A Hydrographer’s path from study to the PLA

Since 1999, the PLA’s Hydrography team has worked in partnership with UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering (CEGE) to deliver the internationally accredited 'MSc in Geospatial Science, Hydrographic Surveying' course, supporting the education of future hydrographic surveyors from around the world.

Originally from Grays, Essex, PLA Hydrographic Surveyor, Tom Ford, decided to invest in the course with an ambition to work for the Port of London. Tom graduated with his 'MSc in Geospatial Science, Hydrographic Surveying' in 2016 before joining the Hydrographic team at Forth Ports in Edinburgh for five and a half years. He then returned to his roots by the Thames, achieving his goal of working in the world-class Hydro team at the PLA.

Since then, Tom has been supporting the UCL course, which he says gives him a chance to feedback into the latest cohort of students, demonstrate the advantages of the advanced multibeam technology which is on the PLA vessels, and gain from the high engineering and science that is happening in the background.

Although as Tom quips: “It’s great that the students can benefit from the latest and greatest in tech and tools but the very first thing we teach the international students, when they get onboard our boats, is arguably the most important task of all: to put the kettle on. Long days on the water mean tea and biscuits are an essential part of Hydrographic Surveying!”