Training for Hydrographic Surveyors at the Centre for Hydrographic Studies, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The Centre for Hydrographic Studies (CHS) established at the Faculty of Surveying and Real Estate, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, is the only academic institution in the country presently focusing its effort toward the development of hydrographic surveying. One of the main objectives of the centre is to provide an education and training for hydrographic surveyors to cater for the increasing need of the country. This paper presents an overview of the establishment of the centre. However, the focus of this paper is to discuss on the design and development of the Hydrographic Surveying I (HYDRO I) course offered by the CHS to the hydrographic surveying community in Malaysia and the region

Availability and Effectiveness of Differential Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) Radio Beacon for Hydrographic Positioning

Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) radio beacon has been recognized in most country as an aid to safety for marine navigation. The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) has listed all DGNSS stations that have officially operated around the world. The authorized frequency for DGNSS radio beacon is between 283.5 kHz to 325 kHz. In this way, users are able to receive DGPS correction through Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services Special Committee 104 (RTCM SC-104) format (IALA, 2001)

A Hybrid AHP-TOPIS-Based Marine Economic Activities Evaluation Model for Marine Geospatial Data Infrastructure

Marine economic activities are related to the economics of marine resources and maritime sectors, particularly for Marine Geospatial Data Infrastructure (MGDI) and the blue economy. Malaysia has different resource-based economic activities within its maritime delineation zones (MDZs), characterized to be a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. However, previous studies have not adequately examined these activities across the MDZs. This paper assesses Malaysia's marine economic activities in these zones through a novel and hybrid framework incorporating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Techniques for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) models. AHP was used to evaluate the economic criterion of MGDI, while, the priorities obtained serve as part of the input data for the TOPSIS model that examined the trends in economic activities across the MDZs and rank them in order of preference. The results suggest that naval administration, sovereignty, and defense are highly prioritized among the five marine economic activities considered, with a value of 42%. Meanwhile, the Contiguous Zone was the highest-ranked MDZ for economic activities in Malaysian waters, with a computed  values of 27.7%. This approach provides stakeholders with an evaluation model to assess marine economic activities in different MDZs, providing a robust framework for effective evaluations of MCDM, and marine operations

The accuracy of satellite derived bathymetry in coastal and shallow water zone

Precise and accurate bathymetric measurements are conventionally acquired by means of ship-based acoustic equipment. Nevertheless, recent multispectral satellite imagery has been utilised as a substitute source to map the seabed topography which indicates new revolution in hydrographic surveying. This study assesses the satellite bathymetric depth’s accuracy based on the vertical uncertainty as stated in the Standards for Hydrographic Surveys issued by the International Hydrographic Organization. Two empirical algorithms, namely, Dierssen’s and Stumpf’s approaches have been adopted to model the seafloor topography over the coastal and shallow water at Tanjung Kupang, Malaysia. The outcomes demonstrate a decent correlation between the derived water depths and the sounding values acquired from a ship-based acoustic survey. For instance, a total of 1,215 out of the 1,367 generated water depths by Stumpf’s model have hit the minimum standard of survey in S-44. Similarly, out of the 1,367 samples from Diessen’s model, 1,211 samples have met the minimum requirement listed in the survey standard. The results demonstrate both imageries derived bathymetry models convey promising results which can be ultilised for bathymetric mapping application. Therefore, this imagery derived bathymetry can be considered as an alternative bathymetric surveying technique to supply cost-effective solution and survey data to support the Blue Economy and Sustainable Development Goals 14

Ellipsoidally Referenced Surveying Technique: A Review of the Current Status and Development of Ellipsoidally Referenced Surveying Technique in the Coastal and Offshore Zones for Hydrographic Survey Practice

