Description

To ensure the smooth flow of maritime and river traffic, it is essential to maintain the depth of access channels and harbours by dredging sediment. The dredging manager is responsible for this role. They lead survey and navigation teams to ensure vessels can access the area at all times.

Qualities and skills

• Accuracy
• Rigour and a systematic approach
• Independence
• Ability to concentrate
• Team spirit
• Ability to work at sea
• Knowledge of various dredging techniques
• Proficiency in specialist GPS positioning software
• Carrying out hydrographic and topographic surveys
• Operation of dredging equipment

Education and training

There is no specific training programme to prepare for this profession, but to work on board a merchant ship, you must have successfully completed a specific training course. Knowledge and experience of operating construction machinery and working on waterways are strongly recommended. To take up a post as a ‘superintendent’ or ‘surveyor’ in dredging, an engineering degree (civil or industrial) or a master’s degree in nautical sciences is required.

Sectors and companies

Dredging operators work on bodies of water, in canals, in ports or on the high seas. If they work on canals or rivers, their working hours are fixed and regular. For maritime assignments, they live in confined quarters with the rest of the crew. Their working environment changes frequently: dredging vessels, successive work sites or, at times, the countries in which they are required to work.