Plymouth Sound training sets Royal Navy hydrographers up to benefit shipping across the world

The Royal Navy's team of hydrographers are training around the coastal waters of Plymouth during British Science Week.

The hydrographers unit – practising their Rapid Environmental Assessment capability from Devonport naval base – is a globally deployable team that can move anywhere in the world at short notice.

With British Science Week ending on 19 March, Lieutenant Helen Anthony explains the part science plays in what the Navy hydrographers do, saying: "Science is vitally important in surveying in the Royal Navy.

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"Hydrographic charts are crucial to safe navigation of Royal Navy ships and our unit here supports that, enabling charts to be kept up to date and providing information on the subsurface condition of harbours."

The team members use a series of scientific equipment that can survey navigational channels and harbour approaches, which benefit shipping across the world.

Closer to home in Plymouth Sound, the hydrographers use portable multibeam echo sounders, a single beam sounder and a side scan sonar, to train around Plymouth Harbour.

This training exercise will check Cattewater Harbour control's bathymetric data for their records, measuring and comparing the depths of water in that area.

Able Seaman Tom Jennings, one of Lt Anthony's team, has been a hydrographer for three years.

He said: "In the branch, my hydrographer training can take me to degree level, and the lifestyle in the Royal Navy really suits me.

"We have a broader range of experience in working with towed sonar, deep water survey and coastal area survey. My transferable skills are valuable in the civilian world." 

Adam Bolton, an instructor from Plymouth University, is also a Royal Navy Reservist Hydrographer, a relatively new branch for the Reserves.

He said: "I've been a reservist for almost 20 years, and have a role in supporting hydrography in the Navy.

"The work we do supports scientific research, and the collection of the data helps marine protected areas and coastal erosion measures.

"My scientific background has helped the Royal Navy develop a more scientific approach to surveying," he added.