Hydrographic Society Benelux (HSB)

Christmas Workshop
The Hydrographic Society Benelux (HSB) has held its Christmas workshop in Utrecht, on 16 December. The theme of the afternoon was ‘Hydrographic data management, processing en presentation’. It was clear that the theme has a lively interest in the hydrographic community, because over 80 people were willing to spend their Friday afternoon at the workshop. The chairman of the day, Niels Kinneging from Rijkswaterstaat, was pleasantly surprised by it.
Various speakers approached the topic from different angles.
Ebelien Van der Velde discussed the importance of data management for Rijkswaterstaat and the current developments in the central database system WADI. WADI offers a general data storage solution for all water measurements of Rijkswaterstaat. Secondly Mark Pronk from CARIS showed that current technology makes integrated data processing and data management possible. Advanced visualisation shows the true value of hydrographic data. Rob Lambij showed the need to integrate different information in a GIS system for the North Sea. Observations of anomalies in combination with other information can result in identification of objects on the sea bottom.
After the break the value of hydrography for archaeological investigation was presented by Seger Van den Brenk. In 2006 the EU project MACHU will focus on the preservation of the cultural heritage at the sea bottom. The last presentation by Joep Roseboom showed a true Benelux co-operation in the Database Scheldes, that is used to produce up-to-date nautical charts of the Scheldt river and estuary.
After the presentations the chairman of the Educational Fund of the HSB presented the prize winning dissertations on hydrography of 2005. The first prize was won by Pim Kuus on his thesis on the practise of hydrography in dredging projects. Pim currently studies at the University of New Brunswick in Canada and could not be present. The second prize was won by Merlijn Van Tol. He has done research on the integration of GPS positioning and ADCP measurements in the QLiner system.
All participants could discuss the topics and renew acquaintances during an informal drink at the end of this successful workshop.

Hydro 2006
The Hydro 2006 exhibition booth-sales runs outstanding. The organising commitee will arrange to open a second floor for those companies that do not have reserved yet. Be there on time for the space is limited.
Official Conference sponsors are wanted. At this moment only one main sponsor is tied in. Which one? Find the logo on the site. Want your company logo there too? Contact the conference by e-mail at [email protected].
The organising comittee is happy to announce that several institutes have accepted our invitation to send their Hydrographic Surveying vessels. From the Netherlands and Belgian Navy the Snellius and Belgica will berth for this event.
Find the latest information on our website www.hydro06.com.

Contact
HSB
p/a Shipmen bv
Binnen Kalkhaven 201
3311 JC Dordrecht
Tel: +31 (0)78 – 63 10 381
Fax: +31 (0)78 – 63 90 711