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Welcoming Brand Ambassador Chandana Rathnayake from the South East England, UK (covering EU and Sri Lanka remotely too):
How did you get into surveying? I began my career as a hydrographer in the Sri Lanka Navy, where I was introduced to seabed mapping, navigation safety, and survey operations. That early exposure developed into a long-term profession. I later advanced through formal IHO Category A and B training and transitioned into the offshore industry. Today, I lead hydrographic operations in the UK, working on complex geophysical and cable route surveys. My journey has always been driven by practical field experience combined with continuous learning.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? As an ambassador, I want to make geospatial and hydrospatial careers visible and understandable to young people. I plan to support school engagement and simple workshops that explain how surveying works in real life. I will bring practical examples from offshore projects, including equipment, data, and real use cases, to make learning engaging. I also aim to connect the initiative with industry by opening opportunities for exposure to vessels, technology, and career pathways.
Tell us a bit about what you do: I am the Head of Hydrography Department at EGS International, responsible for planning and delivering offshore survey projects. My work involves multibeam bathymetry (MBES), positioning systems (GNSS and USBL), and data quality control for engineering and cable route surveys. I also lead training and mentoring within the department, ensuring surveyors understand both the theory and practical application of geospatial data. A key part of my role is turning complex survey data into reliable information that supports safe and informed decisions offshore.
Anything else you’d like to add? Hydrospatial and geospatial surveying are often hidden professions, yet they play a critical role in energy, environment, and global infrastructure. From my experience, young people become highly engaged when they see real-world applications rather than theory alone. As both a professional and a parent.(of 3 kids), I understand how to communicate these ideas in a simple and relatable way. I am keen to support not only students, but also teachers and parents, by providing clear insight into career pathways and the skills required to enter this field.