UKHO Celebrates World Hydrography Day (UK)

The UK Hydrographic Office internal celebration of this year’s World Hydrography Day took place on Friday 16 September.

Every year the International Hydrographic Organization and its member states’ Hydrographic Offices celebrate World Hydrography Day. This is an important opportunity to increase the overall public awareness of the vital role Hydrography plays internationally and to celebrate the achievements made in this field.

The theme for this year’s celebration looks to recognise the importance and significance of the contribution made by people. It takes as its theme: “Human Resources – the important element to the success of Hydrography”.

The Executive Committee, led by Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, UK National Hydrographer, held a short celebration for staff to say ‘thank you’ for their hard work and dedication and to express their pride in the way that they contribute to ensure the UKHO – and hence hydrography – continues to enjoy the world-wide recognition it deserves today.

The UKHO provides world-class cartographic expertise supported by experts in geodesy, tides, and standards, law of the sea, wreck information, maritime safety information and a host of other essential Hydrographic services.

Day by day UKHO staff provides a variety of products and services to the Hydrographic community, which include:

• Providing high-quality, tailored products to the RN, MOD, NATO and foreign navies across the world;

• Ongoing training in support of sister Hydrographic Offices (in 2010 they delivered training to 145 students from 41 countries);

• Advice and consultancy to organisations developing Hydrographic and cartographic capability, including the provision of expert technical advice world-wide to any government or commercial organisation;

• Technical advice and assistance to customers in the use of UKHO products and services.

Two awards were created specially for the event, one for an individual, and one for a team in recognition of their contribution to the success of World Hydrography. The celebration started with the award ceremony for the winners, followed by a BBQ lunch served by senior managers. A relaxed enjoyable lunch was had by all.

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Source: UKHO, September 23, 2011;