Reef Team Survey Form and Instructions
Up-Dated  8/30/2010

Team survey forms and instructions can be obtained from this page. At "click Here" below, the team survey form  will appear. You can then print the form by clicking on "File" on the menu bar at the top left of this page. Then select "Print", from the drop down menu.  Click Here, for the team survey form. For an editable Microsoft Word version of the team survey form, Click here. 

To print these instructions for filling out the team survey forms select "File" on the menu bar then select "Print"

Check the Surveys Needed page of this web site, to select a site to survey. Fill out a rough copy of the team survey form, in the boat,after you surface. Use one survey form for each for each dive.

Boat Registration 

Boat  Registration  Number is the  boat registration number on the hull. Add the captain's name and if different, also the boat owner's name.

Position Readings

Record GPS Lat and Long in hundreds or thousands of a minute.Take a position reading when drop the anchor and  if possible take another reading before you pull the anchor. Before you submit the report please compare these readings to those in the Port Authority pamphlet. It is usually better  not to rely on recalling the coordinates  from the memory of your unit. Record only non-calculated L/L or TDs. You should be using the WGS-84 Datum setting on your GPS unit. List the GPS units used. 

Diver Data

List all survey divers, Time in, Bottom time, Depth, and the your estimate of the distance covered on the reef.
Fly your dive flag just before you put divers in the water.

Bottom Material

Record the type of material on the reef and if the reef is scattered or continuous. Note the maximum height of the material or the wreck. State if the wreck is upright or degree of listing. Indicate the amount of growth because it indicates the age of the deposit.

Bottom Composition

Record if the bottom is sand and/or shell or mud. Test the hardness of the bottom by estimating the extent of penetration of your hand. To observe prevailing current, Look for ripples in the sand. Note the height and distance between the ripples. Note the direction of the ripples in the sketch and if any scouring or silting was observed. The ripples are usually 90 degrees to the direction of the prevailing current. Note any new  scouring, sanding , breakup or listing of a ship  in your summary report.

Water Conditions

Estimate the bottom current and note its direction using your compass. Note water temperature and where you noticed a thermocline. Note surface water color and estimate horizontal visibility. Note any usual matter or algae. Specific gravity or salinity can  be measured using a Sea Test gauge, available at marine aquarium stores.

Weather Conditions

Estimate wind direction, speed and wave height. Note time of high tide at the inlet from the NOAA weather broadcast, newspaper or other source.

Biological Data

Estimate the number and size of fish or invertebrates seen during survey using  the REEF count codes as described on the form. As an option, list the count instead of the code. The length may be placed near the name or count.  The order of the life listed on the team form is as on a REEF survey form so that it is easy to transfer the fish count data from the team survey form to the REEF survey form. REEF does not record invertebrates  You can submit data on-line at www.reef.org . The submission of the information to REEF is optional. Fish  and Creature  photographs or videos made will help us identify fish or invertebrates  that you have  seen during the survey. Stae if any photographs or videos were made during the survey.

Sketch

Please use another another sheet of paper for a sketch and some notes. Note the location of your anchor, boat and the deposits. Indicate your survey route and the if possiblr the heading of wrecks. Note if other boats were on the site. Show the direction of North on the sketch.  survey sketch

Summary Sheet

A short summary sheet or paragraph is needed only for each different site visited ...not for each dive made at the same site After checking your survey form briefly describe, in the summary, your most significant observations. To see a sample summary page, Click A typical Summary Page.

How to Submit Data

Bring the summary, the signed survey form(s) and only the team members boat fuel/oil and air expenses to the next meeting. Use REEF's  on-line entry option on their web site www.reef.org . to submit the data to REEF.

Please dive safely and conserve our local marine life so that  you and others can  continue to enjoy the time we spend offshore.

Artificial Reef Sites   /  Reef Notes /   Surveys Needed 

Artificial Reef Fish / Other Artificial Reef Creatures

  Sketch of Reef Site Locations /  Other Web Sites  /  Home