News
Although the HSSA has not contributed to this column for a number of months, the Society is still active and meeting regularly every month in Cape Town. A number of resolutions were passed at recent meetings, the most important being that members are fully behind the initiative to form an International
Federation of Hydrographic Societies.This will have an impact on individual and corporate subscription rates but, as motivated during a recent meeting, the benefits far outweigh the additional annual subscription cost. The Society will ratify the decision at the AGM in early 2005.

Given the well-known fact that there are very few young professionals joining our profession (as reported recently in Hydro international) the HSSA has set aside some funds to try and assist the local educational facilities in promoting courses for hydrographic surveying. Although the funds are somewhat limited, this is a move in the right direction and hopefully during our September General Meeting with educationalists from The University of Cape Town and Cape Technicon we will work together in formulating a plan to make our science attractive to young school leavers.
Due to the successful running of the Technical Awareness Seminar (TAS) in December 2003 the members have agreed to stage the event again and are hoping for an even bigger event in April or May 2005. A working group has been assigned and will start working through the enormous amount of organisation that needs to be completed to ensure a successful event.

For further information on the HSSA and planned activities please contact Aubrey Price (aop@mweb.co.za) or Steve Smith (sms@kfa.co.za). General meetings are held in Cape Town at Royal Cape Yacht Club every last Tuesday of every month, except December. Visitors are most welcome to attend.

Contact
The Hydrographic Society of South Africa. (HSSA)
P O Box 487
Paarden Eiland 7420
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel & Fax: +27 21 702 1870