MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING DESIGN ART AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT OF GEOMATICS AND LAND MANAGEMENT
LSG 2204 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING
EXAMINATION SEMESTER II 2018/19
Date: 7th May 2019 Time: 2:00 to 5:00pm
Instructions
i. Attempt all questions
ii. All questions carry 20 marks

Question 1
a) Define hydrography Surveying? (2marks)
b) Briefly describe the history of hydrography surveying? (4marks)
c) What do you understand by the Law of the Sea? How has the law of the Sea been
compiled? (6marks)
d) Briefly describe the practical relevance of hydrographic surveying to a nation like
Uganda? (4marks)
e) Briefly discuss the steps that you should go through to successfully conduct a
hydrographic survey? (4marks)

Question 2
a) Discuss in detail the maritime zones as specified in hydrographic surveys? (6marks)
b) Describe the components of the continental margin, what is the most important part of the
continental margin? (6marks)
c) What is a baseline, discuss in detail how the baseline can be defined under different
geographical circumstances or situations? (6marks)
d) Distinguish between normal and straight baselines? When would each type of baseline be
used? (2marks)

Question 3
a) During a hydrographic survey three shore stations A, B and C were established such that
AB = 792m and BC = 870m, the three stations lying in a straight line, Angles APB and
BPC were measured simultaneously by a sextant as 48 0 36 ' and 46 0 24' respectively, from
a float point which was then due east of B. determine the bearing of ABC, given that A
lies southwards of B? (10marks)
b) Discuss briefly how GNSS systems can be used to determine horizontal positions of
points during hydrographic surveys? Highlight the merits and demerits of using such
systems? (6marks)
c) What are the general precautions that should be undertaken by a hydrographic surveyors
to minimize error when fixing horizontal control on water? (4marks)
Question 4
a) Describe the different types of echo sounders used in sea depth measurement? When and
why would these be used? Identify the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques of
sea depth measurement by use of echo sounder? (8marks)
 b) Discuss in detail the different error sources in sea depth measurement? How can each of
these errors be eliminated or minimized in hydrographic surveys? (6marks)
c) Show how satellite altimetry has been used to day in sea depth measurement? Why would
we prefer this technique and what are the limiting factors if any? (6marks)
Question 5
a) Distinguish between tides and tidal gauges? Why do we have to study and measure these
phenomena in hydrography? (4marks)
b) Describe in detail how a tidal gauge is used to measure tides? Sketches and other
illustrations will carry marks? (6marks)
c) Explain the different causes of tides on the water bodies? What are the common types of
tides experienced? (6marks)
d) Calculate the reduced sounding for each of the conditions tabulated below? (4marks)

Depth using Tidal height above (+) Error due to weather conditions
echo sounder or below (-) chart above (+) or below (-) tidal water
datum level at the time of sounding
(a) 10.2m +1.5m -0.3m
(b) 15.7m -0.8m +0.5m
(c) 32.7ft +3.8ft -1.4ft
(d) 50.2ft -2.3ft -1.8ft

Question 6
a) What do you understand by a chart datum? Why is a chart datum always taken to be the
low water mark? (4marks)
b) Discuss in detail what you would interpret from the following when reading a nautical
chart? (10marks)
i. Title block
ii. Lettering
iii. Symbols
iv. Soundings, and
v. Contours
c) What are the indicators that would show you the accuracy of the nautical chart being
used? (4marks)
d) Briefly highlight the common nautical chart scales used? (2marks)

SUCCESS!