World Hydrography Day Celebration in Monaco

World Hydrography Day was celebrated in Monaco with a reception on board the Japan Coast Guard training vessel Kojima on 30 June 2015. Local dignitaries, government and diplomatic representatives, together with other invited guests boarded Kojima, where they were greeted by the Commanding Officer, Captain Tetsushi Mitsuya, and Robert Ward, President of the Directing Committee of the IHO. The reception was graced by the presence of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco.

The theme for this year’s celebration - Our seas and waterways - yet to be fully charted and explored - highlights the fact that much of the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters remain unsurveyed. The President delivered a speech which highlighted the theme. He laid particular emphasis on the initiatives that the IHO is undertaking to improve the situation.

Crowd-sourced Bathymetry Working Group

The President highlighted the objectives of the newly formed Crowd-sourced Bathymetry Working Group as well as the growing emphasis that countries are placing on marine spatial data infrastructures as a means of making all available depth data more accessible for the better management and sustainable use of the seas, oceans and other navigable waterways.

Kojima was berthed in Monaco’s main harbour, Port Hercule, during a special visit as part of her extensive global training cruise for over 40 cadets under training. During the visit of Kojima, the cadets and their Captain visited the International Hydrographic Bureau where they were briefed on the roles and activities of the IHO.

Image: HSH Prince Albert of Monaco presents a crest to Captain Mitsuya.