UKHO Celebrates World Hydrography Day 2011 on Board HMS President (UK)

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO) celebrated World Hydrography Day 2011 at a reception held on board HMS President in London on June 22.

The event was attended by Rt Hon Andrew Robathan, Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Welfare and Veterans, Mike Penning, Parliamentary Under-secretary of State and Minister for Transport, Sandra Rogers, UKHO Board Non-executive chair and Gilles Bessero, Chair of IRCC and winner of last year’s Alexander Dalrymple Award.

Other guests included: Admiralty Distributors, Shipping Companies, Defence Officers and senior managers from key agencies and representatives from UKHO. It was an enjoyable evening with significant networking amongst all guests.

This year’s WHD theme was ’Human Resources – the important element to the success of hydrography’.

In his welcome speech, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive, emphasised the key role that the UKHO plays in ensuring the success of hydrography and how could not do this, “If we did not have dedicated, loyal, hardworking and highly skilled people – our officers, staff and colleagues around the globe that contribute to improving the safety of life at sea.”

Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, National Hydrographer, built on this theme by citing several of examples of achievements of people in Hydrography, from individuals within UKHO, delegates who have been on their internationally accredited cartographic training programme to notable national hydrographers dispensing their responsibilities with limited resources.

In addition, Mike Robinson announced the winner of this year’s Alexander Dalrymple Award as Rear Admiral Andreasen for his outstanding contribution to Hydrography.

Mike Robinson read the citation and emphasised that Rear Admiral Andreasen, “Has supported and challenged our own thoughts with sound reason and a firm yet fair diplomatic touch.”

The award is named in honour of Alexander Dalrymple FRS, who set up what is now the UKHO in 1795 – Dalrymple is renowned today as a leading figure in the world of hydrography.

The Alexander Dalrymple Award is a symbol of recognition for outstanding dedication and contribution to world hydrography and, as such, is an extremely prestigious award in this sector.

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Source: UKHO , June 30, 2011;