UK. World Hydrography Day focus on capacity and capability in Maritime Safety Information

Thursday, 19 June 2008

World Hydrography Day celebrations this year have been focussing on capacity building – the development of knowledge, capacity and capability in Maritime Safety Information, surveying and paper and digital chart production among established and emergent Hydrographic Offices worldwide.

Capacity building is a key component of the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) approach to achieving its mission and objectives.

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) support this global cooperative effort needed to provide the 21st century mariner with the safest and most up-to-date charts by sharing our skills and knowledge with developing hydrographic offices.

World Hydrography Day highlights this commitment to supporting technology and skills transfer between established and newly-developing Hydrographic Offices in the interests of enhancing global navigational safety, maritime trade and protection of the environment.

The IHO has defined a three-phase development strategy to build national hydrographic capacity.

Phase one focuses on encouraging all states which have navigable waters, to recognise their national responsibilities for the provision of hydrographic services and initiate the collection and dissemination of marine safety information.

This first stage is essential in order to maintain existing charts and publications to enable safe navigation. It can be met either by a state developing a national hydrographic capability or by making an agreement for another state to provide these services on its behalf.

Phase two of a capacity building program involves the provision of advice and training assistance to support the creation of a basic hydrographic surveying capacity in a particular country.
Phase three supports further development of a national hydrographic service including such capabilities as production of paper charts, electronic navigational charts and nautical publications.

Underpinning the IHO capacity-building strategy is a four-step process of awareness, assessment, analysis and action. By proceeding in this coordinated manner, the capacity building strategy will help Hydrographic Offices throughout the world to develop appropriate levels of hydrographic capability.

Most importantly, it will assist States without any existing hydrographic capability to establish the fundamental capacity to comply with international maritime conventions and regulations which is to arrange for the collection and compilation of hydrographic data and the publication, dissemination and keeping up to date of all nautical information necessary for safe navigation as well as for the protection of the marine environment.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 June 2008 )
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