Page 27 preliminary 1371 



It is also necessary to determine the materials which will be needed for signal 

 building, construction of buoys, etc., which should be on hand at the time field opera- 

 tions are begun. 



All of the necessary forms, blank records, and rubber stamps which will be needed 

 should be requisitioned from the Washington Office. 



1371. Overhaul of Survey Equipment and Instruments 



The various types of survey equipment and instruments that are ordinarily used 

 in the hydrographic survey operations of the Coast and Geodetic Survey are described 

 in chapter 4. 



It is only necessary to emphasize here that the equipment and instruments on 

 board which will be needed for the survey operations, should be overhauled and cleaned 

 and put in the best possible condition by the party before the beginning of a season's 

 work, in order that maintenance work on them during the field season may be reduced 

 to a minimum (see 43), 



As soon as possible after the close of each field season, all excess instruments and 

 those needing overhaul or repair by experienced mstrumentmen should be forwarded 

 to the Washington Office, and the required additional instruments, or replacements, 

 requisitioned at that time. The last minute requisitioning of instruments just before 

 the start of a new season or project shall be avoided. 



Base tapes must be returned to the Washington Office for re-standardization at 

 the end of each field season during which they have been used. Complete particulars 

 relative to their use during the season shall be furnished, including the locality and the 

 general conditions encountered, such as weather, temperature, and terrain. 



Form 12, Requisition for Instruments and General Property, shall be used for the 

 requisition of all instruments and general property from the Washington Office, and 

 Form 573, Letter of Transmittal and Receipt for Transfer of Instruments or General 

 Property, for their return to the Washington Office, or for their transfer between 

 Chiefs of Party. 



14. ORGANIZATION OF OPERATIONS 

 141. General Reconnaissance 



The extent and manner in which reconnaissance for a hydrographic survey is 

 conducted depends principally on the character and extent of the information available 

 prior to the beginning of the project. If the project is a revision survey, very little 

 reconnaissance will be required. The prior surveys will show the disposition and 

 amount of control probably available, the type of shoreline, the depths and character- 

 istics of the area to be sounded, the available anchorages, suitable sites for camp parties, 

 and suitable locations for the necessary tide stations. In fact, sufficient control may 

 be recovered so that new triangulation will not be necessary, and hydrographic opera- 

 tions can be started within a few days after the vessel arrives at the project area. 



Should the project be an extension of the previous season's work, personal knowl- 

 edge of the character of the working ground and conditions to be encountered will 

 enable the Chief of Party to make plans in advance, which will expedite the progress 

 of the survey and coordinate the operations of the various units to the best advantage. 



If the project is in an unsurveyed area about which little information is available, 

 a reconnaissance must be made before planning the work. A tentative scheme of 

 triangulation should be laid out and the type of signals to be used should be determined. 



