Geospatial services company, AAM, recently announced the launch of a dedicated Shallow Water Survey Team, with hydrographic surveying expert Andy Waddington appointed to lead the team.

The announcement follows AAM’s merger with Vekta Pty Ltd in April http://spatialsource.com.au/2013/04/23/aam-merges-with-vekta/ , and represents another significant investment in Australia’s fast-growing geospatial sector.

Under Waddington’s leadership, the newly formed team will provide geospatial solutions to support government, environment, resources and infrastructure projects in shallow water environments.

AAM’s Executive Director, Brian Nicholls said that the announcement represented a major addition to AAM’s diverse range of geospatial services and technology.

“The interaction between natural and man-made features in the coastal zone creates unique and complex management challenges,” said Nicholls.

“This near-shore region is subject to increasing pressure, as 44% of the world’s population lives within 150km of the sea and the vast bulk of world freight is transported via the ocean. Andy’s knowledge of both traditional and modern survey theory and practice will assist our clients with managing these challenges.”

A former ship’s captain in the Royal Navy, Waddington has been active in the development of bathymetric LiDAR and remote sensing surveying techniques, particularly in shallow water and the near-shore region.

He is a qualified FiG/IHO Cat A Hydrographic Surveyor with 25 years of surveying experience, including two years on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy. He also holds a BSc in Systems Management and an MSc in GIS and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors, the Nautical Institute and Chairman of the Hydrographic Society (UK) SW Region.

“I am looking forward to joining the dedicated team at AAM in order to build on the company’s significant experience and bring new solutions to the unique and challenging shallow water area,” said Waddington.