Oceanographic surveys can be necessary for large build marine projects, oil drilling, making a major real estate purchase, demolition, excavation and many other maritime needs. Quickly respond to your project need by having a list of oceanic survey providers and/or oceanic survey equipment providers at hand.

Whether you are studying water and tide levels, are conducting an imagery depiction of the ocean floor or are measuring distance, having the right oceanic survey company will ensure a job well done by a qualified professional.

To make the most of ocean survey resources:

1. Find out what oceanic surveys are required by law for your project.

2. Seek out the services of oceanic survey professionals to conduct the survey and document the findings.

3. Turn in or register your survey to all necessary parties to ensure the continued success of your project.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find oceanographic survey providers

Take advantage of the few surveyors who will tackle marine and oceanographic survey projects. They are few and far between, so prepare to pay a premium for their services.

I recommend: Ocean Surveys has been in business since 1965. They offer both the industry and government technical expertise in acquiring and interpreting scientific data from underwater environments. Their services include hydrography, oceanography, geophysics, sediment sampling as well use of their remotely operated vehicles. Check out the hydrographic survey services of Arc Surveyors. They use multibeam soundings, side-scan sonar, ground penetrating radar as well as sub-bottom profiling. Find out how Sea Diversified uses sounding and positioning equipment as well as navigation software.

Use government resources to help you with your oceanographic surveys

Oceanographic surveys can be more easily facilitated by taking advantage of existing surveys and government resources available to the public. There is no need to re-invent the wheel, so if an existing survey already is available, take advantage of that before considering having a new one ordered.

I recommend: Consider the hydrographic surveys conducted by The Office of Coast Survey (OCS), part of NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS). Take advantage of coastal charts from the Office of Coast Survey.

Purchase the right equipment to conduct your ocean survey

Ocean survey equipment can be purchased through a handful of merchants, and costs are premium.

I recommend: Find out about underwater survey equipment from Cave-exploration.com. Consider Doppler and configuration equipment from Teledyne RD Instruments. Lease marine sensors and more from Survey Equipment Services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider used or refurbished equipment to conduct your ocean survey. Another option is to lease oceanographic survey equipment instead of investing in a purchase if you only have a short term use for the gear.
• •  Consider attending industry trade show events to find the latest in oceanographic survey equipment. Network with people in the industry, and find out the pertinent information to help you with cost savings while at the same time ensuring quality.