Meet Houssem, Subsea & Survey Manager at Interocean Marine Services. With over fifteen years experience, Houssem provides an insight to his work life and day-to-day responsibilities in a recent Q&A…
> How long have you been part of the Interocean team, and what drew you to the company initially?
It’s hard to believe it’s already been two months since I joined Interocean, time has surged by like a swift current. From the very first day, I was captivated by the company’s bold vision: to pioneer survey capabilities and design solution architectures that redefine what’s possible beneath the waves. What truly drew me in, however, is the people – an inspiring ensemble of professionals whose expertise and enthusiasm light up every project.
Together, we’re not merely collecting data; we’re weaving tradition and innovation into a tapestry of ever‑more efficient survey strategies. It’s a privilege to roll up my sleeves alongside such a team.
> With over 15 years of offshore experience, what aspects of Interocean’s mission or culture resonated most with you when you joined?
With 15 years at sea, I’ve come to cherish two guiding lights in every endeavour: the steadfast respect for those who blazed the trail before us, and the bold curiosity to chart new frontiers. At Interocean, I found both in perfect harmony.
First, our unwavering commitment to safety and environmental stewardship spoke to the traditions of offshore work, honouring the lessons of every vessel, every survey line, and every colleague who’s sailed before us. It’s a culture that treats experience not as a burden of the past, but as a compass for responsible innovation.
Second, Interocean’s drive to fuse cutting‑edge geophysical technology with real‑world problem‑solving ignited my own passion. Here, talented teams collaborate like a well‑tuned ship’s crew, blending time‑tested methods with tomorrow’s solution architectures. That dual respect, for heritage and for horizons yet uncharted, resonated deeply with me when I first came aboard, and continues to inspire every survey we undertake.
> Can you share a brief overview of your career journey before Interocean, and how it led you to your current role?
I cut my teeth in the Tunisian Navy, from Junior Surveyor to Party Chief/Offshore Manager, then overseeing hydrographic and cartographic data for ENCs and the Data Processing department, where I learned the rigors of precise survey planning and data integrity. Transitioning to the private sector, I led geophysical operations in Dakar, crafted high‑win‑rate tenders at Sulmara, and founded Geoconsult and ORDC to deliver tailored survey and data‑management solutions.
Most recently, as Data Solutions Manager at north.io, I architected scalable “Ocean Data as a Service” offerings. Each step, rooted in hands‑on fieldwork and honed by technical and commercial leadership, has prepared me to guide Interocean’s survey programs with both respect for tradition and an eye on tomorrow.
> What does your role as Subsea & Survey Manager typically involve, and how do you contribute to project success on a day-to-day basis?
Each day as Subsea & Survey Manager brings a new challenge, whether it’s inspection campaigns, construction support, drone surveys, or geophysical site characterisation. I guide projects from technical feasibility and tendering through field operations, blending proven methods with cutting‑edge tools. By mentoring teams, adapting on the fly, and upholding strict safety and quality standards, I turn raw data into dependable insights and ensure every mission succeeds.
> What do you enjoy most about working at Interocean?
What I cherish most at Interocean is the spirit of open doors and open minds. Leadership welcomes fresh ideas as readily as they honour time‑tested wisdom, and every colleague brings a story, whether forged in naval decks or in cutting‑edge R&D labs, that enriches my own.
> How do you and the team stay ahead of industry trends in subsea engineering and survey technologies?
Our team’s secret is treating every device in our pocket as a beacon of discovery. From late‑night LinkedIn deep dives to dawn‑light drone demos, our phones deliver the freshest updates on sensor breakthroughs, AI‑driven workflows, and productivity hacks. We then blend vendor workshops, peer‑reviewed research, and in‑house innovation sprints, honouring the lessons of the past while forging tomorrow’s methods. In this dance of tradition and trial, we keep our surveys, and our spirits, ahead of the tide.
> How does your extensive offshore and survey experience enhance the quality and efficiency of your work at Interocean?
Decades spent beneath the waves have tuned my instincts to the ocean’s subtle cues, allowing me to anticipate technical snags long before they surface. That hands‑on heritage guides every survey design, tool configuration, and team briefing, so we sail smoothly from planning to data delivery. By pre-empting pitfalls, tightening workflows, and choosing the right technologies, I help Interocean capture clearer insights faster, and with elegant efficiency.
> What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside the survey lines, I lace up my running shoes at dawn, letting each stride chase away the day’s static and clear my mind. The gym then becomes my forge, strengthening both body and resolve so I return to work with steady hands and a sharp focus.
When I yearn to feed the soul, I dive into a well‑crafted book or set pen to paper, spinning the world’s quirks into satiric poetry. These rituals of movement, muscle, and musing keep me balanced, and ready for whatever tide lies ahead.