The theme of this issue is ‘Monitoring Networks in Hydrography’. There are at least two meanings of the word ‘network’ in our profession. One means a network of sensors monitoring the physical properties of the medium we work in and on. Examples of this kind of network are described in the article on the NOAA PORTS-programme and the Mexican Tidal network. Another meaning of ‘networking’ is provided in the article entitled ‘European Seafloor Observatory Network
(ESONET)’. This article describes a project that gives the industry a chance to participate and contribute creative experience, knowledge and assets to a European Commission-funded project. So if you missed this project in the flow of electronic papers from Brussels (despite your own ‘network’), see this paper as a starter for information.
In regard to ‘networks’ of cables and pipelines, when looking at the long-term it is wise to invest in a world-wide cadastre system wherein data on cables, pipelines, bottom characteristics etc. are being kept up to date. This not only saves money on future route-planning/surveys, it also has important safety aspects. I doubt if most countries have a complete and up-to-date cadastre underpinned by law to secure the information from both governmental institutions and private sector companies. If I am correct here, who is going to change things for the better?

I used part of my holidays to sort out magazines and publications. There are striking differences between Annual Reports that I receive. Some companies and governmental institutions (e.g., HOs) see it as a well-finished PR item, with beautiful illustrations and interesting to read. Others keep their annual reports very sober. As for government institutions, I think you can work very hard - for example out at sea - but if you do not show your results and what you stand for this will, in the long-term, influence your allocated budget.
One of the more pleasant things I did recently was to read the newly published book ‘As it Was’, which bundles all the columns of that title that have appeared in Hydro international since 1997. If you do not have time to read it now, buy it and save it for the Christmas-holiday period.
The number of reactions to the articles published in Hydro international in the form of a ‘Letters to the Editor’ is rather low. However, in this issue we publish such a letter, which might interest our readership. If you see this as an encouragement to react to our content, the publication of the letter will serve two purposes at the same time.

As a new member on our Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) we welcome Dr Donald M. Hussong. Now President of Fugro Seafloor Surveys, Inc., he has been a developer and user of high-resolution seafloor swath mapping systems for over 25 years. While a professor at the University of Hawaii he led the team that developed the SeaMARC II deep ocean swath bathymetric side-scan sonar. Then, in 1985, he founded a private company to utilise similar technology for commercial surveys. This company is now part of the Fugro group.

Enjoy reading,