There is no shortage of work in hydrographic surveying, only a shortage of qualified personnel. Skilltrade has been closing that gap since 2000, and applications for the 31st edition of our Category B Hydrographic Survey Course are open until 26 October 2026.

An internationally recognised qualification

The programme meets the FIG/IHO/ICA S-5B standard and is recognised by the International Board on Standards of Competence (IBSC). It is delivered in partnership with Maritime Institute Nova College in IJmuiden, The Netherlands. To date 235 alumni from 54 countries have completed it.

Built around a working career, not instead of one

Most people who want this qualification already have a job, often offshore. The programme is built for that reality and runs in four stages.

Stage 0. Self-paced e-learning in mathematics and physics, so a class from a dozen educational backgrounds starts on level ground. Completed before the lectures begin.

Stage 1. Online lectures from 23 November 2026, running alongside your work, covering the 6 essential subjects of the S-5B standard and organised on a two-weeks rotation basis, alternating live online lectures and self-study.

Stage 2. Six weeks onsite in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands. Practical workshops, safety training and visits to hydrographic companies, then a supervised Comprehensive Final Field Project in which students plan, execute and report a complete survey themselves. Performance is assessed on technical accuracy, teamwork and professional conduct, because that is how it is assessed at work.

Taught by people who still do the job

Our lecturers are practising hydrographers, not career academics. Bathymetry, Positioning and Hydrographic Practice are led by Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk, author of the Handbook of Offshore Surveying. Data management is taught in BeamworX software by Ebelien van der Velde. Students also get a guest lecture on underwater acoustic positioning from Sonardyne and a workshop from the Hydrographic Office of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Want something shorter?

Skilltrade runs online short courses in hydrography through the year, from Introduction to Hydrography to multibeam data processing, geodesy and side scan sonar. Our Introduction to Hydrography course has been delivered to the UK Hydrographic Office. They are a straightforward way to test the water, or to fill a specific gap, without committing to a full qualification.

We also keep the textbooks in print. The three volumes of the Handbook of Offshore Surveying are available from the Skilltrade bookstore and remain a working reference on the desk, not just on the hard drive.

Who can apply?

Anyone with a passion and the drive to learn!

Applications for the S5-B 31st class close on 26 October 2026. Online lectures start 23 November 2026.

Full details and the registration form: www.skilltrade.nl

Questions and applications: office@skilltrade.nl

 

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