Hydrographic Society Benelux

Hydrographic Society Benelux Celebrates WHD
A workshop on International Hydrographic Co-operation – supporting safe navigation emphasised the importance of the World Hydrography Day for the Hydrographic Society Benelux. The members were invited to the Hogere Zeevaartschool in Antwerp, Belgium, for a varied and interesting programme. Following a presentation by the nautical school, Prof Marc Vantorre (Ghent University and co-operating with MARIN, the Netherlands) elaborated on ‘Equivalent seafloor – interpretation of multi-beam soundings from nautical perspective’. Kaatje Vandaele and Ilse Laeremans, Flemish Hydrography, followed him with a talk on ECS production in Flanders and the Netherlands. After a short break, Francis Baetens and Bart Basyn (DAB Loodswezen) gave a presentation on the applications of ECS in their pilot organisation.

As education is important in the profession, Capt Axel Annaertd from the nautical school hosting the event presented the new hydrographic education introduced to the programme of the organisation. Capt Patrick Blondé invited the attendees to the social drinks, celebrating the occasion of World Hydrography Day and concluding the event.

Hydro12: Share the Knowledge!
The organisation of Hydro12 has achieved a perfect overview of current hydrographic research, which will be presented from 13 to 15 November 2012 on board the SS Rotterdam in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. More than 60 papers will be presented during presentations and displayed as posters – of course there will also be interesting keynote speakers reflecting on the theme ‘Taking Care of the Sea’.

Confirmed keynotes are from Peter Harris, founding member of the GeoHab habitat mapping organisation and involved in the Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment (GRAME).

Mark Heine is managing director at Fugro Survey B.V. in the Netherlands. He holds an MSc in Geodetic Engineering from Delft University of Technology, where he graduated in 2000.

Stephen Shipman MBE is a hydrographic specialist and has been a thriving force in the development of international hydrographic education.

Terje Torsnes is senior marine geologist at the Geological Survey of Norway, focusing on seabed sediments and morphology with extensive experience from cruise planning, offshore data acquisition, laboratory work, processing, interpretation, reporting and publishing the results of the research in scientific publications and online.

In addition to the presentations, papers, keynotes and workshops, there will be plenty of opportunity to network during social events, the breaks and of course in the trade show which stretches over nearly the whole length of the vessel.

Would you like to know more and join Hydro12? All information can be found on the website www.hydro12.com, where registration is possible. The SS Rotterdam is also a hotel, and Hydro12 delegates will be offered reduced rates. If you still need to book your flight, the organisation has arranged a special discount if you travel with SkyTeam member airlines.