Page 753 81 



CHAPTER 8. RECORDS AND REPORTS 



The importance of clear and comprehensive records and reports of a hydrographic 

 survey cannot be overemphasized, for the value of a survey, no matter how complete 

 and satisfactory the field work may be, is impaired if the records and reports are incom- 

 plete, unintelligible, or inadequate in any respect. Satisfactory records can be obtained 

 only by the exercise of good judgment and constant attention and care on the part of all 

 concerned. 



With the complexity of modern hydrographic surveying the number of necessary 

 records and reports has increased; it is no longer possible nor desirable to confine these 

 to Sounding Records and a Descriptive Report. It is incumbent on the Chief of 

 Party to see that the records are arranged in the most convenient manner for all con- 

 cerned, that all necessary records and reports are submitted, and that they are appro- 

 priately cross-referenced for easy reference and complete understanding and intelligi- 

 bility. All records and reports which pertain to one hydrographic sheet, and one only, 

 should bear clearly the registry number of that survey. (See 154.) All records and 

 reports submitted on a seasonal basis, or any other basis so that they are applicable to 

 more than one hydrographic survey, should bear the registry numbers of all of the 

 surveys to which they are applicable; and the Descriptive Report accompanying each 

 survey should refer to all of the special, seasonal, or other records and reports which 

 contain any data which are pertinent. 



81. SOUNDING RECORD 



The Sounding Record (Form 275) is the most important record connected with a 

 hydrographic survey. It is the official record of the soundings, and generally of the 

 position data. It should be complete and self-explanatory. From it, sometimes 

 supplemented by accompanying records, it should be possible, without difficulty or 

 doubt, to replot the hydrographic sheet at any future date. All entries and notes should 

 be clearly understandable at any future date, when perhaps radically dift'orent methods 

 will be in use. 



Form 275, Soundings, is the basic record book for all hydrographic surveys, except 

 wire-drag surveys which are recorded in Form 411, Wire Drag, and deep-sea wire 

 soundings which are recorded in Form 376, Soundings with Wire. Under certain condi- 

 tions, another form of Sounding Record may be used (see 817). Generally the same 

 volume shall contain the complete record of time, depth, position data, and miscel- 

 laneous entries and notes; although at times, when it is more convenient to do so, the 

 position data may be recorded as a separate record. In Radio Acoustic Ranging (R.A. 

 R.) the part of the position data consisting of the time intervals and R.A.R. distances is 

 always recorded in a separate book, the Bomb Record (see 8311). 



The sounding of each hydrographic survey unit shall be recorded chronologically 

 in a separate series of volumes (temporarily consecutively numbered) for each hydro- 

 graphic sheet. Under no circumstances shall hydrography to be plotted on two or 

 more hydrographic sheets be intentionally recorded in the same volume. 



465382—44 49 



