suitably qualified and experienced applicants the title of Chartered Marine Scientist (Hydrography) and with this the right to use the post nominals CMarSci(Hydrography).

Who can apply?

Applicants must be a Member or Fellow of the IMarEST but applications for membership and registration can be made at the same time.

As an individual wishing to pursue registration as CMarSci(Hydrography), you will be a professional person with the academic qualifications and technical expertise to conduct one, or more, of the following activities:

• to determine, measure and represent the earth, three-dimensional objects, point-fields and trajectories underwater or from the water;
• to assemble and interpret seabed, watercolumn and geographically related information;
• to use that information for the planning and efficient administration of the sea and any structures thereon/in; and,
• to conduct research into the above practices and to develop them.

What are the benefits?

The CMarSci(Hydrography) designation has many benefits for individuals, employers and the public as a whole. As a profession, society does not recognise Hydrographic Surveying as it does engineering or earth sciences; partly due to it being a small industry but also because it sits within larger, more recognised professions as part of large offshore projects. There has also been no one professional qualification which is globally recognised and encompasses all aspects of Hydrographic Survey. The definition of hydrography has not been updated to reflect how hydrographic survey skills are used in today’s varied industries.

Individuals who aspire to be recognised as professional hydrographic surveyors (CMarSci(Hydrography)) require independent assessment of their competence and commitment, and this standard provides the means to achieve that. Furthermore, CMarSci(Hydrography) registration provides employers with additional assurance of the quality of their workforce. It is of benefit to:

• Society, which will be more confident in the competence of an individual and need no longer be confused by a platform of letters and descriptions.
• Individual practitioners, by identification as a professional that sets them at the forefront of their profession and offers a passport to mobility.
• Employers, with confirmation, through the designation, of the quality of a job applicant.
• Government departments, seeking to appoint advisers or consultants would have an assurance about the level of an individual’s expertise.
• Professional bodies, with provision through the new designation of additional opportunities to benchmark their qualifications.
• Higher education, which will be better able to set and monitor benchmarks for their courses, and to promote programmes of study to meet the high standards required of CMarSci(Hydrography).
• Regulatory Authorities, who could be confident in specifying the designation in legislation and regulations.
• Legal credibility, enabling expert witness participation at a defined standard.
• Professional standing, recognising equality of excellence across the hydrographic surveying profession.

What are the requirements?

CMarSci(Hydrography) is open to everyone, who can demonstrate the required high-level knowledge, understanding and professional competence. The exemplifying educational standard is a Masters level qualification in an approved subject. There are many routes that can be measured to meet this standard, including a combination of academic awards, vocational qualifications and experiential learning through work. Competence includes the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin performance.

For more information, we encourage you to download the pdf CMarSci(Hydrography) Standards (344 KB) .

CMarSci(Hydrography) registrants are required to maintain their professional competence, working within professional codes of conduct and participate actively within their profession. There is also a requirement for continuing professional development.

How to apply

If you think you meet the criteria for CMarSci(Hydrography) registration complete an online application or download a form below.

Your application will need to consist of:

• A completed application form signed by your referee
• Your CV
• A professional development report (refer to the guidance below)
• Photocopies of your academic certificates
• Registration fee