Bachelor studies in Geodesy and Geoinformation in Bonn | Surveyor in a shipyard (ship measurements, monitoring in shipbuilding) and in a survey office (cadastre) | since June 2022 as surveyor at the BSH Rostock in the field of geodetic-hydrographic methods and systems
I work at the BSH, the maritime authority of the Federal Republic of Germany, in the research and development area of marine surveying. Among other things, the BSH is responsible for the safety and ease of maritime navigation. To do this, we need to know the current shape of the seabed. We also need to know where underwater obstacles such as wrecks, large rocks and overboard containers are located. The location of objects on the seabed can change due to currents, which is why we have to survey them repeatedly. We use echo sounders and sonars for this.
I am currently developing a stereo camera measurement system that will allow our divers to take additional images of underwater obstacles. From these images, I can then calculate exact 3D models. These, together with the data from the echo sounders, provide important information about the type, cargo and condition of shipwrecks, for example.
I mainly work on my projects and tasks in the office. Partly, I am also on board our survey, wreck search and research vessels on the North Sea and Baltic Sea. This gives me the opportunity to test my developments directly in practice. I test and compare different software packages, research technical literature and develop algorithms for my projects. In addition, consultation with colleagues and the exchange of ideas with them are an integral part of my work.
Geodesy covers everything from small-scale surveying, such as when building a house, to the very large-scale analysis of satellite images of the earth. I find this diversity very appealing. I always wanted to study something applied in the natural sciences. I came across geodesy through a private career counseling service and was immediately fascinated.
In the meantime I am working in the field of marine surveying. I particularly appreciate the versatility and variety in this field of application. Surveying underwater requires special equipment and methods that differ from those on land. Current challenges in my project are mainly the limited visibility and the low light, respectively the water turbidity, so that always new solutions have to be worked out.
Marine surveying provides fundamental information about the shape and nature of the seafloor and the objects on it. It is through our measurements that we create the prerequisites for ships to sail safely and efficiently, for example. The data are also important for identifying habitats for nature conservation purposes, for example.
Dare to get to know completely new areas that you have not thought of before. Even if the beginning seems difficult, it is worth persevering. There are many things that are easy to learn.
