The Hartley transform is a real integral transform based on harmonic functions and hassome characteristics similar to the Fourier transform. Most applications in ocean engineering requiring the Fourier transform can also be performed by the Hartley transform. The fast Hartley transform is twice faster and more convenient to handle than the corresponding fast Fourier transform, so it is a real valued alternative to the complex Fourier transform in many applications. The use of the Hartley transform in ocean engineering is presented in detail in this paper, including wave spectral analysis, separation of waves, cross-correlation in PIV technique and expression of equation in the Hartley domain. The examples in the paper show deeply the advantage and efficiency of the Hartley transform over the Fourier transform.