The World Hydrography Day in 2008 was marked more widely and solemnly than in previous years. This was prompted by the 150th anniversary of the birthday of the outstanding Russian hydrographer General Andrey Ippolitovich Vil’kitsky (1858–1913). On this occasion, the Department of Navigation and Oceanography (DNO), Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and the Hydrographic Society, Russia, organised a conference. The conference took place on 20th June in the DNO assembly hall. Participating were officers and employees of the DNO and other hydrographic divisions of St Petersburg, HSR members and invited speakers from other organisations.

The graduation ceremony of the St Petersburg Naval Institute took place on the quay of the Neva River on 21st June. Among the graduates was a group of officers-hydrographers. The HSR Council awarded the honorary HSR diplomas to two of these graduates. TheProfessor A. P. Belobrov diploma(hydrography) was awarded to graduate Alexander Kochedykov and theProfessor V.A. Snezhinskiy diploma(hydrometeorology) was awarded to graduate Konstantin Koshkin. The diplomas were presented by the HSR President, Professor Dr N. Neronov, who wished all young officers success in naval service and professional work.