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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of tidal and depth measurement theory
Level / 4 / Credits / 12
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to:understand tidal fundamentals, interpolate tidal information, and understand tidal measurement, tidal datums, accuracies, depth measurement methodology, and the correlation between tidal and depth measurement.
Classification / Surveying > Hydrography
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1The following legislation and documentation must be complied with:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
TH Standard 31 Standards for Hydrographic Surveys (HYSPEC) v3 (Wellington: National Topographic/Hydrographic Authority, 2001), available at
IHO Standards for Hydrographic Surveys, Special Publication No 44 (Monaco: International Hydrographic Organisation, 1998) (IHO standards), available at
Specifications for Geodetic Hydrographic Control Points v1.1 (Wellington: Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), 2006), available at
Guidelines of Good Practice for Hydrographic Surveys in New Zealand Ports and Harbours (Wellington: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand, 2004), available at .
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge oftidal fundamentals.
Evidence requirements
1.1Tide generating forces are described.
1.2Temporal and spatial effects on water level caused by atmospheric pressure, wind, seiches, and precipitation are described.
1.3Modifying influences that affect the tide are explained.
1.4Different types of tide are identified and explained.
1.5Different tidal levels are defined.
Outcome 2
Interpolate tidal information
Evidence requirements
2.1Water levels at main and secondary ports are predicted using tide tables.
2.2Water levels at a particular time are interpolated.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of tidal measurement and datums.
Evidence requirements
3.1Different methods of tidal measurement and their recording are described
Rangeat least two methods of tidal measurement.
3.2Tidal streams and currents, and the methods for measuring are explained.
3.3Tidal datums, and how to reference tidal datums to a land benchmark are described.
3.4Accuracies for each component part of the tidal measurement are described.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate knowledge of depth measurement.
Evidence requirements
4.1Principles, capabilities and limitations of different depth measurement methodologies are described.
Rangemethodologies include: acoustic echo sounder, multi-beam, laser bathymetry, lead-lining, remote sensing, side-scan sonar.
4.2Correlation between depth measurement and tide measurement are explained.
Planned review date / 31 December 2020Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 19 November 2015 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0101
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the CMR. The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Infrastructure ITO you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Infrastructure ITOSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018