Hydrographic-Geophysical Survey
Annual harbour bathymetry survey
River Hamble Harbour Authority
Hydrographic-Geophysical Survey
All ports have a statutory duty to ensure safety of navigation. To maintain its knowledge of water depths of the river and understand any changes, the River Hamble Harbour Authority commissions bathymetry surveys.
Since the 1990s, ABPmer has annually undertaken hydrographic surveys of the river. The survey site nominally covers the area from the harbour entrance to the tidal reaches at Curdridge and Botley.
Different sections of the river are surveyed on a rolling programme ensuring that all areas of the Authority’s jurisdiction are covered at least every five years. The decision on which stretch to be surveyed in any one year is determined by the requirements of the River Hamble Harbour Master.
The surveys were originally carried out in the early summer months; however, as the numbers of vessel movements have increased over the years, they have been undertaken on spring tides during the autumn equinox. Surveying at this time of year provides a clearer waterway to work within, and enables survey coverage to be maximised, with access to the river margins as well as the main channels.
ABPmer provides the Hamble Harbour Master with paper charts, and sends the data to the UKHO for inclusion in their Admiralty Chart No. 2022.
ABPmer's surveyors support marine developments with a comprehensive understanding of the seabed, delivering quality maps and analysis of depth and features. Learn more about our hydrographic-geophysical survey capability.