Technologies sophistication in addition to the Industry 4.0 trend has contributed to the high-accuracy ellipsoidal height from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to be used in hydrography for vertical positioning. The method known as Ellipsoidally Referenced Surveying (ERS) provides direct measurement of sea floor to the ellipsoid and a translation of the reference from the ellipsoid to the precise geoid or chart datum. This article is an attempt to review the nations which have adopted ERS technique for hydrographic survey practice. A few case studies on practicing ERS technique are summarised to determine the ability of this technique. Future outlooks are also discussed on realising the ERS technique in Malaysia and the role of agencies in supporting the ERS realisation. In conclusion, adopting this technique will modernise and indirectly challenge the new norm in hydrographic surveying practice in Malaysia.La sofisticación de las tecnologías*, además de la tendencia de la Industria 4.0, han contribuido a que la altura elipsoidal de alta precisión del Sistema Mundial de Navegación por Satélite (GNSS) sea utilizada en la hidrografía para el posicionamiento vertical. El método conocido como Levantamientos referenciados elipsoidalmente (ERS) proporciona una medición directa del fondo marino al elipsoide y una traducción de la referencia a partir del elipsoide al geoide preciso o al datum de cartas. Este artículo es un intento de revisar las naciones que han adoptado la técnica ERS para la práctica de los levantamientos hidrográficos. Se resumen algunos estudios de casos sobre la práctica de la técnica ERS para determinar la capacidad de esta técnica. También se examinan las perspectivas futuras de la realización de la técnica ERS en Malasia y el rol de las agencias en el apoyo a la realización de la ERS. En conclusión, la adopción de esta técnica modernizará y desafiará indirectamente a la nueva norma en la práctica de los levantamientos hidrográficos en Malasia.La sophistication des technologies, en plus de la tendance Industry 4.0, a contribué à ce que la hauteur ellipsoïdale de haute précision issue du système mondial de navigation par satellite (GNSS) soit utilisée en hydrographie pour le positionnement vertical. La méthode connue sous le nom de levés référencés à l’ellipsoïde (ERS) fournit des mesures directes du fond marin à l’ellipsoïde et\ une translation précise de la référence de l’ellipsoïde par rapport au géoïde ou au zéro des cartes. Le présent article décrit une tentative de passer en revue les nations qui ont adopté la technique ERS pour la pratique des levés hydrographiques. Quelques cas d’étude sur la pratique des levés ERS sont résumés afin de déterminer les capacités de cette technique. De futures perspectives font également l’objet de discussions quant à la réalisation de la technique ERS en Malaisie, ainsi qu’au rôle des agences à l’appui de la réalisation de l’ERS. En conclusion, l’adoption de cette technique modernisera et défiera indirectement la nouvelle norme en matière de pratique hydrographique en Malaisie

Grease Quality Issues on Middle Voltage Switchgear: Corrosivity, Resistivity, Safety and Ageing

Grease products recommended by OEM for conventional 11kV switchgears are generally trusted. Some disadvantages might however exist among them or their supply could be insufficient and lead to use of non-OEM-recommended grease. This paper reports analysis methods to evaluate both types of grease that were recently used in the switchgears at local electrical distribution stations owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad. Hardened, greenish and severely irritating greases probably caused by incompatible compounding, electrochemical reaction, and hazardous components, respectively, were among common problems faced by workers. Eight physical tests and four chemical tests were conducted on 10 grease samples using thermogravimetry, switchgear rig, gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy besides other equipment and standard methods. Grease stability, oil bleeding, flammability of grease droplet and dropping point were among the characteristics determined in the analyses. The results reveal copper corrosion, chemical change, instable and inconsistent grease, and toxics in grease, which surprisingly included the OEM-recommended one. ABSTRAK: Produk gris yang disyorkan oleh Pengeluar Peralatan Asal (OEM) bagi gear-suis konvensional 11 kV secara umumnya dipercayai ramai. Kemungkinan terdapat kekurangan pada produk-produk tersebut ataupun bekalan gris mereka yang tidak mencukupi telah mendorong kepada penggunaan gris yang tidak disyorkan oleh OEM. Kaedah analisis kajian ini melaporkan tentang kedua-dua jenis gris yang kebelakangan ini digunakan oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad pada gear-suis di stesen pencawang elektrik. Gris mengeras, berlumut dan menjengkelkan mungkin disebabkan oleh sebatian bahan yang tidak sesuai, tindak balas elektrokimia dan komponen yang tidak selamat, masing-masing adalah antara masalah yang dihadapi oleh para pekerja. Lapan ujian fizikal dan empat ujian kimia telah dijalankan pada 10 sampel gris menggunakan termogravimetri, pemakai gear-suis, kromatografi gas dan spektroskopi inframerah selain alatan lain dan kaedah-kaedah piawai. Antara ciri-ciri yang dikaji dalam analisis ini adalah kestabilan gris, sifat lelehan minyak, sifat mudah terbakar titisan gris dan takat rendah gris. Hasil kajian mendapati gris ini menyebabkan tembaga terhakis, sifat kimia berubah, sifat gris yang tidak stabil dan mudah berubah, dan juga beracun memberi kejutan kerana pihak OEM tetap mengesyorkan gris jenis ini

Synergistic effect of molybdenum disulphide and butylated hydroxytoluene in lithium complex grease

Lubricating grease is vital as a sealant and provides extra protection for automotive parts, such as bearings. Bearings are subjected to friction and sliding wear, which results in the degradation of automotive or machinery performance. The present article analysed the effect of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as grease additives in reducing the frictional and wear behaviour of steel ball bearings. The experiment was conducted by preparing two formulated lithium complex-based grease with a different blending of additives of BHT only (LCG 01/18) and MoS2 + BHT (LCG 01/5). The formulated greases were compared with two industrial greases as the controlled parameters. Next, the physical characterization of formulated and industrial greases was conducted which includes dropping point test (ASTM D2265-00), cone penetration test (ASTM D217-02) and oil separation test (ASTM D6184-17). Then, the four-ball test (ASTM D2266-01) was performed to identify the effect of additives on the wear and frictional coefficient behaviour. The blending of MoS2 and BHT improves the physical characterization of grease in terms of dropping point and oil separation. The blending of MoS2 and BHT also helps to decrease the wear diameter and frictional coefficient. Nonetheless, further study is desired to gain a thorough understanding of the processes so that an optimal system can be developed for the industry

Report: Special Training on Hydrographic Surveying in Canada 4 June -16 September, 1994

This training was part of Canada Hydrographic Association (CHA) assistance in providing an advanced hydrographic training programme for UTM lecturers at established Canadian University and hydrographic agencies. The financial support for this project was provided by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Two lecturers from the Centre for Hydrographic Studies were chosen for this training namely, Usmuni Din and myself. Overall, we were trained at the University of New Brunswick plus six hydrographic agencies by experienced and skill supervisors. This report will look briefly into the training experienced at all six places and the work they are associated with. The training started in Fredericton at the University of New Brunswick for eight weeks followed by two weeks at Universal System Limited to receive training on the CARIS systems. Next, we went to Vancouver to receive a one day training on the ECDIS systems followed by two weeks field programme on the British Columbia coast with the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Finally, the remaining time were spent at Quester Tangent Corporation to receive training on the ISAH systems, with a short summary and review period at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, British Columbia

Calibration Tests For Underwater Acoustic Transponders Using Kalman Filter

Two tests were carried out for the calibration of underwater acoustic transponders using Kalman filter. Both tests used the Long Baseline Acoustic Positioning method. The first test is known as the relative calibration test and uses observables only from underwater acoustic transponders. This test is for the adjustment of the shape and scale of the transponder array. It requires at least three coordinates to be fixed. The second test, known as the absolute calibration test, involves the observables from four systems (i.e. DGPS, underwater acoustic system, range-range system and hyperbolic system) integrated together to give geodetic position and orientation to the transponder array. The results of both tests are presented

The implementation of post-processing data thinning for multibeam echo sounding data

Multibeam echosounder (MBES) is considered the best innovation in depth measuring technique if full seabed coverage is the foremost concern. Multiple beams are generated through MBES transducer in a fan-shaped swathe across vessel track within fraction of second. From few to hundred of beams in every ping can be transmitted into different sections or angles from nadir beam direction then translated into multiple depth measurements. The rate of ping is subjected to survey area where the shallower the area is, the higher ping rates is expected compare to deeper area. Thus higher MBES data density is produced in shallow water area. In this shallow zone, over sampled or redundancy of MBES data are common. These over sampled data are too dense to be displayed and in consequence to represent the survey area on bathymetric plans. Another factor is these over sampled data make Digital Terrain Modeling (DTM) and contouring more intense especially on the computer processing software. Therefore these dataset should be reduced in term of it size. The process to reduce the size is called data thinning. Data thinning algorithms should be capable in handling high volume of MBES data. In the process to reduce the dataset, one must bear in mind that the process would not jeopardize the integrity and accuracy of final product. To adhere on these requirements, the resolution of the MBES used during the survey and the smallest expected detail to be mapped must be taken into considerations. This paper elaborates on the development of data thinning programs using Microsoft Visual Basic Version 6. Various algorithms namely Douglas Peucker, Single Swathe Reducer and Skip N Points are referred. Comparisons on the final results based on these three algorithms will be discussed in order to decide which algorithm is most favorable to be used in post-processing data thinning for cleaned MBES dataset. Finally the paper summarizes some of the distinguishing features of this data thinning approach